Todays Rental News » Section 8

Landlord: Housing Authority filed false claims

Tim Ballering — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:04:30 +0000

The Omaha Housing Authority is using a stricter inspection code for low-income housing than allowed under federal standards, a landlord suing the agency said Wednesday.

John Malone Sr. said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development hasn’t approved OHA’s use of a stricter code, which the city has used to exclude his rental properties from Section 8 housing.

Malone filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against OHA in October on behalf of the federal government. It was unsealed Tuesday.

According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, OHA submitted false documents to the federal government and received at least $250,000 because of the misrepresentations. It also says OHA retaliated against Malone by denying low-income housing contracts for three of his properties, among other things.

via Omaha.com.

Housing Bust Opens New Doors for Subsidized Tenants

Tim Ballering — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:41:48 +0000

When Shawnetta Newburn left her drug-infested St. Louis neighborhood in search of a better life for her family in Las Vegas, she didn’t expect to live in a house with frills worthy of a McMansion.

But Paradise awaited.

That’s the name of the gated community where Ms. Newburn, a single mother who makes $10.50 an hour as a pawn-shop cashier, rents a three-bedroom townhouse with soaring ceilings, a gas-fueled fireplace and an oversize walk-in closet in the largest bedroom. The master bath even includes an enclosed toilet room, a feature popular in mini-mansions.

via WSJ.com.

Denial of Rent Assistance Due to Arrest Overturned

Tim Ballering — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:41:34 +0000

Bratcher applied for admission to the federally funded Rent Assistance Program administered by the [Milwaukee] Housing Authority. By a form letter dated August 23, 2007, the Housing Authority advised Bratcher that it was denying her admission into the program, stating:

At this time, program staff has decided to deny your admission based on the findings of your background check. The reasons for your denial isare listed below:

Specifically1. You were arrested for Battery on 9/14/04 by the Milwaukee Police Department.2. You were found guilty of Disorderly Conduct on 10/7/03 in Milwaukee Municipal Court.

via Wisconsin Court of Appeals.

Landlord drops Section 8 due to tenant damages

Tim Ballering — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:20:39 +0000

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A Dubuque landlord has decided to no longer accept Section 8 tenants after he found a rental unit in shambles and the tenant gone.

via Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports.

WI Court on Denial of Section 8 Applicant

Tim Ballering — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

An interesting, soon to be published case on denial of a rental applicant. This probably has little impact except for Section 8 applicants, but it could also be a basis for Fair housing questions too.

In this case the Housing Authority denied an application because the prospective tenant had been found guilty in a default judgment on municipal citations for disorderly conduct, and assault and battery

Read the case here

Want to succeed? Know your landlord tenant laws!

Tim Ballering — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:51:18 +0000

The thought of reading through a lengthy legislative act is painful to many of us; however, for a real estate investor, this is one that is a necessity. Your State's Landlord and Tenant legislation is something investors must be familiar with and have on hand at all times.

via The Trump Blog.

Section 8: landlord arrested for renting to relatives

Tim Ballering — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:06:51 +0000

Lewis allowed family members to live in his Section 8 home — which is not allowed –

via cleveland.com.

Lead Paint, Section 8 & Fair Housing

Tim Ballering — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:46:25 +0000

Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because the presence of children might trigger a property owner’s duties under the lead paint laws or because someone receives a housing subsidy, such as a Section 8 voucher, to pay for some or all of their rent.

via Wicked Local Fall River.