Section 8 Scams Targeting Landlords: What to Watch For

As Section 8 voucher acceptance has expanded under California law, so have scams targeting landlords unfamiliar with the program.

California's SB 329 (2019) prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants using Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) assistance. This expansion of the program has been accompanied by an increase in fraudulent voucher presentations and scams targeting landlords who are new to the Section 8 process.

The most common scam involves presenting a fraudulent voucher to secure a lease, then failing the housing inspection - at which point the tenant has already moved in and the landlord discovers the voucher was never valid. Always verify vouchers directly with the issuing housing authority, not through documentation provided by the applicant.

Legitimate Section 8 tenants are generally excellent long-term renters - the program provides stable, government-backed rent payments and tenants have strong incentives to maintain the property to pass annual inspections. The fraudulent presentations are a small minority, but landlords who understand the verification process protect themselves easily.

The process: legitimate vouchers come with a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form from the housing authority. Contact the issuing housing authority directly to verify the voucher before signing any lease. The housing authority will conduct a property inspection before the subsidy begins - the property must meet HQS (Housing Quality Standards) requirements.