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Complete Landlord's Guide to Section 8
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) can provide stable, guaranteed rental income. This guide covers becoming a Section 8 landlord, setting your rent, passing inspection, and staying compliant.
Why Landlords Accept Section 8
Guaranteed Income
The Housing Authority pays their portion directly to you each month, even if the tenant doesn't pay their share.
Stable Tenants
Voucher holders are pre-screened and have strong incentive to maintain good standing.
Market-Rate Rents
Payment standards often match or exceed market rates, especially in SAFMR areas.
Long-Term Leases
Annual leases with automatic renewal provide stability and reduce turnover costs.
Becoming a Section 8 Landlord: The Process
List your property
Post on GoSection8.com or contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA).
Accept a voucher holder
Review applications and select a qualified tenant; screening for credit, income, and rental history is allowed.
Submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA)
Provide property details and your proposed rent to the PHA.
Pass the HQS inspection
Your property must meet all Housing Quality Standards before payments begin.
Sign the HAP contract and lease
The Housing Assistance Payments contract is between you and the PHA; the lease is your standard agreement with the tenant.
Stay compliant year-round
Pass annual re-inspections and, note that some states and cities have source-of-income laws that restrict refusing a voucher applicant outright; check your local rules.
Setting Your Rent
Payment standards are the maximum amount the Housing Authority will pay toward rent, typically set at 90-110% of the Fair Market Rent (FMR) or Small Area FMR (SAFMR) for your area. To maximize your Section 8 income: check the payment standard for your ZIP code, set rent at or near it, and make sure your proposed rent meets HUD's Rent Reasonableness requirement compared to similar unassisted units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I screen Section 8 tenants?
Yes, you can screen tenants using the same criteria as non-Section 8 tenants: credit, income, rental history, and criminal background. One practice worth reconsidering: basing income requirements on the tenant's own share of the rent rather than the full contract rent, since the Housing Authority's portion is already guaranteed. Requiring 100% of contract rent from every applicant can function as a near-automatic denial of voucher holders. This isn't a nationwide legal mandate outside jurisdictions with their own source-of-income law, but it reduces real legal risk. See our full tenant screening guide for the legal breakdown, including Fair Credit Reporting Act notice requirements.
What if the tenant doesn't pay their portion?
You can evict for non-payment just like any other tenant. The Housing Authority portion continues, but you can pursue the tenant's portion through standard eviction procedures.
Can I charge a security deposit?
Yes, you can charge a security deposit. However, you cannot charge more than what you'd charge a non-Section 8 tenant, and it must comply with state and local laws.
What happens if the voucher is terminated?
If a tenant's voucher is terminated, you have options: the tenant can pay full rent (if they agree and can afford it), you can negotiate a new private-pay lease, or you can begin standard eviction procedures.