Renting to a Section 8 resident can be a great way to secure reliable rental income while providing housing to those in need. This guide walks property owners through the entire process, from advertising the property to securing a lease with a Section 8 tenant.
💡 The official name of Section 8 is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
Before we can rent to a Section 8 tenant, we must advertise your property to attract potential renters. Listing a property to attract Section 8 applicant is no different than listing to attract a non Section 8 applicant.
Once we begin to receive inquiries, we will schedule showings with prospective residents. During the showings we:
highlight the property’s features and condition.
explain the requirements for renting, including our resident screening criteria.
provide rental applications and discuss the next steps.
Prospective tenants must complete our [rental application](https://kileymgmt.managebuilding.com/Resident/rental-application/new). We screen all applicants based on:
credit history.
rental history and previous landlord references.
criminal background check (complying with Fair Housing regulations).
income verification (if applicable).
⚠️ While Section 8 ensures a portion of the rent is covered, tenants are responsible for paying their share. It’s crucial to verify they can afford their portion. Also, Public Housing Authorities do not perform any character screening on applicants.
Once we approve a Section 8 applicant, they provide us with an RFTA (Request for Tenancy Approval) packet form from their local Housing Authority. We then:
fill out the required property details.
provide all requested documentation.
include the desired rent amount and lease terms.
submit the completed RFTA to the Public Housing Authority for review.
After submitting the RFTA, the Housing Authority will schedule an inspection of your property to ensure it meets the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) Standards. Common inspection areas include:
functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
no plumbing leaks or electrical hazards.
adequate heating and cooling systems.
doors and windows that function and lock properly.
no health or safety hazards.
⚠️ If your property fails the inspection, we will need to make the necessary repairs and schedule a re-inspection.
The Public Housing Authority will review the requested rent and compare it to market rates. They may approve, negotiate, or deny your requested amount based on:
fair market rent for similar properties in the area.
tenant’s income and voucher limits.
HUD-established rent reasonableness standards.
If the rent is approved, we will receive a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract outlining the terms.
Once the resident is approved and the rent is set, we will:
sign a lease with the resident (must match the terms submitted in the RFTA).
sign a HAP contract with the Public Housing Authority.
provide move-in instructions and collect the the security deposit.
⚠️ Landlords are not allowed to charge any rent above what is detailed in the HAP contract.
The Public Housing Authority will begin issuing payments for the portion of rent covered by Section 8. It can take up to 16 weeks for the first payments to arrive, but rest assured, all payments in the contract will be received. After the initial deposit, remaining payments are typically made monthly and deposited via direct deposit. The tenant is responsible for paying their portion directly to us.
To continue participating in the Section 8 program, we must:
maintain the property in compliance with NSPIRE standards.
address any tenant or Public Housing Authority concerns promptly.
complete annual inspections and recertifications.
follow Fair Housing laws and lease renewal procedures.
🚨 Patience is Key. Working with Section 8 requires patience. Like any government program, the process moves slowly—sometimes slower than molasses. Inspections, approvals, and payments can take longer than expected, so please adjust your expectations accordingly.