Section 8 tenant not paying her rent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the feedback.

First of all, tenant has a steady job and still works where she was employed before Covid. Second, I have cut her enough break by not taking rent or foregoing late payments for several months. She has been constantly asking for maintenance/repair items which I am getting fixed asap.

Is there anything else I could do before contacting DCHA? I don’t want to jeopardize her chances of getting section 8 again but don’t want her to stiff me with the rent payment either.

Nope. You need to contact DCHA. If you want to be really lenient then you tell her ahead of time that you will be contacting DCHA if she hasn't paid 50% of what she owes (give an EXACT amount) by xx date and then the final 50% (again, EXACT amount) by xx date. Document everything so it can be verbal but followed up by email. But frankly I wouldn't go that far. I'd just report her immediately to DCHA. You have a responsibility to yourself and your family (if you have one) to remain financially solvent and stable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s probably too late to advise you not to buy rental properties in DC becaus renter’s rights....

Give them 30 days notice to pay you the back rent or you’ll start the eviction process.

Can't start the process. In DC right now, because of COVID, you can't kick someone out. Quite frankly, you should be happy that you are getting the 80%. I know people who are renting at market and people are paying rent. We have a friend whose tenant is stiffing them on $3500 per month and they also have a job. They work for the state department and are using this as an opportunity to get over.

Your friend should contact diplomatic security. That kind of debt could put a security clearance at risk.

That's a really good idea. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"without any cause"? Lady/duuude, it's a pandemic out there. Folks are having trouble putting food on the table. If you're rich enough to have an investment property, why don't you sit on your hands a minute and see if you can squeeze out a little empathy for people who don't have a savings.

DCUM has a chronic empathy deficit.

So since op managed to save enough to pay for an investment property of a down payment for an investment property, op should feel empathetic enough to share it with a stranger?

[Anonymous]

I always assume my section 8 tenants will not always pay their 20% or so of the rent. Be happy to get the 80% from the government because any they do pay is gravy. I am more concerned about finding tenants who do not destroy the properties.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

Well, in this case, let’s go with incredibly stupid. The renter has a job and refuses to pay rent. I’d work to get her evicted ASAP.

[Anonymous]

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.

IME as an attorney many renters that don't pay rent are judgment proof or are very difficult to collect from. This is often mitigated by a relatively speedy court process but with the moratoriums some tenants are able to amass significant arrears.

[Anonymous]

Call the HOC worker and file for eviction even if they aren't evicting. Only do essential repairs and tell her you will do anything else when she pays the rent. Stop being nice. Stop giving her a break. Send her a bill both by email/text, by paper mail with delivery confirmation and certified mail.

[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.

IME as an attorney many renters that don't pay rent are judgment proof or are very difficult to collect from. This is often mitigated by a relatively speedy court process but with the moratoriums some tenants are able to amass significant arrears.

She'll never see the back money. At best, HOC will pull the voucher.

[Anonymous]

Be sure you can evict before you complain to DCHA. They can pull the voucher and you'd still have a nonpaying tenant you can't evict!

[Anonymous]

File in landlord-tenant court. YEs, the court may not be open yet, but you can still file. Then it'll be heard as soon as they open. The key is to start the process. It takes forever due to notice requirements and so on.

I'm a landlord in MD also, and I'd file on a tenant after 5 days of rent being overdue. You can always pull the filing by not sjhowing up to court, as then it's thrown out anyway.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'll try to start filing the eviction paperwork but the mayor of DC has a freeze on eviction. It is correct that the paperwork would start but eviction would happen when the freeze is lifted. She would also owe me any court costs, etc required in the eviction process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be sure you can evict before you complain to DCHA. They can pull the voucher and you'd still have a nonpaying tenant you can't evict!

Definitely check this. It is a fantasy that you will get the rent and legal costs from a section 8 tenant who has not been paying. She will never pay again and you will probably eventually have to evict, but at least keep getting the 80% until the eviction moratorium is lifted. As soon as you start eviction proceedings, she may destroy your property, because she will lose her section 8 voucher which is A Really Big Deal. (and again, you will never get a dime in compensation for the damages.)

[Anonymous]

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.

That money is gone, for the most part. Deadbeats aren't going to cough up the cash later - it's not like most are setting it aside in escrow for some mysterious reason. When this rent is due, they've still got to pay future rent. They'll focus on that. At best you're going to be able to get rid of the tenant. At worst, you're paying them off to leave.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP's question...but why would anyone take on a Section 8 tenant? I'm assuming D.C. has a tight rental market and landlords get their pick of renters.