Section 8 ask me to pay back 5 year rent for $44,000

[Jason Yuan]

5 years ago, i advertised my house for rent for $780. a lady said she has a section vouch for $760, but she can pay the difference of $20 from her pocket. so we signed the lease for $780, but she changed the amount to $760 for the copy sent to section 8. the lease between I and the tenant and section 8 was signed by my realtor for $760 because I was not in the States. I was not aware and was not informed that it is not allowed to collect that $20 from the tenant. after 5 years, Section 8 found out about this $20 this month and made a decisions as follows:
1, i have to return all money i received from section 8 for last 5 years for a total of $46,000;2, i have to return all money i received from the tenant for last 5 years for a total of $7,600;3, i am not allowed to rent my house to section 8 tenant for next 5 years.
I really do not think it is fair. How could I gave my house to section 8 tenant for 5 years for free, and in the meantime, I had to pay the property tax, maintenance and management. Should I find an attorney to fight their decision?

[Marc Winter]

Section 8 and their portable vouchers--they make it simple enough to read the terms, conditions, and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant participating in the program.

The time for an attorney and review of what you were getting into should have been before you committed what is actually a big NO-NO (as per section 8 guidelines).

I say this with no love for Sec 8, and I am sorry to hear of your troubles; however, with almost unlimited resources and with the Gubment on their side, you should consider yourself lucky they do not prosecute you for fraud.

Get yourself a good attorney!