Imagine being able to pay your rent on time every month while also having plenty of extra cash leftover. Doing so would not only give you some much-needed peace of mind, but it would also help you save for an emergency fund, pay down debt, and more.
What could make this financial fantasy a reality? A housing voucher from the government’s Section 8 program. How does it work? The voucher gets paid directly to the landlord, and you pay whatever’s left of the rent.
We won’t dive any deeper into how Section 8 works in this article, as you can learn more about the program here. What we will discuss is what takes place after you get your voucher, which is having to find a place to live and convincing the landlord to let you live there.
With a voucher in place, you can pick where you want to make your home. This opens up the door to living in a standard apartment, townhome, or even a single-family home. The place you pick will be private property. In other words, it’ll have an owner or landlord you’ll need to deal with instead of the government. So just like any other rental agreement, you’ll have to make a solid impression on the landlord before they can accept you as their next tenant.
How can you make that good impression? Here are some pointers:
Before the Interview
There are some moves you should make before looking at potential properties or talking to landlords. Be sure to complete them as quickly as possible so you can start Section 8 house hunting:
Complete a substance abuse program – A history of substance abuse could be seen as a negative in a landlord’s eyes. By completing a program, you can show you’re on the right path.
Take classes on being a responsible renter – You can boost your resume by taking classes set up by your local Community Action Agency. They’ll teach you about renting, being a good tenant, and more, and any landlord would be pleased to know that you completed them.
Collect your credit reports – You can get free credit reports annually. You’ll need them when meeting with landlords should they ask you about past issues.
Set up the interview – With the first three steps complete and a potential home on your list, call the landlord when it’s quiet to set up the interview. Be polite and do not discuss your past problems, as it’s best to do so in person.
During the Interview
Just like with a job interview, you’ll want to dress professionally and show up to meet the landlord 15 minutes in advance. Do not be late, as it’s an easy way to create a bad first impression.
Ask as many questions as you can about the property. Show interest in the tenant rules and what’s expected of you. If the property still interests you, ask what the next step is and how the landlord screens tenants. If they start asking you questions about past rentals, don’t badmouth your previous landlords and accept responsibility for any issues.
Close out the interview by asking the landlord what your chances are. If they’re not good, ask what’s needed to improve them so they can accept your Section 8 voucher and you can move in.
Section 8 Assist