Landlords

Frequently Asked Questions

• May I evict an HCV tenant?

  You may evict a HCV tenant in the same way you would evict a non-HCV tenant. The same laws apply.

• How do I get paid?

  The Housing Authority will pay via direct deposit for their portion of the rent each month. They will continue to do so as long as the tenant remains eligible for the program and your unit meets the program standards. The direct deposit registration form can be found above. You are responsible for collecting the tenant portion of the rent each month.

• How much rent can I charge?

  The rent you charge must be reasonable compared to other units of similar size in your community. The Housing Authority will compare your rent to their payment standards, which are based in part on the fair market rents in your city or town. The Fair Market Rents (FMR) are the average gross rents (rent plus utilities) being paid in your community for modest apartments of varying sizes. If the gross rent (rent plus utilities) for your unit is less than or equal to the payment standard, the tenants pay 30% of their monthly income for rent and the Housing Authority pays the rest. If the rent is higher, the tenants must make up the difference. However, they are not allowed to pay more than 40% of their income for rent when they first rent a unit. If you want to increase the rent when you renew the lease, you must get approval from the Housing Authority. The rent must remain reasonable when compared to other units of similar size in your community.

• What kind of inspection is done?

  Your unit will be inspected to make sure that it meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) of the HCV program. The inspector will examine the exterior of the building, the plumbing and heating systems, the exits and hallways, and each room in the unit to make sure the unit is safe, clean, and in good condition. The unit must be ready to inspect time of the first inspection, and all utilities must be turned on. The inspector must have access to the unit itself, the basement, and all common areas. A family will not be allowed to use a HCV to rent your unit until you have made any needed repairs and the unit passes the inspection.

• Do I sign a lease with the tenant?

  You must sign a lease with the tenant for a minimum of one year. The lease should include: Names of the landlord and tenant; Address of the rental unit; Term of the lease and how it will be renewed; Monthly rent amount; Which utilities are paid by the tenant; Which appliances must be provided by the tenant; HUD Tenancy Addendum. You may include any other conditions that you normally include in your leases, as long as they do not violate any laws.

• Who pays the security deposit?

  If you want a security deposit, you must collect this from the tenant. The HCV program has no responsibility for damages, unpaid tenant rent, or other claims you might have against the tenant.

• Does the Housing Authority screen Housing Choice Voucher Participants?

  The Housing Authority does not screen tenants for you. You must do this yourself, just as you would screen non-HCV tenants. There are many services available to help you screen tenants. These services can check to see if the prospective tenant has a criminal record, has been evicted, or has bad credit. When checking references, always contact the previous landlord as well as the current landlord, because the current landlord may want the tenants to move out. The Housing Authority can tell you the number of people on the voucher, current and previous address, and current and previous landlord. However, the HCV program's main concern is checking that the applicant meets the income limits and other eligibility requirements. Screening the tenant is the landlord's responsibility.

• How do I list my apartment or home with the Housing Authority?

  RHASNC has partnered with www.Gosection8.com, which provides an enhanced program to list rental properties online. Listings are available to potential Housing Choice Voucher tenants seeking apartment units, duplexes, single-family homes or townhomes in the private market. If you have any questions regarding registering, creating or viewing property listings, please contact the GoSection8 toll free help line at 1-866-466-7328. It is recommended that landlords add photos to their listing for better advertising and faster lease up.

• How does the Housing Choice Voucher Program work?

  (Note: Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher Program are two different names for the same program. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is a federal assistance program to help low-income people pay their rent. People with HCV vouchers find their own housing and pay a percentage of their income for rent. The Housing Authority pays the landlord the rest of the rent. These are the steps involved in renting to a HCV tenant: 1) A family with a current voucher views your unit and wants to rent it; 2) You screen the tenants to make sure they are suitable; 3) You agree to lease to the tenants and fill out a form called a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and the family turns it in to the Housing Authority for approval; 4) The Housing Authority checks to make sure the family can afford the rent, the rent is reasonable compared to other rents in the community, and the lease is acceptable; 5) The Housing Authority sends an inspector to check your apartment to make sure it meets program standards; 6) After the unit passes inspection, and you provide a copy of your lease with your tenant, the Housing Authority sends you a contract to sign; 7) You sign the contract with the Housing Authority; 8) The family pays its portion of the rent and the Housing Authority pays the rest.