New Jersey landlords - How desirable is TRA (Temporary Rental Assistance)?

Question

Hi everyone!

A prospective tenant asked me if I'm OK with TRA. It was the first time I heard of this  program. The lady said it's like Section 8 but for a limited term of one year.

Did anyone deal with this program? Should I keep away from it?

Desiree Villavizar · Answer

even though this post is old it really bothers me. TRA is for people that are homeless and living in a shelter. WFNJ helps people with job training that will enable them to pay the  rent on their own. This is the reason they don’t have jobs. Not because they are lazy.Yes there is an evaluation every 6 months so if the person discountinued the job training they no longer qualify. There  is no guarantee  but don’t judge a group of people on some bad experiences. There are people like myself that take this help seriously. It is a second chance. Getting this assistance is not easy and Welfare demeans you and treat you the way they want to because there is no consequences for them.  I find myself stuck  in a shelter for 32 days now looking  for an apartment  and getting no’s from everyone. What is the guarantee with someone that has a job. None. You cannot predict the future.

Darren Sager · Answer

I highly recommend speaking to your attorney about it.  I've heard different opinions from different attorneys.   Rely upon your own attorney's advice, and not personal opinions from others.

Kevin Hill · Answer

It's funny you post this, just got a call on a new rental listing I have in an urban area and the person wanted to know if the landlord would consider a tenant with temporary rental assistance. My landlord client was looking for at least a year. The representative said the tenant would be re-evaluated after 6 months to see if they still qualified for the assistance and they couldn't guarantee a year long lease.

At least with Section 8 its guaranteed money. New Jersey is very tenant friendly, the eviction process takes forever.

Aly W. · Answer

We've evicted 2 tenants in NJ, and while it did feel like forever, it was 6 weeks and 8 weeks. Yup, that's almost 2 months rent lost in each case, but from horror stories I've heard, it was fast. A NJ landlord has to move immediately to evict, and it can be done for tenants with or without children.

Aly W. · Answer

RUN!! We've had 2 tenants with TRA and as the name clearly states, it's temporary. The agency may tell you it's good for up to a year. Well, they may *qualify* for up to a year, but they do quarterly reviews (at least they used to) and if the tenant's situation changes or the agency funding runs short, they will terminate the funding immediately. No notice at all to the landlord. The tenant is expected to notify you, and maybe they will, maybe they won't.

Because they have nowhere else to go and no funds (and usually no job),  you'll be paying for an eviction.

You can't say no to them if they ask if you accept it, but you can likely find a reason to reject their application.

Aleksey Vinogradov · Answer

btw, can I reject someone with TRA on the grounds of the low income (less than 3 times rent)?

Aleksey Vinogradov · Answer

thank you guys for your input, I'll definitely stay away from this risk!

New Jersey landlords - How desirable is TRA (Temporary Rental Assistance)?

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