Nine times out of ten, when I mention renting to Section 8 tenants, the first response I get is: “No way.” And most of the time, that reaction comes from people who have zero experience with the program. They assume Section 8 means “bad tenants” without actually understanding how it works—or the benefits that come with it.
So, let’s set the record straight.
First, the legal side:
In Massachusetts (and many other states), it’s illegal to refuse to rent to someone just because they have a Section 8 voucher. As a landlord, you must treat Section 8 applicants like any other prospective tenant, or you could face serious legal trouble.
Now, the benefits:
• Guaranteed Rent – The government pays a significant portion (often 70%+) of the rent on time, every month, without fail. No chasing tenants down for payments.
• High Demand & Stability – People wait years to get a Section 8 voucher. Losing it means they may never get another chance. Because of that, many Section 8 tenants are motivated to follow the rules and keep their housing.
• Low Turnover – Finding affordable housing is hard, especially in Massachusetts. Once someone finds a nice, well-managed home where most of their rent is covered, they tend to stay long-term, reducing vacancy and turnover costs.
But don’t landlords get stuck with bad tenants?
Not if they screen properly! I vet Section 8 tenants the exact same way I do any other renter. That means:
Background checks
References
No smoking policies
In-person interviews
Comprehensive lease agreement – Tenants sign a detailed one-year lease that I personally walk them through to ensure they understand the terms and expectations.
For every unit I rent, I typically receive 1,000+ inquiries. I narrow that down with a short questionnaire, then conduct a 10–15 minute phone screening. If that goes well, I run a full background check before scheduling an in-person tour and interview. I’ve followed this process five times in the past two years, and so far, I love my tenants.
They’re respectful, responsible, and take care of their homes like they own them—because, for them, finding stable housing wasn’t easy. And as a landlord, I take pride in keeping my properties in top shape, handling repairs quickly, and setting firm but fair expectations.
The Bottom Line:
I’m not here to debate politics or social issues, so if that’s what you’re looking for, there are plenty of other Facebook groups for that. I just want to share my real experience as a landlord renting to Section 8 tenants.
And honestly? One of my favorite moments is when I’m working on a property and see my tenants’ kids getting off the school bus, smiling, and walking into a clean, safe home that their parents have decorated beautifully. That makes it all worth it.
Section 8 isn’t perfect, but if you take the time to learn how it works and screen properly, it can be a great win-win for landlords and tenants alike.
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