Section 8: How To Prepare For Meeting A Landlord

Why is the Section 8 program so popular? Because its housing vouchers help pay a portion of the rent. In doing so, they make it easier to save your cash while also allowing you to live in safe, decent housing without breaking the bank.

There’s a misconception that getting a Section 8 voucher means you’ll live in public housing, when that’s not necessarily the case. Instead, you can use your voucher to live where you want, provided that the rent is within a certain range. This allows you to pick between single-family homes, apartments, and townhomes.

Since you pick the property, you’ll be dealing with a landlord, just as if you were looking to rent a place independently. Even though having the voucher means that you’re almost home, you’ll still need to convince the landlord to accept you as a tenant. If not, you’ll have to use your voucher somewhere else.

To ensure your interview with a landlord goes well so you can get the keys to your new place, follow these tips:

1. Take classes.

Community Action Agencies exist all across the country, and they can help you prepare for everything that Section 8 entails. For instance, you can take classes on becoming a renter, how to be a good tenant, and housing readiness. Not only will these classes give you valuable information you can use in the future, but you can also mention them to any potential landlords. Think of the classes as instant resume boosters that show you’ve taken the proper steps to become a responsible tenant.

2. Get free copies of your credit reports.

A landlord will run your credit and may ask about any past issues. By having your credit reports handy, you’ll be able to answer questions easily.

3. Fix any substance abuse issues.

If you’ve had problems with substance abuse in the past, be sure to complete treatment programs. Use this as proof to your landlord that you won’t be a problematic tenant, despite any past mistakes.

4. Set the interview.

Call the landlord in a quiet setting where kids aren’t yelling, or dogs aren’t barking. Be polite when asking for a meeting, and avoid talking about past problems. You can discuss them in person, where you can better defend yourself if need be.

5. Be professional.

Show up to the interview on time (15 minutes early is best). Dress your best. You may also want to keep your kids at home if you know they’ll be loud and hard to handle, as you want the interview to go smoothly.

6. Be inquisitive.

Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions about the home. The more, the better, as it shows you’re serious about moving in and are interested in what the property has to offer.

7. Ask about screening.

If the home passes your initial eye test and you like what you see, ask the landlord how they screen tenants so you can get the ball rolling. If they screen you on the spot, be polite and don’t blame any issues on past landlords. Accept responsibility instead.

8. Get a reading on the landlord.

You can be direct and ask the landlord if they’d be willing to rent to you. If they say they’re unsure, ask what you can do to show them you’d be a worthy tenant.

9. Move on.

If the landlord seems hard to work with, rude, or if the property has problems, don’t be afraid to move on to the next opportunity.

Now that you see how to have a successful interaction with a Section 8 landlord, it’s time to apply for a housing voucher, if you haven’t already done so. You can do so by going here and learning more about the Section 8 program.