Landlord Question and Answer Forum

I have prospective tenants that want to sign a separate agreement outside of their Section 8 agreement to pay the remaining amount of the rent that I'm asking. In other words, Section 8 only covers X and they want a separate agreement for the remaining $450. Has anyone ever dealt with that in MA? Am I being overly suspicious or is something fishy about this?

I would not sign a separate agreement for the balance. Just write on the lease the portion that she will pay and remember section portion might go up or down depending on the tenants income or if you raise the rent.

Posted by val s, CA on Monday, June 15, 2009

Don't do it. If it boils down to going to court, it's illegal and I'm sure your this prospect knows that. They just want to get into the unit. I'm also sure they won't pay you or they'll give you a hard time about it.

Posted by Balkys S, MA on Monday, August 3, 2009

Thanks for the info. I actually called this tenants case worker and asked if it was okay and they told me it was fraud! I hope it doesn't get them in trouble as that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to know if what I was thinking of agreeing to was legal.

Posted by Deanna S, MA on Monday, August 3, 2009

Tenats have more rights than LL. That tenant was setting you up for a law suit, don't feel bad. Sec 8 tenants know their rights better than most attorneys.

Posted by Balkys S, MA on Tuesday, August 11, 2009