Prepping a House for Section 8

[Marty Rogachefsky]

I purchased a SFH in Cleveland, Ohio and I'm having trouble renting it out. It's a 3 bed, 1 bath renting for $1100 in a C/B- neighborhood.
It could use some updating, but otherwise rentable. However, my property manager is having the hardest time finding a qualified tenant. I found one self-paying tenant with a 530 credit score and eviction history. Another is Section 8 and unemployed.
I’m open to Section 8, but my property manager says that the house won’t qualify and that it will need repairs such as:

• Fresh paint in some areas
• Garage door (garage is good, but door is missing)
• Filled cracks in driveway
• Power washing of outside
• One New window (has very small hole)
• Phone jack removed
• Lawn mowed

I’m curious if this is all necessary for Section 8. I can understand some things, such as new window, but are cosmetic improvements such as paint and power washing really necessary for Section 8 approval?
Also, any general advice on finding a well-qualified renter or screening tenants would be appreciated. It’s been on the market for 30 days at this point and I’m worried that I’m not going to find someone to rent to.

[Jamie O'Connell]

Quote from @Marty Rogachefsky:

I purchased a SFH in Cleveland, Ohio and I'm having trouble renting it out. It's a 3 bed, 1 bath renting for $1100 in a C/B- neighborhood.
It could use some updating, but otherwise rentable. However, my property manager is having the hardest time finding a qualified tenant. I found one self-paying tenant with a 530 credit score and eviction history. Another is Section 8 and unemployed.
I’m open to Section 8, but my property manager says that the house won’t qualify and that it will need repairs such as:

• Fresh paint in some areas
• Garage door (garage is good, but door is missing)
• Filled cracks in driveway
• Power washing of outside
• One New window (has very small hole)
• Phone jack removed
• Lawn mowed

I’m curious if this is all necessary for Section 8. I can understand some things, such as new window, but are cosmetic improvements such as paint and power washing really necessary for Section 8 approval?
Also, any general advice on finding a well-qualified renter or screening tenants would be appreciated. It’s been on the market for 30 days at this point and I’m worried that I’m not going to find someone to rent to.

Each city and state is different but I will say that for all my section 8 properties in NY they are all very common. No chipping paint (but only if have a child under 6) garage door isn't needed. Cracks in driveway are fine unless like multiple inch difference in heights (tripping hazard) and the window would need to be fixed. Phone jack and lawn are not an issue. 

Honestly if you just treat it like would I be ok living here if I had absolutely no other choice, you will be fine.

I love my section 8 tenants. Still chase people down on their $50 portion but id rather chase them on $50 v $800 for full rent. I also like the yearly walk through to make sure everything is ok cause it keeps the property kept up.