Anyone Know the Ropes on Section 8 in Columbus Oh?

Question

Hello!

Looking at a 4plex with section 8. Was told they are month to month but not sure what that means with Section 8. I read that you have to give a 60 days but then I read another article (not sure of its accuracy) that you cannot evict without cause. Anyone have experience in Section 8 in Columbus Oh and also can you raise rents?

Robert Ellis · Answer

Best person to talk to is a property manager. I can tell you i sold an 8 unit last year with section 8 and it took about 3 times longer than they thought to get them out. i'm not sure why, i've never bought a prop with section 8 in it but we sold plenty around columbus.

Peter Lohmann · Answer

Section 8 vouchers in Columbus are administered by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). They are annoying to deal with. That said:

-Month to month section 8 is no big deal. You can give them notice to move out (I would recommend 60 days but not sure if you can do 30 - check the lease). You do not need cause to give them notice. Of course you do need cause to evict (as in, post a 3-day notice and go through the court proceeding), but if they refuse to move after the given move-out date, that would be considered cause.

-Rent increases must be requested from and approved by CMHA for section 8 tenants. You must give the tenants 60 days notice and then submit some paperwork and wait for a reply. You can request this a maximum of once every 6 months and if approved, you must wait 12 months to request again. We do this automatically for our client's properties on an annual basis and typically modest (and even significant) rent increases are approved.