Another horror story is property damage. Some Section 8 tenants may not take good care of the property. For example, they might have wild parties and break things, or let their kids draw on the walls. It can be costly for landlords to repair all the damages.
I heard of a landlord who charged extra fees for the most ridiculous things. A tenant had a small plant on the balcony, and the landlord claimed it was 'decorative damage' and added a huge amount to the rent. It was like a nightmare for the tenant, constantly worried about what new charge would come up next.
One horror story is about a woman who had a C - section and then developed a severe infection. She was in excruciating pain and the doctors seemed to be slow in realizing the extent of the problem. It took days of her suffering before they finally got the right treatment in place.
One horror story could be about a Section 8 tenant who completely trashed the property. They punched holes in the walls, broke all the windows, and left the place in a total mess. The landlord was left with a huge bill for repairs and had a hard time getting the tenant out due to the Section 8 regulations.
There was a case where a landlord entered the tenant's apartment without any notice. He would just barge in whenever he felt like it, claiming he had the right to check on the property. The tenant felt so violated and unsafe in their own home. It was a nightmare for them. They had to constantly be on guard, not knowing when the landlord would show up unannounced.
Common elements often include landlords being unresponsive. For instance, when tenants report issues, the landlord simply ignores them. Bad communication is also a big part. Some landlords are very difficult to reach or don't communicate clearly about important matters such as lease renewals or changes in terms. And then there is the issue of illegal eviction attempts. Landlords may try to force tenants out without proper legal procedures just because they can get more money from new tenants.
I knew a tenant who was always on time with rent. But the landlord wanted to renovate the building to sell it at a higher price. So, the landlord started to make the tenant's life miserable by cutting off utilities randomly. Eventually, the tenant was forced to leave under duress. It was really unfair as the tenant had done nothing wrong.
One horror story could be about the extremely poor maintenance. Tenants in Section 8 housing might face issues like leaky roofs for months without any repairs. The landlords, knowing that the tenants are on Section 8, may not be as responsive as they should be, leaving the tenants in a constantly wet and moldy living environment which is a serious health hazard.
There are landlords who suddenly increase the rent by a huge amount without proper notice. For example, a tenant might be paying a reasonable amount one month, and then the next month the landlord demands double the rent with no valid reason like improvements to the property. This leaves the tenant in a difficult situation, either having to pay an unaffordable amount or look for a new place to live in a hurry.