What is the maximum amount I can raise rent?

[Damian Cummings]

Hello, I recently purchased a 16 unit property in Maine. 10 out of 16 of the units are on some sort of state housing program, but the rents are much lower than where they need to be. All of these units are 2 bedroom 1 bathroom. The section 8 housing allowance for 2br 1bth in the Portland area is $1,592. Most of the units sit at around $1,200 currently. My question is, would it be illegal for me to raise the rent up to $1,592 for the people who are on section 8? Considering most of these are 100% paid for by Maine State Housing, it wouldn't effect what the tenants pay at all for the most part. I am wondering is Maine State Housing will try to fight me on it or give me a hard time about it, even though that is the going rate and the past landlord was not proactive about increasing rent year to year. Thanks in advance for the advice if anyone has experience in this area. 

[Ed Emmons]

Section 8 is all on lease and I believe it can only be raised upon expiration of term, unless things changed recently. Once the term is up they can be raised to FMV. Some offices have given me resistance in the past where average local rents were lower but I've always won when I make the case for the added expense, risk to property and management involved with the average section 8 tenant.