Q: I received a letter yesterday from the Louisville Metro Housing Authority Section 8. It said that I was overpaid.
I rented my house from 2014-2017. Section 8 made direct deposit payments. When the renter moved out, she notified section 8 and they discontinued payments to me. They began making payments to the renters new apartment. Do I need to pay the overpayment?
A:
If the Louisville Metro Housing Authority Section 8 has informed you of an overpayment for the period you rented your house to a Section 8 tenant from 2014 to 2017, the general principle is that you may indeed be responsible for repaying any amounts that were overpaid to you. Typically, overpayments occur due to administrative errors, changes in tenant eligibility that were not immediately accounted for, or discrepancies in rent calculations. When Section 8 discovers such overpayments, they often seek reimbursement from the landlord, as the funds are considered to have been improperly disbursed.
The first step you should take is to carefully review the letter to understand the basis of the overpayment claim, including the amount and the specific periods during which the overpayment occurred. You should also verify all relevant records on your end, including lease agreements, payment receipts, and any communication with Section 8 or the tenant concerning rent adjustments or the termination of the lease.
If after reviewing your records you believe that the claim of overpayment is incorrect or if you have any questions regarding the calculation, it's advisable to contact the Louisville Metro Housing Authority directly to seek clarification or dispute the claim if you have evidence to support your position. If the overpayment is valid, you may discuss repayment options with them, as many agencies are willing to arrange payment plans if repaying the overpayment in a lump sum is not feasible.
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