|
|
~ General Information ~
|
~
Section 8 Programs ~
~Related Links~
|
|
|
Landlord Information
The Section 8 program
provides assistance for low-income families in the private rental
market through the Housing Rental Assistance Program.
Rental Voucher Holders select
a unit from the private rental market. Rental assistance makes
market rate housing affordable. Program participants usually pay
no more than 40% of monthly-adjusted income towards rent and
utilities. The Housing Assistance Payment subsidizes the balance
of the rent to the property owner.
How Do I Make A Unit
Available
To Voucher Holders?
You may advertise in the newspaper with the phrase "will accept section
8". Our families look for those listings.
You may also call the Housing Authority Office to have the unit listed
on our list of available units.
What Are The
Requirements For My Unit
To Be Rented to an
Assisted Family?
The unit must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards and
the rent must be
approvable within HUD Fair
Market Rents and
market rate comparable
(copy of HQS available).
What Do I Do When A
Voucher Holder
Is Interested In My
Unit?
1)
Landlord
Screens Tenants
You must screen the prospective tenant carefully to
insure you are making a good selection. When one of our families
contacts you, we can only certify to their income eligibility for the
program. We cannot provide a reference as to their expected
behavior as tenants. You may use any or all of the following
screening procedures:
 | Credit Check |
| Landlord references |
| Criminal Check |
| Home Visits
|
We
encourage all of the above screening methods as long as you do not
discriminate. Discrimination includes any tenant selection based
on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, country of birth, handicap or
familial status makes it illegal, in most circumstances, to refuse to
allow children to live in a residential unit. To do so would be a
direct violation of the Fair Housing Laws.
2)
Request
For Tenancy Approval
When you have selected a tenant, he/she will have a "Request for
Tenancy Approval" form for you to complete. When the tenant submits the
form to our office, a housing representative will contact you to
schedule an inspection.
3)
Inspection
The unit will be inspected to insure that it meets HUD Housing Quality
Standards. If applicable, you may be mailed a letter
of the
inspection repair list.
4)
Lease and Contract
After the unit passes inspection and the rent has been approved, the
landlord and tenant enter into a lease for an initial term of one
year. The Housing Authority and the landlord sign a Housing
Assistance Payments Contract through which the rent is assisted on
behalf of the tenant.
5) Can
I Collect A Security Deposit?
| Yes.
The deposit usually equals one months rent.
|
| The
Housing Authority prohibits security deposits in excess of private
practice, or in excess of amounts charged by the owner to unassisted
tenants.
|
6)
What Is The Term Of The Lease?
After one year, the lease is renewed on a month to month basis.
The tenant may vacate with a written 30-day notice after the term of
the lease expires. If the tenant remains in the unit, the tenant
is recertified for eligibility and the unit is inspected for Housing
Quality Standards annually,
at which time the landlord may request
which must be approved by the Housing Authority. This request
must be submitted in writing to the Housing Authority and tenant thirty
days prior to renewal.
What Are My Rights And
Responsibilities
As A Landlord?
| Maintain your
property in good condition. Complete repairs within a reasonable amount
of time upon request by the Housing Authority or tenant, 24 hours for
emergencies. The amount of time that is considered reasonable depends
on the nature of the problem.
|
| Set reasonable rules
about the use of unit and common areas.
|
| Do not enter a unit
without tenants permission and proper notice except for emergencies or
tenant requested repairs.
|
| Collect appropriate
security deposit as directed under the program and use it only as
directed by state law.
|
| Comply with equal
opportunity requirements.
|
| Enforce tenant
obligations under the lease.
|
| Expect your tenant to:
 | Pay rent on time |
| Keep unit clean |
| Avoid illegal activity |
| Permit access for
repairs |
| Avoid damage to
property |
| Refrain from
disturbing others |
| Allow only those
occupants on the lease to reside in the unit
|
|
| Comply with terms and
conditions of lease and HAP contract.
|
| Take action through
Magistrate's Court to evict when tenant violates the lease.
|
|
|
