Screening Section 8 Tenants - Baltimore County

[Ken Chud]

Hi folks

Is landlord in their right to verify that voucher pays in the amount sufficient to cover the rent, before showing the property to a prospective tenant? Prior to covid, County Office of Housing instructed landlords using the Voucher letter to screen tenants, because no two vouchers are the same. Today, when renting a unit, i have come across some tasty renters that refuse to show their voucher letter, telling me the Housing Office told them not to share it with landlords, and pushing up their BS discrimination claim on me. Does anyone have any info on this?

[Tim Jacob]

With credit score I screen which is legal in most places including Maryland.  I would double check where you live for that.  I usually manage a higher asset quality that I can screen like that and not waste much time.  If you are in an area where getting 700 plus credit score applicants is hard don't know another way for you to pre-screen them for a showing.  Be careful with anything else.  You can get in trouble for income discrimination in the state of Maryland keep in mind.  If you are in this sort of predicament why not just let them see the place then if they want to follow through start processing the voucher.