Standard application criteria?

Question

I see more and more tenant friendly or landlord horrible state laws.  I have had to take two ESAs non-disclosed at time of lease signing this year.  How do I make a set of criteria that seems so crazy no one lives up to it but I pick the most qualified?  Or, do I have to have someone qualify based on the criteria?  Kansas City is now trying to pass a rule that a landlord must accept HUD and other vouchers for rent.... I don’t see how if the voucher is $600/month but the rent is $1500 for that place?  To me it’s a no brained that the person can’t afford to live and pay the bills?  I’m not in KC yet but I think this new development will keep me out.  So, I’m looking for a standard set of criteria and then is it possible to overlook a criteria at discretion or does that negate all criteria?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

@Jonathan Wildy you misunderstand how vouchers work. If rent is $1,500 a month and the voucher is for $600, the tenant has to pay the difference. They don't get to rent your house for $600.

I don't like vouchers. I don't like people that use vouchers. Yes, there are some that need legit help but most of them get the voucher and then suck on that teet until the milk runs out instead of making an effort to improve their situation. I've also had some pretty bad voucher tenants that have stopped paying rent and caused thousands in damages, apparently from drugs. But some Landlords have good experiences with vouchers and the money does come in on time.

Marc Winter · Answer

@Jonathan Wildy, if I understand your post correctly, it sounds like you are not familiar with the way Sec 8 portable vouchers work.  Normally, when we have to evict a Sec 8 recipient for non-payment, we report it to the local Housing Authority and the voucher is almost always revoked.  Most tenants receiving this type of subsidy will not risk losing it all for a small monthly co-pay.

That does not mean the tenants won't destroy the house; however, that too can be reported to the Authority and if a civil suit is brought against the tenant and you win a judgment, you might be able to force the Authority's hand and bump the tenant off the voucher program.

Is it all worth it?  You'll be the judge of that.  The most important thing we've found is a proper screening of the potential tenant and consistent inspections of the property they occupy.

Jonathan Wildy · Answer

@Nathan G. Right if they have a voucher to cover a $600 place the govt says they can’t afford a place bigger... why would I say ok come live for free because my expectation is they aren’t going to pay anything and then wait for me to evict them and even worse... if I say they aren’t paying then said voucher goes away and I get zero.  I also get no help I. Evicting a bad tenant and the govt doesn’t pay a deposit.  I think it’s the worst program out there.  Thankfully most of my properties are very old and do not qualify for one reason or another.