Skip to main content

Why does it show that a property allows housing vouchers (Section 8)?

R
Written by RentEngine Ops
Updated over a week ago

Overview

If a property allows housing vouchers in RentEngine, that means the assigned prescreening template accepts them.

Voucher behavior is controlled entirely by prescreening settings.


Check your prescreening template

  1. Go to SettingsShowingsPrescreening

  2. Open the template assigned to the unit

Look for the question:

“Do you have a housing voucher (e.g. Section 8)?”

This question controls voucher behavior.


Understand the voucher logic

The rejection logic determines what happens when a prospect reports having a voucher.

Yes

  • Prospects with vouchers will be rejected

  • The property will show that it does not accept housing vouchers

No

  • Only prospects with vouchers will be accepted

  • The property will show that it does accept housing vouchers

Do not reject (informational)

  • Prospects with or without vouchers will be accepted

  • The property will show that it does accept housing vouchers

If the question is removed from the prescreening, then that means the property does accept housing vouchers by default.

Important: Make sure your voucher policy complies with all local and state laws before rejecting prospects based on housing voucher status.


Save your changes

After updating the logic:

  1. Click Save in the top right

The updated behavior applies immediately.


Confirm which template the unit is using

Even if a template is configured correctly, the unit must be using it.

  1. Open the Properties tab

  2. Click Take actionEdit property

  3. Go to the final page

  4. Check the Prescreening Template dropdown

  5. Press "Finish" to save

The selected template controls voucher behavior for that listing.

You can create:

  • One template for properties that accept vouchers

  • Another for properties that do not

Assign the appropriate template per unit.


Set your public voucher response (optional)

If prospects ask whether vouchers are accepted, you can control the message they receive.

  1. Go to SettingsPortfolio

  2. Find No vouchers response

  3. Enter the message you want sent to prospects

This message:

  • Is informational only

  • Does not change prescreening behavior

  • Should match your legal obligations and internal policy


Best practices

  • Review voucher settings before activating a vacancy

  • Use multiple templates for mixed portfolios

  • Keep prescreening logic aligned with public messaging

  • Revisit settings when local laws change


Need help?

If voucher behavior doesn’t match expectations:

  • Confirm the template logic

  • Confirm the unit’s assigned template

  • Verify the public voucher response text

If issues persist, contact RentEngine support via chat with:

  • The property name

  • Any specific prospect or prescreening you'd like us to check

Did this answer your question?