failed section 8 inspection

[Carlos Ptriawan]

I understand if the Sec8 inspection failed, the HA will stop payment. My question is how long until the sec. 8 tenant shall leave the property if the owner doesn't make the requested repair (or late in repair) ? Also before they're leaving entirely, does it mean they have free rents?

[Kyle J.]

@Carlos Ptriawan  Whenever I've had a failed inspection, it's usually for something very minor, like gutters need to be cleaned, fix a door weatherstripping, a crack in the ceiling needs to be patched, etc.  I've also had failed inspections for things that are solely the tenant responsibility, like overgrown grass/weeds in the backyard (tenant is responsible for the yard/landscaping per the lease).  I honestly think the inspector just wants to find SOMETHING to list or they feel like they're not doing their job.

They're pretty flexible on the timeline for repairs though.  Usually, they'll even allow me to self-certify that they've been done.  If they decide (for whatever reason) that a re-inspection is necessary, that appointment is generally scheduled 21-30 days out. I'm never present for it though (or the initial inspection for that matter).

Keep in mind that, although the Section 8 program is a federal program, it's administered at the county level by the local Housing Authority offices so I imagine your experience could vary somewhat.

And one final comment, even if a particular repair item is determined to be the "tenant responsibility", they do have some motivation to fix it because - if the Housing Authority were to stop payment - it doesn't mean "free rent".  Quite the contrary.  The lease agreement is a contract between you and the tenant.  If the Housing Authority were to stop payment, the tenant would still owe you the rent.  They just wouldn't have the Housing Authority paying a part of it.  And they don't want that.  So it's in their best interest to make sure those payments keep coming.