Section 8 tenant not paying her rent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who rents to Section 8 is just a fool. I never rent to Section 8 and thus have had 0 problems with tenants paying rent over the last 15+ years in DC. I’ve had literally thousands of tenants over this time. It’s not difficult people.


Either renting to or living near section 8 housing is a disaster waiting to happen. Those folks will always stop paying rent the moment they have an excuse not to, that was before the pandemic as well. And living next to them is a nightmare, the city converted some apartments to section 8 in one of the nicer neighborhoods and everyone was too afraid to speak up for fear of being labeled racist and whatnot. Within a year, arrests for drugs increased in the area, there were more car break-ins, constant police due to domestic disputes and all sorts of other issues, and some moron let his pit bull out near the elementary school and it almost mauled a kid.

I would let my rental units sit vacant for 50 years before I rented to Section 8. I view it as my civic duty to the neighbors of the properties.

Tons of market rate tenants not paying rent in DC and there is nothing you could do about it. Ateast you are getting paid something from the section 8 voucher tenants. Even regular tenants are taking advantage of the COVID situation in DC.

[Anonymous]

I have 70 and none are paying below market and none are taking advantage of the covid situation. Consider why that might be? Of the 70, how many are Section 8? Not a single one. Yes, I have some vacancies, but I wouldn’t screw my neighbors for some goberment money.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that if she is denied section 8 she may not move out anyway! And you will see zero rent. She may be waiting for one of those rent help programs to roll out. You need to keep accepting the 80% but find a way to evict her ASAP once the moratorium is lifted.

[Anonymous]

May be that's your case and you decided to keep them empty but it's what brings you the most cash.
I have a few and friends have a lot in DC with market rate tenants and about 20% of them are not paying rent and more than 40% are late in rent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s funny that so many people think the eviction bans are a big fat gift to the renters not paying rent at present. The truth is that once eviction moratoriums expire, all the unpaid rent will be due immediately or eviction processes and small claims lawsuits will apply. Those that aren’t paying rent either 1) honestly can’t afford to, or be 2) are incredibly stupid.

There are a lot of people that just scammers and they know how to work DC gov against the landlords.

This. There are so many people who are pros at gaming the system. Spend an hour in landlord tenant court. They know how to stay in a place without paying for as long as possible. Then they leave at the last minute and disappear leaving the home with extensive damage. Good luck finding them after that. The moratorium bought these people extra time.
Not saying that is everyone. I'm sure there are some people who genuinely needed it. But it was also a huge windfall for scammers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think landlord can apply for any kind of government assistance. She is gaslighting you. Tenant is the one who applies.

Let the water get disconnected if the bill is so high and she's not paying for any of it. First of all, she's not paying rent and then you have to pay for her water in addition to that?

I live in a BMR building in another state and our management is applying on behalf of tenants. I am thinking of not paying too (this is a large organization not a small landlord). I am just not sure I can get away with it, but I have allied for future assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think landlord can apply for any kind of government assistance. She is gaslighting you. Tenant is the one who applies.

Let the water get disconnected if the bill is so high and she's not paying for any of it. First of all, she's not paying rent and then you have to pay for her water in addition to that?

I live in a BMR building in another state and our management is applying on behalf of tenants. I am thinking of not paying too (this is a large organization not a small landlord). I am just not sure I can get away with it, but I have allied for future assistance.

This can't be correct that landlord could apply on behalf of tenants. What forms are they using?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think landlord can apply for any kind of government assistance. She is gaslighting you. Tenant is the one who applies.

Let the water get disconnected if the bill is so high and she's not paying for any of it. First of all, she's not paying rent and then you have to pay for her water in addition to that?

I live in a BMR building in another state and our management is applying on behalf of tenants. I am thinking of not paying too (this is a large organization not a small landlord). I am just not sure I can get away with it, but I have allied for future assistance.

This can't be correct that landlord could apply on behalf of tenants. What forms are they using?

Landlords can apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on behalf of eligible tenants. I don't know what org in DC is implementing the program, but all states plus DC received funds.

The law is here: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr133/BILLS-116hr133enr.pdf

The relevant section for landlords -
f) APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE BY LANDLORDS AND OWNERS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), nothing in this
section shall preclude a landlord or owner of a residential
dwelling from—
(A) assisting a renter of such dwelling in applying
for assistance from a payment made under this section;
or
(B) applying for such assistance on behalf of a renter
of such dwelling.
(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON
BEHALF OF TENANTS.—If a landlord or owner of a residential
dwelling submits an application for assistance from a payment
made under this section on behalf of a renter of such dwelling—
(A) the landlord must obtain the signature of the tenant on such application, which may be documented electronically;
(B) documentation of such application shall be provided
to the tenant by the landlord; and
(C) any payments received by the landlord from a
payment made under this section shall be used to satisfy
the tenant’s rental obligations to the owner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My section 8 tenant has not paid and tells me to apply for government assistance because apparently that is available for landlords, according to her.
Also, the unpaid wssc water bill is almost $1500. Water is not being shut off for non payment. She blames me because she cannot get paper work for assistance and that is my fault.

Why is it your fault she cannot apply for assistance? She hasn't paid for a year. At some point let it shut off. Eventually they will shut it off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think landlord can apply for any kind of government assistance. She is gaslighting you. Tenant is the one who applies.

Let the water get disconnected if the bill is so high and she's not paying for any of it. First of all, she's not paying rent and then you have to pay for her water in addition to that?

I live in a BMR building in another state and our management is applying on behalf of tenants. I am thinking of not paying too (this is a large organization not a small landlord). I am just not sure I can get away with it, but I have allied for future assistance.

This can't be correct that landlord could apply on behalf of tenants. What forms are they using?

It’s another state as I said.
They do need the tenant’s signature and some documents from them but they are doing the legwork so to speak.

[Anonymous]

What is the situation in DC or Virginia? Can the landlord apply over there for tenants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My section 8 tenant has not paid and tells me to apply for government assistance because apparently that is available for landlords, according to her.
Also, the unpaid wssc water bill is almost $1500. Water is not being shut off for non payment. She blames me because she cannot get paper work for assistance and that is my fault.

Why is it your fault she cannot apply for assistance? She hasn't paid for a year. At some point let it shut off. Eventually they will shut it off.

Wssc is not shutting off water. Landlord cannot request for water to be shut off

[Anonymous]

If you don't pay the water bill a lien can be put on your property even if the water bill is in the tenants name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My section 8 tenant has not paid and tells me to apply for government assistance because apparently that is available for landlords, according to her.
Also, the unpaid wssc water bill is almost $1500. Water is not being shut off for non payment. She blames me because she cannot get paper work for assistance and that is my fault.

Why is it your fault she cannot apply for assistance? She hasn't paid for a year. At some point let it shut off. Eventually they will shut it off.

Wssc is not shutting off water. Landlord cannot request for water to be shut off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't pay the water bill a lien can be put on your property even if the water bill is in the tenants name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My section 8 tenant has not paid and tells me to apply for government assistance because apparently that is available for landlords, according to her.
Also, the unpaid wssc water bill is almost $1500. Water is not being shut off for non payment. She blames me because she cannot get paper work for assistance and that is my fault.

Why is it your fault she cannot apply for assistance? She hasn't paid for a year. At some point let it shut off. Eventually they will shut it off.

Wssc is not shutting off water. Landlord cannot request for water to be shut off

The water Bill is ALWAYS the responsibility of the landlord. It can’t be put in anyone else’s name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't pay the water bill a lien can be put on your property even if the water bill is in the tenants name.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My section 8 tenant has not paid and tells me to apply for government assistance because apparently that is available for landlords, according to her.
Also, the unpaid wssc water bill is almost $1500. Water is not being shut off for non payment. She blames me because she cannot get paper work for assistance and that is my fault.

Why is it your fault she cannot apply for assistance? She hasn't paid for a year. At some point let it shut off. Eventually they will shut it off.

Wssc is not shutting off water. Landlord cannot request for water to be shut off

The water Bill is ALWAYS the responsibility of the landlord. It can’t be put in anyone else’s name.

Rental agreement says tenant pays and water is not included in the rent.
So if the renter leaves and doesn't pay, you have to settle the account before the next tenant can have it in their name