Section 8 previous owner issue

[Michael Paling]

Hey BP, I’m curious what other people’s thoughts are on my situation….

I bought my first duplex in Michigan to house hack back in mid-June. The remaining tenant is section 8 and the HA covers 100% of rent at the moment. I contacted the HA about 1 month before closing of the pending purchase. I also quickly submitted all requested forms to them before July. The problem that I’m having is the previous owner will not communicate with the HA and I’m told refuses to work with them anymore. Including signing over their contract for rent payments to me. The local HA staff is asking the State Office if they can proceed anyways, but nothing yet. 

has anyone else been in this situation? The tenant’s lease is up on September 15th, so I’m starting to consider not renewing, but I’d rather not since it’s late in the season. 

[John Underwood]

Send them a copy of your deed and tell them not to send payments to the old owner.

Send them your bank info so they can direct deposit into your account.

That is all I had to do when I purchased an existing section 8 property.