Section 8: Do you rent to Section 8 or Not?

[Marina Shlomov]

Hi all,

I own many properties in Atlanta, GA and over the years have had many Section 8 tenants. Not all were a disaster, but the paperwork and the unreasonable inspection demands have finally got me down and we stopped renting to section 8. However, we still have a few properties that are Section 8 occupied. Over the years, we've had several expensive and negative experiences with the voucher program occupants and in the last month, one of our section 8 tenants has moved out. Now, we knew what to expect as we did an inspection prior to releasing them from the lease, communicated all that with the Section 8 program (they lost their voucher after their case worker so the video and the pictures), but still...I don't wont to be so negative and deny potentially "decent" people a good house to live in, but look at the pictures below!

We did the thorough screening, called references, checked on the property twice a year and interim maintenance reports, but I am still flabbergasted. The property is destroyed! At least $35,000 worth of damage (we are licensed builders and that would be our cost to repair). I didn't even know which photos to show you. Every single square inch of this property is like this. All the new tiles are broken, all the vanities that were brand new are destroyed, all new appliances are gone, cabinets - destroyed, stairs - need re-carpeting!

My thought is, I must have done something wrong somewhere! Don't know where and of course, at this point don't even want to hear the word Section 8 tenants.

Guys, what did I do wrong? What else could I have done to prevent this? Most of this damage occurred in the last 4 months, since we were there before and didn't see any of it.

What do you think? Do you rent to section 8 tenants? Did anything like this ever happen to you? What can I do to prevent this? I'm disgusted, shocked (mostly at the audacity of the lifestyle), angry at myself, my partner, my guys - just about at everybody, but mostly at section 8.

[Dawn Anastasi]

I have just one Section 8 tenant and so far there's been no issues.  I've been in the house multiple times.  The carpet is nice and she has everyone take off their shoes when they come in the house.  Not everyone is like that.