| FAQ |
| For Landlords |
| NEW LANDLORD FAQ |
Once an Inspection Packet is turned in…
• Contacted by RHA to ensure proper ownership of the property (New Owner Certification Pkt)
• The unit rent will be compared to the Payment Standard (Maximum paid by HA for each bedroom size)
• The unit will be compared to other comparable units and determine the reasonable rent (Requires 3 comparables from same area w/ similar age, square footage, & bedroom size)
If the packet passes all checks, it will then be sent to the inspector.
Once the Inspection Packet is approved…
• Contacted to schedule an inspection (mgr., landlord, authorized rep. must be present at the inspection)
• If the unit fails, a letter will be sent indicating the needed repairs
• After reviewing the repair list, you have the choice whether to complete the repairs to put the unit on the program, or refuse to complete them and the tenant must find another unit.
• If the unit does not pass, the inspection will be rescheduled one time
• If the unit does not pass after the second inspection, the Inspection packet will be denied.
• Common Failed Items:
- Bathroom either doesn’t have a working vent fan or window that opens
- Doors have inoperable locks or locks installed that require a key to open from the inside
- Missing covers on outlets and switches
- Exposed, cracked, frayed wiring or wiring not properly secured
- Electrical boxes missing knockouts or open spaces in boxes without breakers or blanks
- Unit lacks an operable smoke detector in each sleeping room or other required spaces
- Apartment numbers are not visible
- Wooden fencing is broken
- Stove burners that do not work or have missing knobs.
- Front & Back yards not mowed or trash /debris in yard or premises
• Tenant will come to you with a voucher.
• The voucher indicates he/she is eligible for housing assistance.
• Review the voucher; which will indicate the issue & expiration dates as well as the number of bedrooms the family qualifies for.
• In some cases, the family may exceed their voucher size, but check with the housing office to make sure. Or refer to the tenant’s rent estimator sheet.
• Use your normal process to screen the applicants. (A family’s eligibility for the program does not guarantee the family will be good tenants)
• Fill out the yellow inspection packet completely. (Instructions in your packet or call the RHA)
• Return the yellow inspection packet to the housing office.
| • Signed after the unit passes inspection • The Housing Assistance Payment Contract is a legally binding agreement between the owner and the RHA which controls payments made to the owner on behalf of the family. • Signed by the RHA & Owner and signifies final approval for a selected family to occupy the unit. • You will be notified, thereafter, by Lease Amendment any time there is a change in the HAP or the tenant payment. |
• The unit must first pass inspection
• The Housing Assistance Payment Contract must be signed.
• The first payment may take up to two weeks to arrive.
• Checks will normally be aviailable not later than the 5th business day of each month.
• All payments are sent via first class mail. The subsidy is consider paid on the postmark date.
• If the family fails to pay their portion of rent.
• You discover damage to the unit, which was caused by the tenant.
• The tenant has unauthorized occupants.
• You have issued the tenant a lease violation or an eviction notice.
• Family not residing in the unit.
Consistent Rent Payment Protection from tenant’s financial hardship
Periodic Inspections
Keep vacancies low
Source for good eligible tenants to fill empty units
Apartments
Houses
Condos
Duplexes
The housing authority (HA) does not specify a rental amount.
HOWEVER…the rent charged must be
1. Reasonable for the area;
2. Comparable to rents charged to non-program participants;
3. Fall under our payment standard
4. Cannot exceed 40% of the tenant’s income.
NO…Landlords have freedom to rent to whomever they choose.
Landlords are not required to house families just because you choose to participate.
Landlords must still require potential tenants to complete an application and
screening process.
BUT…Cannot discriminate based on color, race, religion, sex, familial status or
national origin.
What the RHA can and cannot provide about the tenant:
CAN…The family’s current address the RHA has on file.
CAN…The name, address, if known, of current and previous landlords
CAN…be assured of: income eligible for program, no felony in the past 5 years, not on the lifetime sex offender registry
CANNOT…information about tenant’s tenancy history
CANNOT…criminal history of family members
Tenants are responsible for application fees and security deposit. Security deposits CANNOT exceed 1 month’s rent.
Tenants are responsible for whatever utilities are not covered in rent. Utilities paid by tenant must be in their name.
The HA calculates the portion of the rent paid by the tenant. The HA pays the remainder. All rent is paid directly to landlord.
The HCV program does not provide free housing.
The amount of assistance received is based on 30% of the adjusted household income.
An allowance for utilities is also factored into the rent calculation. (Depending upon which utilities the tenant is responsible for paying)
A modest allowance for the cost of utilities not included in the rent, and the family is therefore responsible for it.
Example: 3 Bedroom House, and tenant is responsible only for electric. The Heating, Cooking & Water heating are electric. All appliances supplied by owner.
CLICK HERE for More Info
The maximum monthly assistance payment for a family assisted in the voucher program (before deducting the total tenant payment by the family)
Gross Rent = Rent + Utility Allowance
CLICK HERE for More Info
The housing authority will determine the tenant’s portion and the housing authority’s portion. The HAP contract will indicate the housing authoroty’s portion of rent.
| CURRENT LANDLORD FAQ |
• Must give the housing authority 60 days written notice
• Must be submitted to the Housing authority either in person, on AssistanceCheck, or through email: rha@rosenbergha.org
• The housing authority will review the rent and provide a determination within 14 days
• Issue a lease violation
• Send a copy of the violation to housing authority
1. Go to Assistancecheck.com and click on “Create a Property Owner Account”.
2. Enter your Tax ID number and PIN number (provided at the briefing, or call the Rosenberg Housing Authority)
3. Set up two security questions and responses.
4. Review your setup information prior to submitting the request to activate the account including your email address.
5. An email is sent from Assistancecheck.com to the recipient email address, and the property owner opens the email received and clicks on the link to complete the process to activate the account. Once activated the property owner may log into www.assistancecheck.com
Once an Inspection Packet is turned in…
• Contacted by RHA to ensure proper ownership of the property (New Owner Certification Pkt)
• The unit rent will be compared to the Payment Standard (Maximum paid by HA for each bedroom size)
• The unit will be compared to other comparable units and determine the reasonable rent (Requires 3 comparables from same area w/ similar age, square footage, & bedroom size)
If the packet passes all checks, it will then be sent to the inspector.
Once the Inspection Packet is approved…
• Contacted to schedule an inspection (mgr., landlord, authorized rep. must be present at the inspection)
• If the unit fails, a letter will be sent indicating the needed repairs
• After reviewing the repair list, you have the choice whether to complete the repairs to put the unit on the program, or refuse to complete them and the tenant must find another unit.
• If the unit does not pass, the inspection will be rescheduled one time
• If the unit does not pass after the second inspection, the Inspection packet will be denied.
• Common Failed Items:
- Bathroom either doesn’t have a working vent fan or window that opens
- Doors have inoperable locks or locks installed that require a key to open from the inside
- Missing covers on outlets and switches
- Exposed, cracked, frayed wiring or wiring not properly secured
- Electrical boxes missing knockouts or open spaces in boxes without breakers or blanks
- Unit lacks an operable smoke detector in each sleeping room or other required spaces
- Apartment numbers are not visible
- Wooden fencing is broken
- Stove burners that do not work or have missing knobs.
- Front & Back yards not mowed or trash /debris in yard or premises
• Tenant will come to you with a voucher.
• The voucher indicates he/she is eligible for housing assistance.
• Review the voucher; which will indicate the issue & expiration dates as well as the number of bedrooms the family qualifies for.
• In some cases, the family may exceed their voucher size, but check with the housing office to make sure. Or refer to the tenant’s rent estimator sheet.
• Use your normal process to screen the applicants. (A family’s eligibility for the program does not guarantee the family will be good tenants)
• Fill out the yellow inspection packet completely. (Instructions in your packet or call the RHA)
• Return the yellow inspection packet to the housing office.
| • Signed after the unit passes inspection • The Housing Assistance Payment Contract is a legally binding agreement between the owner and the RHA which controls payments made to the owner on behalf of the family. • Signed by the RHA & Owner and signifies final approval for a selected family to occupy the unit. • You will be notified, thereafter, by Lease Amendment any time there is a change in the HAP or the tenant payment. |
• The unit must first pass inspection
• The Housing Assistance Payment Contract must be signed.
• The first payment may take up to two weeks to arrive.
• Checks will normally be aviailable not later than the 5th business day of each month.
• All payments are sent via first class mail. The subsidy is consider paid on the postmark date.
• If the family fails to pay their portion of rent.
• You discover damage to the unit, which was caused by the tenant.
• The tenant has unauthorized occupants.
• You have issued the tenant a lease violation or an eviction notice.
• Family not residing in the unit.