Inherited Section 8 tenant

[Tamara Herman]

I have this duplex in Oregon I’m looking at purchasing. It’s a 1 bed 1 bath on both sides. The problem I’m running into is there is a long term section 8 tenant in one side but I’m thinking of turning both sides into short term rentals for travel nurses or Airbnb. Oregon is tenant friendly and The realtor acts like the tenant is only evictable if I or a close friend moves in or I update the unit(which I’m hoping to since it needs it)but wouldn’t they just move back in? I’m not in position right now to live there but maybe a few months down road. Does anyone know anything about getting inherited section 8 tenants out? They have been paying $600/month for the past 15 years and it just doesn’t make sense to keep them. Would cash for keys be legal for section 8? Any help would be great! Thanks

[Dena Puliatti]

I'm in Huntsville, AL, so they may do things differently in your state.  To initiate a move themselves, the tenant must give 60 days notice to Section 8.  You can issue a 30 day notice and override that 60 days since you are the landlord.  Alternatively, you could ask to see the payment schedule for your zip code, and apply for the current market rent.  Make sure you check with zoning on your AirBnB.  Huntsville is cracking down hard on people that are doing short term rentals in areas that are not approved. The last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money getting your unit ready for a short term, furnished lease, and then get a fine and shut down.