All Forum Posts by: Bradley Bogdan

@Jeff Rabinowitz You've mentioned that landlords can be charged with a crime a few times in other threads, but I haven't been able to find any instances of where this would be the case (outside of those cases where any landlord would be charged with a crime). Could you share where you've found this information?

I'll back up @Chris Martin that the Raleigh PHA is pretty notorious for its request to lower rents on its Sec. 8 tenants during sequestration. I can't emphasize enough how awful a move that was in terms of landlord relations, but also how rare it was (to my knowledge, no other area has EVER done something as broad and sweeping to lower rents such as that move). Section 8 in any other area is likely to be a much improved experience, as it is an entirely locally administered federally funded program. 

That said, I'm still confused as to why you haven't discussed this with the PHA. Generally, when I have issues in multi-way partnerships, I attempt to address it with the party before lawyering up, as there's usually a good chance there's a legitimate misunderstanding or lack of information. I still suspect that if the PHA knows she's breaking her lease, they will deny the new lease she's attempting to sign. Or maybe not, it is the but I'd sure ask first. Its cheaper than a lawyer. 

Could you be a bit more specific? Are you looking at selling a rental to someone who is focusing on a portfolio of low income rentals, or are you looking to sell a property with section 8 tenants currently in residence?

@Account Closed , obviously tough to say based solely on what I've read so far, but it sounds like the PHA might not rate your second bedroom as a second bedroom for the voucher, which would essentially disqualify your prospective tenant. Take a few pictures and your questions to your local PHA office and ask for an opinion if you want to check ahead of time, if you want to stick with this applicant. 

@Rafael Saldana has an excellent point. The folks at the PHA probably don't know she has a continuing lease obligation, especially if this is beyond the initial lease term. This isn't something they automatically check when someone wants to move. One of the rules that your tenant signed off on when they received their voucher was that they wouldn't violate the lease, so usually a PHA will back you on something like this. It sounds like you're fed up with the tenant anyway, but no need to take it out on the PHA. 

On a general side note, the folks I know at PHAs are used to people (usually tenants, but also sometimes landlords) coming in loaded for bear, so to speak. When there's an issue, going in and talking face to face and being friendly usually gets you well past the cold, rule bound approach they're forced to take with people coming in with a hot head. 

@Curtis Bidwell is correct, each area's office handles things a bit differently. If you call them and give them a heads up on the purchase and your payment info, they'll let you know the time frame they'd expect to be able to start paying you and stop paying the previous owner. 

@Hui Wang , the best reviews I've seen for Property Managers have been right here. If you throw out a few names of who you're considering, there should be a good number of local investors who will be able to weed out the bad ones for you. Good luck!

I tend to feel very strongly about income discrimination and the laws protecting people from it, however, I don't see this instance as being much of an ethical dilemma. Her current income doesn't meet your requirements, and she doesn't have a source of public assistance or other income at this time to support her financially. I can understand the pangs of guilt looking at what kind of a situation she could be in a couple months, but you are a landlord, not a social services agency. If I had applied, not had sufficient income, and told you I was about to leave my job due to an injury, but had not yet applied for (or had applied but had not yet been awarded) injury compensation yet, I would hope you would tell me no in a heartbeat. I see this situation as being no different. 

Where things would get tricky for me (and likely legally) is if she was eligible for child support, had applied and had been awarded it, but the (presumably) father wasn't paying. I'm guessing your legal obligation would vary widely between municipalities. 

Good luck and let us know what you decide/how it all works out. 

 And I always thought they were teaching me "Just say NO!" in school in reference to drugs! :-)

@Account Closed is totally correct in that this is illegal according to the rules of the Section 8 agreement. The fact that your tenant is trying to encourage this work around speaks volumes about what you can likely expect from them in the future. I would be VERY hesitant to rent to this person even if the voucher covered the full asking price at this point. You seem to have a professional tenant for an applicant. 

I would personally explain that your asking price for the apartment is over what the voucher allows, which means that they aren't able to rent your house. The simple dollars and cents explanation of denying them the house should keep you out of any trouble and leave them to try and sucker another landlord.