Becoming a Landlord

RHA’s partnership with property owners and managers is integral to the success of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. Property owners/managers that participate in the HCV Program enjoy a number of benefits including lower vacancy rates, tenant stability and free property inspections.

Renting to an HCV Program participant is similar to renting to any other tenant: HCV Program property owners screen voucher holders for suitability (as they would any other potential tenant), ask for a security deposit, collect rent and enforce the provisions of their lease (including settling disputes with tenants and evicting those who violate the lease).

Owners can market their property to voucher holders by registering it at www.gosection8.com. However, RHA does not require owners to register their property in order to lease to a voucher holder, and registering your property does not guarantee acceptance into the HCV Program.

New Landlords are required to attend a new landlord briefing. Briefings are held at the Rosenberg Housing Authority Office every Wednesday at 10am and 2pm.

1. If after an owner shows a unit to a voucher holder and they want to rent it, the property owner should take them through their application and screening process as they would any other tenant.

Voucher holders may rent units larger than their voucher size as long as the rent to owner does not exceed the maximum amount indicated on their rent estimator sheets.

2. Within 5 days of attending the Landlord briefing, you must fill out
the New Owner Certification Packet and provide these additional documents. (See below for the category that applies to you):

INDIVIDUAL LANDLORDS
Complete the following forms with name and contact information of individual:
• Social Security Card
• ID
• Proof of Ownership
• Voided Check

COMPANY/LLC
Complete the following forms with name and contact for the company/LLC with the same name as listed in Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD).
• Provide proof of purchase if name is different from FBCAD
• EIN number confirmed on SS-4 for the Company/LLC matching the FBCAD
• Voided Check with name of Company/LLC

MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Complete the following forms with name for the individual/company who will receive a 1099 at the end of the year and whose name is listed on Fort Bend Central Appraisal District.
• Provide contact
information for individual who will be communicating with the housing authority.
• Proof of purchase of the owner listed in FBCAD
• Management agreement between the owner listed in FBCAD and the management company listing the unit address to be inspected.
• Provide docs stated above for individual or Company depending upon who will receive the 1099
• Voided check of individual/company who will be accepting rent for the requested unit.

3. If the owner determines that the voucher holder will make a good tenant, they along with the voucher holder, will complete and submit a Yellow Inspection Packet to the RHA.

The tenant/owner can submit it by mail, fax, or in-person. If you have questions about where or how to submit the packet, please contact the RHA at:
Phone: 281-342-1456
Email: rha@rosenbergha.org

4. RHA must approve the rent for the unit before it can be leased to a voucher holder.

RHA will determine whether the owner’s asking rent is reasonable as compared to similar unassisted units in the neighborhood. Landlord may provide their own comparables or the RHA will use GoSection8 to determine comparables.

5. A Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection will be scheduled. Generally, the property owner will receive a call to set up the appointment for the initial inspection. An HQS inspection ensures that the unit meets a set of health and safety standards established by the federal government. The unit must pass the inspection.

Learn More in this Online Document: HUD – A Good Place to Live

6. The final step in this process involves the property owner signing a lease with the voucher holder and a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with RHA.

Learn More in this Online Document: Owner’s Guide to Lease-Up & Certification

The HAP Contract governs the relationship between RHA and the property owner and outlines the rights and responsibilities of each party under the HCV Program. In short, RHA’s responsibility to the property owner is to make monthly payments on the family’s behalf in a timely manner, and the property owner’s responsibility is to enforce the provisions of the lease, abide by landlord/tenant laws and keep the unit in good condition.

OTHER LANDLORD RESOURCES:
Landlord Presentation 2018 • Owner’s Guide to Lease-up • A Good Place to Live • Forms & Documents • Landlord FAQ