My rental is 4b, can I accept 3b voucher?

Question

Hi, I have a 4b rental looking for section8 tenant.

Listing price is 2600

The payment standard of this zip code for 3b is 2100 and 2800 for 4b.

The tenant claim that she has a $3000 voucher but is 3b. She could be able to cover the rent.

But will the housing authority approve? Or I have to get tenant who has 4b voucher.

Thank you.

John Underwood · Answer

You won't know until they run their affordability formula.

It changes based on things like if the tenant is working and can contribute to the rent. These seem to have the highest rent payments from the section 8 share of the rent.

You won't really know till you fill out the tenant request forms.

One good thing is that they increase their rent allowance every year. You just have to send in a one-page document to request an increase each year on the anniversary of the HAP contract. Very easy to do. Make sure to have the window when this is open on your calendar each year, so you don't forget to ask for it.

Also Section 8 tenants tend to stay a long time if you take care of your property.

Lily Wang · Answer

@John Underwood

Thank you for your inputs. Since the max rent for this area is 2100 for 3b. Will the government pay more than that?

John Underwood · Answer

You can take a voucher for a 3 BR on your 4 BR house.

The section 8 office will run an affordability formula to see if the tenant can afford the house.

The government will pay 100% or some portion of the rent.

You cannot accept any side rent from the tenant that the Section 8 office has not approved or you risk getting into hot water.