Working with Section 8 Applicants That Do Not Have RTA on Hand

[Ken Chud]

Hi folks.

I am a Baltimore County, MD Landlord that specializes in Section 8 rentals, and facing a problem with filling a vacancy since November 2018 and now is Jan 6 2019. My Gosection8 posting generates good response, but none of the callers  actually have RTA on hand.   That means none of them can be considered as a serious customer, and my house stays on the market as vacant.  This could be a seasonal variable where very few families move in winter, but I have never had vacancy this time of year and can't tell. 

Are there are any strategies to deal with this situation?

I thought about asking for proof of current Lease Amount and Tenant Portion to predetermine if their voucher will pay, Holding Deposit to hold the house in their name. I am not sure if this is a good way to hold on to prospective tenant, or if this is illegal. Seeking fellow landlord advise on what to do. 

[Ian Barnes]

@Ken Chud, I do all voucher tenants too.  Now, since BRHP has implemented there "opportunity areas", all first year applicants can only apply in certain areas in the county(ie Parkville, Towson, Lutherville, Catonsville, etc). So now your only pool of applicants are people moving from one house to another.  A lot of landlords in the city and county are starting to be forced to take market tenants.  Vacancy rates are going up for anyone in the voucher program across the board in Baltimore County.