NEW LANDLORD Q&A
WE OFFER MANY LANDLORD-FRIENDLY SERVICES:
- Direct deposit of Housing Authority rent checks.
- Prompt and consistent Housing Authority payments.
- Market-comparable rent levels.
- Flexible lease terms.
- Online portal where landlords can manage payments and make changes
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provides rental assistance to low income individuals and families, who select their own rentals from units on the private market. We do not assist the unit, we assist the family who rents the unit.
The family pays about a third of their income in rent to the landlord, and we pay the rest, up to a certain limit, directly to the landlord.
Each rental unit must pass an initial and annual inspection.
The landlord uses his/her own lease with our addendum. Month-to-month leases are not accepted.
Rent increases are permitted as long as the total rent is no more than our reasonable rent standard. (See Rent Reasonableness section of Landlord QA for more information about this).
The landlord can leave the program at the end of any lease term. The HCV program does not require notice to the tenant, however, state law requires 90 days.
The landlord can charge a market-rate security deposit in accordance with his/her practices and state law.
See the “Owner Lease-up Packet” for additional information.
CAN I GET MY CURRENT TENANT ON THE PROGRAM?
We assist people who are already on our waiting list. You can encourage tenants to apply by submitting a pre-application when available, but there will be a lengthy wait, typically years. If one of your tenants is issued a voucher, he/she has the option of remaining in your unit if you would like to participate in the program.
DOES THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SCREEN THE TENANTS?
The Housing Authority screens for program eligibility. We do not screen to see if they will be a good tenant. We check income eligibility and legal immigration status. We conduct registered sex offender checks and may deny certain violent or drug-related criminals if the information is disclosed to us. However, these are minimal standards. We encourage landlords to screen tenants as they would do with their non-subsidized tenants. Remember, this is your tenant. Screen them as you would any other tenant.
A HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER TENANT HAS APPLIED TO RENT MY UNIT. WHAT NEXT?
The tenant will give you a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) to complete. We will review the RTA, negotiate the rent with you, and schedule an inspection. See our Inspection Q&A.
After the unit passes inspection, the RTA is approved, and the lease agreement and Housing Assistance Payment contract (agreement between you and the Housing Authority) is signed, the tenant is authorized to move in. The Housing Authority will notify you when the tenant is approved to move in. Your first rent check will arrive after all paperwork is processed. If the tenant moves in prior to the date approved, the Housing Assistance Payment will not subsidize the tenancy prior to approval. The tenant would be responsible for the rent amount charged for the days that they leased the property, prior to the approval date.
See the “Owner Lease-up Packet” for additional information.
WHAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A HCV TENANT?
This is your tenant, like any other tenant. You can take any action, up to and including eviction, in accordance with the law and the terms of your lease. Please consult an attorney or apartment association before taking action, and copy us on any notices of lease violation.
HOW MUCH RENT CAN I COLLECT?
The rent that you can collect under the HCV program is based upon:
- The “reasonable rent” for your area and your unit type. We base this rent on our own market studies. Landlords can submit their own comparable rents for us to consider in determining the reasonable rent.
- The rent the landlord charges for comparable unassisted units. In other words, you cannot collect more from the HCV program than you would from any other renter.
- Our staff will work with you to determine the allowable rent for your unit.
- You are responsible for collecting the tenant’s portion of the rent, which is based on the family’s income. The tenant pays between 30-40% of his/her income in rent. After the initial lease term, the tenant may pay more than 40% with Housing Authority approval. We must approve the total rent you collect, including rent increases.
CAN I LIST MY VACANT UNITS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY?
Yes! We provide free rental listings on www.affordablehousing.com/ and in printed listings that we give to voucher holders who are searching for a place to rent.
