Not all apartments accept Section 8, and landlords can refuse for legal reasons

A landlord can turn down a Section 8 tenant even if they accept the program in general. They are not required to rent to anyone who applies. What they cannot do is reject you solely because you hold a voucher — that is discrimination in most states. But they can refuse if the unit fails the Housing Quality Standards inspection, if you fail a background check by their stated criteria, or if someone else's application is stronger.

The practical reality: some landlords avoid Section 8 altogether because the paperwork is heavier and payment takes longer than a personal check. Others accept it routinely. Your job is to find the ones in the second group, in neighborhoods where you actually want to live.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local public housing authority keeps a list of landlords who have accepted Section 8 in the past, though the list may not be current and some landlords may no longer participate.
  • Landlords cannot legally reject you because you have a voucher, but they can refuse for reasons unrelated to the voucher — failed inspection, criminal history, or a stronger applicant.
  • The unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection before the voucher can be used, and the landlord pays for repairs if it fails.
  • Online rental sites do not always show Section 8 status, so you need to call or email landlords directly to ask whether they accept vouchers.
  • Some landlords accept Section 8 only for certain unit sizes or only in certain buildings, so asking early saves time.

How to find the landlord list from your housing authority

Your local public housing authority maintains a list of landlords and properties that have previously accepted Section 8 vouchers. This is the fastest starting point. Contact your housing authority directly — search "[your city] public housing authority" or call 211 and ask for the housing authority phone number. Tell them you hold a Section 8 voucher and ask whether they have a landlord directory or list you can view.

Some housing authorities post the list online. Others give it to you by phone or email. A few require you to visit in person. The list is not a may provide — landlords move, retire, or stop accepting vouchers. But it shows you which properties have worked with the program before and gives you a starting point for phone calls.

If your housing authority does not maintain a public list, ask the caseworker assigned to your voucher. They often know which landlords in your area are actively accepting new Section 8 tenants.

Searching online rental sites for Section 8 landlords

Craigslist, Zillow, Apartments.com, and Facebook Marketplace do not have a Section 8 filter, so you cannot search by voucher acceptance. However, many landlords who accept Section 8 will say so in the listing — search for listings that mention "Section 8 OK" or "voucher accepted" in the title or description. This is not a complete picture, because many landlords who accept vouchers do not mention it in the ad.

The better approach is to find apartments you like, then contact the landlord or property manager directly and ask whether they accept Section 8. Have your voucher number and your housing authority contact information ready when you call. A simple email or phone message works: "I am interested in the two-bedroom at [address]. I am currently holding a Section 8 voucher from [housing authority name]. Do you accept Section 8 tenants?"

Landlords often respond within one business day. If they say no, move on. If they say yes, ask what the next step is — usually they will want to show you the unit and run a background check.

What happens after you find a landlord who accepts Section 8

Once a landlord agrees to rent to you, the unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection before your voucher can be used. This is not optional. The housing authority sends an inspector to check things like working plumbing, heat, electrical outlets, paint condition, and smoke detectors. If the unit fails, the landlord must make repairs and request a re-inspection. You cannot move in until it passes.

The landlord pays for repairs needed to pass inspection — this is a legal requirement. If a landlord tells you that you have to pay for repairs or that you cannot use your voucher until repairs are done at your expense, that is not how the program works. Report it to your housing authority.

Once the unit passes inspection, you and the landlord sign a lease. The housing authority then signs a contract with the landlord, and the voucher is attached to that unit. You pay your portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income), and the housing authority pays the rest directly to the landlord.

Landlord discrimination and what is illegal

A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you hold a Section 8 voucher. This is illegal under the Fair Housing Act in every state. If a landlord says "we don't accept Section 8" or "Section 8 tenants cause problems," that is discrimination.

What is legal: a landlord can refuse you for reasons that have nothing to do with the voucher. A failed background check for a conviction directly related to property damage or violence is legal. A unit that fails inspection is legal. An applicant with higher income or better credit is legal. The key is that the reason cannot be the voucher itself.

If you believe you were discriminated against because of your voucher, contact your state's fair housing agency or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can file a complaint within one year of the incident. Your housing authority can also tell you how to file a complaint in your state.

Neighborhoods and unit sizes where Section 8 is more common

Section 8 acceptance varies by neighborhood and by unit size. In some areas, most landlords accept vouchers. In others, very few do. This often depends on local rent levels, neighborhood demographics, and whether landlords have had good or bad experiences with the program.

Smaller units — studios and one-bedrooms — tend to have more Section 8 landlords than larger units. This is partly because smaller units rent for less, and landlords in lower-rent buildings are more likely to accept vouchers. Larger units in expensive neighborhoods may have fewer Section 8 landlords, though this is not a rule.

Your housing authority can tell you which neighborhoods have the most Section 8 units available. They can also tell you the payment standard for your area — the maximum rent the voucher will cover for each unit size. If you search in neighborhoods where rents are near or below the payment standard, you will find more landlords willing to accept your voucher.

What to do if you cannot find a landlord in your area

If you have searched your housing authority's list, called landlords, and searched online but cannot find anyone who will accept your voucher, contact your housing authority and ask about a landlord recruitment program. Some housing authorities have staff who reach out to landlords on behalf of voucher holders, or who offer incentives like damage waivers to encourage participation.

You can also ask your housing authority whether you are in an area with a mobility program. Some housing authorities help voucher holders move to neighborhoods with lower poverty rates or better schools. These programs sometimes have relationships with landlords in those areas and can help you find housing faster.

If your voucher is about to expire and you still have not found a unit, ask your housing authority about an extension. Most housing authorities will extend your search time if you can show you have been actively looking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord charge me more rent because I have Section 8?

No. The rent must be the same whether you pay with a voucher or with your own money. The landlord cannot charge you a higher rent to compensate for the paperwork involved in Section 8. If a landlord quotes you one price and then raises it after learning you have a voucher, that is discrimination.

What if a landlord says they accept Section 8 but then changes their mind?

Once you and the landlord have signed a lease and the housing authority has signed a contract with them, the landlord cannot back out because of the voucher. If they refuse to sign the contract or try to evict you because of Section 8, contact your housing authority and your state's fair housing agency immediately.

Do I have to use my voucher in the neighborhood where I currently live?

This depends on your housing authority's rules. Some housing authorities allow vouchers to be used anywhere in the state or in a multi-county area. Others limit vouchers to the city or county where you received them. Ask your housing authority about portability — the ability to move your voucher to a different area.

What if the landlord wants me to pay a deposit in addition to the voucher?

Landlords can charge a security deposit, but it must be the same amount they charge other tenants. They cannot charge you a larger deposit because you have Section 8. The deposit is your money, not the housing authority's, and you are responsible for it.

Can a landlord refuse to rent to me if I have a criminal record?

A landlord can consider your criminal history, but they cannot automatically reject you because of a conviction. They must evaluate whether the conviction is directly related to being a tenant — for example, a conviction for property damage or violence is more relevant than a drug conviction from 20 years ago. If you believe you were rejected unfairly, ask the landlord for their specific reason in writing.