Additional rent over and beyond section 8’s “fair market rent”

[Frank Maratta]

I just finished a two family rennovation and it came out beautiful (granite counters, SS appliances, back splash, the works), lots of interest from prospective tenants at the rents I have listed ($1850, and $1650- first and second units, respectively).

99% of these tenants are section 8. I know from dealing with section 8 in the past that they set what’s called a “fair market rent”. Out of this fair market rent the government pays a portion and the tenant pays a portion.

The problem is that I know from dealing with section 8 in the past is that they are going to be a few hundred dollars off from what I am asking for rent and their “fair market rent”.

I have lots of interest in the property, and all the tenants I have screened have offered to me that they will pay their portion of the voucher and the additional difference of what section 8 doesn’t cover, in order to get to the rents I’m asking.

I’ve heard of people doing this all the time, but Could this potentially land me in trouble with the government/section 8?