Looking for Landlord Lawyer (Baltimore: section 8, rental, house)

[ndm9654]

I am Looking for a Lawyer in the Baltimore area who has experience with dealing with Section 8 and Tenant and problems I am having with getting rent and repairs due from a tenant who has left my property in shambles and Section 8 owes me back rent on the same house. Baltimore City Section 8 is so unresponsive and so hard to get into see them. I need an aggressive Lawyer who is willing to go after Baltimore City. As a Landlord I plan on never renting to Section 8 ever again because of the lack of support. All my house are nicely rehabbed and I handle my repairs fast, treat my tenants fairly but do not get the same fair treatment from Section 8.

[Lumerian Feast]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news...but you're most likely out of luck. Section 8 isn't liable for any damages or unpaid rent from the tenant, and they pretty much won't help you sue that person either. And suing a Section 8 tenant isn't worth your time, because they don't have anything to take. No lawyer will even help you go after the individual -- you can't get blood from a stone.

I say this from personal experience: as a landlord, sometimes you just have to accept that you've incurred a certain loss and move on. Ultimately, it's the easiest thing to do. Dealing with the city is an endless headache; when I was in Baltimore, I pretty much got to the point where I realized I should never expect any help from the city government, ever, and if it's something you absolutely need, you have to call repeatedly and get nasty. It's the only thing that motivates them.

It sounds like you've already made the smartest decision: don't ever rent to Section 8. While some Section 8-ers are okay, there's just too high a percentage of inconsiderate, criminal pigs. They don't give a crap about the terms of the lease and will frequently bring in friends and family to crash -- in other words, they'll turn it into a flophouse for people who are too lazy to even get their own Section 8 place. Rent to people who work for a living -- they're much more likely to understand the concepts of personal responsibility and respect for something they pay for.

[bellcf]

I know that it has been awhile since you posted this and hopefully you are still a member but please respond becasue I am going through something similiar with my tenant & i just want to see what advice you have.

Thank you

[eutawangel]

The above response only stimulates bad pre-judgements about Section 8. People who work for a living are often on Section 8...they qualify based on the amount earned. Also, you typically have a smuch if not more problems with people who are non-Section 8 holders. In fact...Section 8 rental are typically gurranteed rent. Just as with anything...it depends on the people. The 2 I have dealings with...I would not want to rent to anyone else. They are probally better tenants than the rest.