California law banning discrimination against Section 8 renters, explained

[@1cruzbat1]

We gave section 8 renters a try. We got burned. The renters lied, had illegal pets, property damage and noise complaints. The multiple dogs were pitbull mixes chained in the unfenced backyard. The neighbors asked to never have section 8 again! With all the lies I don't want to do it again. It was my parents' house and they have passed. We are not wealthy. We just wanted to keep the house in the family for sentimental reasons and our retirement, but it does have a mortgage.

[@catholicfemininity2126]

Make it like uber, have a site that rates section 8 tenants.... if they suck they get poor ratings and explainations why..... if they are good they get good ratings explaining why.

[@monicaloera1427]

That's a good idea! Bad section 8 tenants are making it hard for us good ones to find a nice place!

[@michellepayne2201]

Great idea!

[@californiadreamer2580]

Except that's already illegal in California.

[@blacknbougie8021]

I used to get mad when pple wouldn't accept my Section 8 but I had to realize that so many Section 8 tenants have ruined pple's property,refused to pay rent and ended up costing landlords thousands of dollars and it ends up not being worth it. Everyone isn't the same but landlords have no way of knowing this.

[@CalMatters]

@Melanatedmisfit, thanks for watching. If you're interested in learning more about California policy and politics, please subscribe to our channel.

[@geekedmaxx]

That's just a stereotype created by people who hate welfare ,I rented out my property to a section 8 person who works full time, and another elderly couple who was disabled , and a family as well, no problems at all ,

[@kkp4297]

@@geekedmaxx wait till they return your property trashed, and the security deposit isn't enough to cover the damage. You might be lucky this time, but you'll get a bad apple soon enough. If I had a house as indestructible as a prison, made with concrete blocks and concrete floors, I'd rent to section 8.

[@geekedmaxx]

@@kkp4297 I like section 8 renters cusse there stable , I get the rent regardless sometimes people that work jobs fire people all the time. The United States don't have good job security anymore, seen plenty of tenants leave, section 8 is a good safety net

[@msdiamondpiggy]

I work in property Management. Regular tenants get evicted higher rate, The default rate is high. The courtrooms are not filled with section 8 holders it's regular tenants being evicted. and when a tenant moves out with a voucher or without a voucher the landlord will do some repairs to get the house or apartment rent ready, general steps in renting property. Wear and tear on property happens, investors know this but choose to blame a section 8 holder.

[@traviswalker6604]

So basically the law doesn't change anything.

[@LoriLeeSurfCityTemptations]

Well that Discrimination law just made things worse for us. Yes I am on section 8. I had to move immediately because of biotoxic mold and ended up in a 182 sq.ft. room with my dog , in the worst place ever after living in my van for seven months. I had four hours left to find a place or lose my voucher for ever and I'm disabled. I should of been helped but I can't talk about that. Anyway I was told to start looking for an apt that the place I live is not safe. It's a transitional building downtown for felons,drug dealers ,addicts ederly ,disabled ,and homeless all mentally ill ,that have no where to go no family's. I am the minority here as a 54 white women and let me just say I have some mental issues myself and I can't have people screaming at me or sneaking up on my screaming. Anyway I started looking as I was told to give my 30 day notice and there would be no problem. There's a BIG PROBLEM , I wasn't awear of the new housing laws until a rental agent working for the apartments I was looking at told me the deal. I'm not sure why but I appreciated it. She told me property owners are pissed off and they're not going to have the government tell him who they're going to rent to and who they're not and the way they get around it and so many others is changing there lease from 3_9 months knowing housing won't do that. I searched and searched for a place. If they don't get you on the lease it's the 3 x the rent income, or your credit score of 650 or higher. Look at everyone getting evicted in Dec. Right before the eviction law came out. If you can live with yourself evicting people just because there sec 8 I don't want to rent from you your fucked up. I have worked full time all my life 2 years off with my baby and the last 5 years 3 of them waiting for a my case for disability to go to court. I know I shouldn't complain there are many people worse off then I am. I am grateful for a roof over my head but I'm also afraid of what the future holds for us all.

[@CalMatters]

Hi LL. Thanks for commenting. If you have time, I'd like to connect you with one of my colleagues. She's the person who explained this video. You can email me at byrhonda at calmatters dot org. Thank you.

[@michellepayne2201]

I think its helping. Eventually they will be forced to cooperate with housing inspections and to stay current. There are too many homeless people and families and wayyyy too many greedy/racist landlords.

[@1cruzbat1]

Most landlords don't evict for nothing. They appreciate peaceful lives too. If they want to turn down section 8 it's probably because they've been burned. Non-commercial landlords can't afford to continuously clean up after section 8 tenants. I speak from experience.

[@Jhihmoac]

Many municipalities now have a strong NIMBY core of citizens with both monetary strength and political connections that keep the section 8s out of their prime areas while allowing it in the run down slums...

[@Eric.1I37]

Which is very good.

[@truegrit7697]

NIMBY means you own property and don't want bums to take over the neighborhood.

[@nacho-mammy]

As it is my property, I should be able to rent to whomever I choose. I am the one taking the risk. Besides, how can you collect for damages against someone on section 8 even if you are able to sue them and win?

[@michellepayne2201]

You should be able to rent to whomever within the “ Fair Housing Laws”. Can’t follow the laws then you don’t deserve to be a landlord. See how the tables turned?

[@nacho-mammy]

@@michellepayne2201 Yeah that was implied. Don’t worry, I don’t want to take your section 8 from you, I’m just not going to rent to you.

[@michellepayne2201]

@@nacho-mammy While your overpriced house sits on the market for 30 days plus because of your pride somebody will take my money LOL I'm not concerned for me but for you rather.

[@californiadreamer2580]

Yes, exactly!

[@Blueskys1972]

Communism!!

[@HerLensRooted]

My Grandmother is 85 years old. She's recently in cancer remission. She has section 8, and wants to move to a new place, but can't. She lives in Solano county and has been in the same apartment for almost 10 years. They have not painted, everything in there is old, except the things they were forced to replace that had broke down. It's extremely hard to find apartments that accept section 8. Section 8 housing needs to be revamped overall. Aside from this law, Low income apartments should have proper care and security guards on the grounds 7 days a week. I've seen some really bad looking section 8 apartments. Poor ac/heating, thin walls like a motel, unkept, and out of control tenants. Violence, drugs etc. Should not be tolerated at all in Section 8 housing. People on section 8 should have the opportunity to live in better neighborhoods, and have nice apartments with amenities. All section 8 apartments should be maintained, and in a crime free and drug free area. I've also seen better looking apartments, but still some of the tenants out of control. Another issue is Apartments are too expensive. Section 8 has a cut off of how much they're willing to pay. If an apartment complex works on a case by case basis, and decide to lower the rent so the person can move in. After 60 days they can raise the rent back up. The person would be responsible to pay the difference. Section 8 doesn't split that cost. So that person could end up going from paying $200-300 to $500-700. For people on a fixed income that doesn't work at all. That would take majority of my grandmothers income. Rent control laws should've past long ago. I know a place that rose the rent up to an extra $600 within 3 years. It's ridiculous.

[@julietisabella3509]

So say for example, I get the home by showing proof of pay stubs from my job but end up giving them the voucher instead. Is that legal? Do they have to accept it as rent?

[@TVluver2]

Since most landlords are requiring an income of 2 to 3 times the rent, it is doubtful that you could qualify on just your paystub alone without the landlord knowing about the Section 8 income because if you made that much, you never would have qualified for Section 8 in the first place.

[@michellepayne2201]

@@TVluver2 that’s not true you can make a good amount of money and have section 8. Remember you pay 30% of “your income”. To answer that question there’s nothing wrong with saying I have a voucher at the veryyyyyy end. Just be strategic and say well I forgot or I just received it. And that way they can’t deny it. And at that point if they do then go ahead and file a complaint with hud and fair Housing Council they will open a lawsuit with lawyers paid for by them and you will get the house puls money to compensate for emotional damage.

[@TVluver2]

@@michellepayne2201 Income gives them away. I require 3x the monthly rent in income and I'm considering raising it to 4x. Nobody earning 3x or 4x the rents that I charge is going to be eligible for Section 8. Now I know that I am only allowed to hold them to a standards of 3x/4x THEIR share of the monthly rent and with that lower standard there may be many Section 8 applicants who qualify, but if they haven't told me that they are on Section 8, I wouldn't know to lower the income requirements now would I? They will be rejected on income alone before ever getting a chance to inform me that they have Section 8. Really, though, it is not an issue worth worrying about since I have yet to meet a Section 8 applicant who will rise to the top when competing against 10 to 15 other applicants. As long as the rental market stays strong and competitive, I will always be able to honestly say that another candidate was a better choice for reasons other than Section 8.

[@michellepayne2201]

@@TVluver2 With all the work you're putting in to keep section 8 tenants out, you might as well go through the inspection process. You're really making life harder on yourself. When the economy collapses you will surely change your mind. Plus no one and I mean no one will rent your home out, section 8 or not if they see 4x the rent. 3x is already pushing it and outside of most medians. You are asking for someone to be an engineer or space scientist, and I'm sure your home is in a bad area on top of that. Trust me if I had that much money it would not be spent on someone with an attitude such as yours. So honestly, you are just appearing as a the slumlord you are becoming.-Respectfully.

[@1cruzbat1]

Section 8 works with the landlord, and the landlords have to meet criteria from the government. The property must pass section 8 inspection. Section 8 doesn't pay anyone till inspections are done and contracts are signed. So no.

[@A0.917]

How sad. That just like saying no ebt lol. Money is money people. Take it when its given.

[@calirios7945]

Is it discrimination to be evicted because one does not have section 8?

[@michellepayne2201]

I would think so call the fair Housing Council

[@TVluver2]

I do not wish to rent to Section 8 tenants due both to the government bureaucracy involved in being a Section 8 landlord and the general low quality of the tenants. Before this law, I would just advertise "No Section 8", but now I'm no longer allowed to openly admit that I don't accept the vouchers. Both my time and the applicant's time is wasted showing a home to someone who has no chance of me actually renting to them. Plus, the applicant has to pay a $35 application fee even though their application is going to be thrown in the trash the minute they are out of my sight. I feel sorry for these poor people getting their hopes up and $35 when they really don't stand a chance, but what am I going to do? I have to play the game or risk being caught on the wrong side of this over-reaching law.

[@sheluvzane]

Damn that’s fucked. Some people didn’t choose to be poor. Especially minorities who has always when marginalized and face discriminatory practices for years.Everybody wasn’t born into generational wealth like my self. People should be treated equally no matter their Socioeconomic background. Shit I’m poor but I have plans and long term goals for bettering my future. My goal is to be a homeowner and steer away from landlords with narrow mind thinking who categorize individuals based on their wealth and means of surviving. May God bless and hopefully you won’t never see the struggle of being a “Have Not”

[@TVluver2]

@@sheluvzane I wish I could treat all potential tenants equally, but I have too much to lose to take on the added risk of Section 8 tenants. I know there are a lot of great, hardworking people on Section 8 and you sound like one of them, but from my experience, there are also a disproportionate number who don't give a damn and will destroy a property and/or be a nuisance to the neighbors (and thus a nuisance to the landlord). Not to mention, the bureaucratic red tape involved in renting to Section 8 tenants that make it a losing deal for landlords. I'm not rich either and I can't afford to let my rental properties sit empty for months waiting to jump through Section 8 hoops. I do wish you the best of luck with your plan and long-term goals. Believe it or not, I do understand what it is like to be poor. I was myself at one time, which is why I work so hard now to protect what I have earned.

[@sheluvzane]

Yeah your right, and made some valid points. But speaking for myself who has a section 8 voucher and is still currently looking for housing. I recently applied for an apartment for $2100 my voucher was for $2175. My application wasn’t even submitted because they told me I needed to make 3x the rent. Which is ridiculous and even a contradiction for them for accepting section 8. If I was making 6000 a month I wouldn’t even bother for applying for government rental assistance. It makes no sense to me at all..And even though I am poor and also a minority I have worked on my credit for years and I’m in the Mid 700. I have an 11 year rental history since 2012, and also a College student in process of obtains my B.A.Why wasn’t my application processed with due diligence? Despite what the process is from HUD and their inspection process it’s not fair in my opinion. I surly won’t make a career in living off any type of rental assistance in my near future once I gain more mobility.

[@TVluver2]

@@sheluvzane Unfortunately, it is fairly standard for landlords to require 2 to 3 times the rent and they may or may not waive that requirement for Section 8. In my state, California, I'm not allowed to say I don't take Section 8. Setting an income requirement and not waiving it is a way of not taking Section 8 without saying you don't take Section 8. I know that doesn't seem fair to good tenants like you, but there are too many bad tenants giving Section 8 a bad name. That and the government bureaucracy that make it a PITA to accept. Truth is, if someone with your credentials came to me, I might consider waiving my requirements and taking the Section 8, but I haven't had that happen yet.

[@sheluvzane]

Yes, my point exactly.! I’m in California also. I’m now researching my rights and it’s an unlawful act of discrimination against source of income. I’ll be filing a complaint with California State Fair housing.

[@jenna2026]

California is about 40 years behind the other states when it comes income discrimination. How they allowed discrimination for renters for this long is surprising. Everyone takes section 8, its guaranteed income for the landlord! Until I saw this video, I did not even know that form of racism existed. Years ago they used to also not rent to older renters either, amazing how far most of the world has come...but i'm surprised a progressive state like California is backwards on some things. If I told a renter I did not accept their form of income I would be in a lot of trouble. Also, with Covid this has saved me as a landlord. Of course I don't live in California, but eventually I would like to buy rental property in California as well.

[@TVluver2]

It's not just California landlords who do not want to accept Section 8. It is a nationwide issue. I've read news articles from all over the country about the difficulty in getting landlords to accept Section 8. Many times the vouchers expire before a place can be found that will accept them.

[@californiadreamer2580]

Where are you getting your information on the " racism" you claim? It's a lie. HUD'S own Sec. 8 statistics prove it's a lie.

[@DavidSmith-eg5le]

I think they should make it mandatory for all apartments to accept Section 8 and make it nationwide and take away a lot of the hoops that landlords have to jump through to take it it would be a solution for both

[@truegrit7697]

Sounds like you don't own any property.