Renting to Section 8 Tenants in Las Vegas

[Donovan Plummer]

My property manager advised me to consider renting to Section 8 tenants.  This is my first property in Las Vegas and I am still learning the peculiarities of this market, being an out of state investor.

I have heard mixed feedback about renting to Section 8 tenants.  So I welcome insightful and constructive feedback from my fellow BP'ers.  For example, what are some of the proven Dos and Donts when renting to a Section 8 tenant?

Thanks,

Donovan

[Tiger M.]

I totally disagree with the provided advice.

We don't rent section 8 because of the games the inspectors play. I will provide one example: Annual HUD inspection was completed and a list of repair items was required. We sent the handyman over to complete the repairs within 72 hours. Tenant caused every single repair item. Tenant denied access and rescheduled. At reschedule date no one was home. It was rescheduled again and he was able to complete 95% of the items. He scheduled a return after a HomeDepot run and no one was home. Finally he got in and fixed the remaining items as time ran out for reinspection. The inspector came back to reinspect and failed the unit over a cracked switch plate cover in the bathroom. The penalty was a $497.00 rental abatement. For a $0.25 item. The owner had spent about $575 to meet the repair list.

There is absolutely no reason in this market to subject yourself to the hassles and propensity for property damage. If you get a higher rental rate, it's usually offset by the cost of returning the property back to habitat condition. There are plenty of qualified tenants for any property type in Vegas right now.

Best wishes.