Does Bad Credit Affect Section 8

Section 8 housing applicants will deal with private landlords if their application is approved.

Does bad credit affect section 8.

However a previous bankruptcy can hamper a voucher recipient s choice of housing and landlords of section 8 tenants may find the eviction process slowed by a tenant s bankruptcy. Can your credit score affect section 8 eligibility. Section 8 is a rental assistance program run by the government. Section 8 provides affordable housing to low income households across the country.

Your eligibility to receive government subsidies for housing is not based on your credit score and will not be affected by it. Bankruptcy doesn t affect eligibility for the housing choice voucher program previously known as section 8 and receiving housing vouchers doesn t affect bankruptcy. It doesn t affect your credit or taxes. However once you receive a section 8 housing choice voucher prospective landlords will likely require a credit score as part of your background check.

For instance if a section 8 tenant will pay 300 toward a 1 200 rental it would be unfair to consider an applicant s credit and income vis a vis the 1 200 rent because hud will actually pay 900 of it. The government looks only at your income and assets to determine whether you qualify for low income housing or other government benefits not your credit history. Here s the good news. There are different procedures and requirements a landlord must follow when renting to a section 8 tenant than when renting to a tenant who does not receive this housing choice voucher learn six risks that a landlord may face when dealing with the section 8 program.

Grant money is free to the recipient and is not considered income. A screening process is often exactly the same as the one unsubsidized renters go through when applying for housing. Your credit score will not have an affect on your eligibility to receive section 8 or public housing assistance. The hud guidelines say owners may.

To qualify though you ll have to apply and meet section 8 housing asset limits which involves calculating your annual income. The department of housing and urban development doesn t check your credit when you apply for section 8 rental assistance but the property owner probably will. Landlords may choose not to rent to a section 8 participant with credit problems but mostly that s because. Also other affordable housing programs such as low income housing tax credit properties will likely have a credit score as a part of the approval process.

For this reason hud allows landlords to screen prospective tenants. There are deductions you can take that will help offset a higher income. Bad credit does not necessarily stop one from qualifying for a section 8 housing voucher.