BECOME A HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER LANDLORD
Through the HCV Program, Demonstration Housing Authority issues a voucher to an income-qualified participant, who finds a unit in the private market to rent. If the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS), Demonstration Housing Authority will pay a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. The following sections show the steps to landlord participation:
When the tenant has found a housing unit that is satisfactory, they must negotiate a residential lease with the landlord. To do this, the landlord must first agree to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The rent for the unit must be reasonable, according to area comparables, or else the Housing Authority will not approve of it. If the landlord agrees to participate in the program and to lease their unit, the landlord and client should conduct a joint inspection of the unit to determine its current condition, which is referred to as an Initial Inspection.
The landlord must meet the lease requirements as set by Demonstration Housing Authority and submit the RTA, which includes the following:
- Request for Tenancy Approval
- Tenancy Addendum
- Owner’s Certification
- Management agreement, if applicable
- Lead Based Paint disclosure statement
Once all parties have completed your sections, Demonstration Housing Authority will provide the remainder of the packet, which will collect your financial information for direct deposit of Housing Assistance Payments.
If approved, an inspection of the rental unit will be conducted within 5–10 business days. If the unit meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS), set by federal regulations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Demonstration Housing Authority and the owner have agreed on a monthly contract rent amount, the lease will be approved. The family may move in once the unit has passed inspection and their current lease has expired.
A Housing Assistance Payments Contract (known as a HAP Contract) must be signed by the Landlord and the Housing Authority. This contract runs concurrently with the Lease Agreement signed between the landlord and the assisted family. Payment of the family’s portion of rent will begin on the effective date of the contract and lease. A family can remain on the Housing Choice Voucher Program as long as they continue to be eligible and fulfill their obligations under the federal regulations of the program.