Structuring a Section 8 lease when getting $0 rent from tenant

[Jeff Lockshine]

I have a tenant who's rent will be subsidized 100% by section 8.  Their only responsibility is $50/mo for water.  They have been a bit of a trouble tenant for the past six months but having a guarantee of paid rent makes it a good deal for me.  How do I structure a new lease that will hold them responsible, not just for her water payment, but general upkeep, damage, behavior etc. that would normally be in a lease agreement?  I already plan on month to month and I want to make it very clear that any deviation is grounds for breach of lease and quick removal.

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

You typically provide a completed copy of your rental agreement to the Housing office during the Housing approval process. You can find their typical 12 page contract here , which becomes an addendum to your agreement, assuming yours is approved. The reality is, if tenant causes damage, they won't have money to pay for repair, and, if you complain to the Housing office, they usually respond one of two ways: Withhold your rent until everything is fixed and re-inspected, or, they may kick the family off of the program. It then becomes your problem, and your expense, to evict them, with zero rent coming in.