Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO - Landlord Forum thread

Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO by Ed (MN) on November 7, 2009 @13:42

Actually, I did speak with two landlords.

The second previous LL said not much, other than she would be rented to again if she qualified.

The most recent LL, after she was already in my place, said he would rent to her again.

I got the keys back in the mail, on 11/5, post marked on 11/4. But keys do not mean legal possession, only a Lease Termination does that. I am still lacking that.

I do a pretty through application background check, at least I think so. In addition to the usual, I go to the County courthouse. They have computer terminals you can look up past Civil and Criminal issues. Even dismissed and pending cases show up. Address information shows up. When I do it from home, they hide the addresses.

I also go to the tenant’s current address to drop off or pick up the app. It's my "customer Service", but really it is a way to see how they currently live.

In this case, the place wasn't too bad. There was a male voice in the background that was "a family friend". It should have been a clue, but having an extra guest isn't by itself necessarily bad.

I also call previous LLs, but I know the most recent where they live now isn't the best. That's why I will often check after they move in. The LL doesn't have anything to hide.

This tenant had to move due to change of ownership in her current apartment. The new owners didn't take Section 8 anymore. It was still a rush, that probably should have been a sign, but I had nothing to base a rejection on. A misdemeanor theft charge from 5 years ago is all.

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Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO by Ultimate M-Bone on November 7, 2009 @14:38	[ Reply ]
You don't need a lease termination if she moved out and returned the keys. You are fine to take possession. When tenants return the keys, that is giving you possession back.

Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO by Ultimate M-Bone on November 7, 2009 @14:45

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You said that you do a pretty extensive background. But, did you verify the landlord "owner" of the rental with the County auditors site of her previous adress? You need to be sure that you are not really talking to her friend or family member when getting a "landlord" reference if you call the one she provided on the application. Tenants who have a bad reputation with their landlord is not going to give you the real landlords name and number.

Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO by Anonymous on November 7, 2009 @19:29	[ Reply ]
I usually do a google search on the number. In this case, she was moving from a large complex, so they had their own web site. I picked up the app there, so I know she lived there. Whether or not the keys are good enough, I am not sure. With this woman, she may say she still had the keys.

Re: Section 8 Tenant and HRO by Ed (MN) on November 7, 2009 @19:36	[ Reply ]
Keep in mind, her lease goes until 7/31/2010. Just because I have the keys, doesn't mean she is still not in legal possession of the unit. I would like to see some law, or case precident, that says that.