Section 8 Landlord Questions
When will I receive my payment from the Housing Authority?
Section 8 landlord payment checks are issued the 1st of every month. If your lease starts on the 15th of the month, you will receive the prorated amount of a full month rent. All future payments will be issued on the 1st.
How do I know how much the tenant’s portion of the rent is?
A letter will be mailed to the tenant and you with a breakdown of how much the tenant’s monthly rent payment to you will be. You must charge the tenant this amount unless you receive a rent change notice from the Housing Authority.
Can I use my own lease for Section 8 tenants?
Yes, you must have a lease signed with the tenant with a starting date that matches the start of the Housing Authority Payment (HAP) contract. The contract will be an addendum to your lease that you sign with the tenant. The tenant does not have a lease with the Housing Authority.
What happens after my property has passed the initial inspection?
After you and the tenant have received confirmation that the property has passed inspection, the tenant can then move into the property.
What if I do not want to make the repairs/improvements?
You are not obligated to correct the problems found in an initial inspection. If the repairs are not made, the property will not be eligible for the Section 8 program and the applicant will not be able to use their voucher for that property.
What happens if my property fails a HQS inspection?
There are a variety of reasons why a property may fail an inspection. The Housing Authority will send a letter to you and the applicant with any/all issues that caused the property to fail the inspection. You will be given 30 days to remedy these issues. After you have finished, you must contact the Housing Authority so a re-inspection can be scheduled.
Do I have to attend an initial inspection?
While it is not required, the inspector will need means to access to the property. It is also beneficial to attend inspections so that any issues found can be pointed out in detail. Some minor problems can potentially be remedied during the inspection to prevent the need of a re-inspection.
What do you look for in a HQS inspection?
The purpose of HQS inspections is to identify any health or safety deficiencies in a property. If you have any specific concerns or questions, please contact the Housing Authority.
What happens if the rent amount is not approved?
You will have the choice to adjust the rent amount to a point that it will be approved for the tenant, but you are not obligated to so. If you do not wish to adjust the rent, the applicant will have to look elsewhere for housing. The amount that can be approved for rent differs from applicant to applicant, there is no set rate. There is a chance that the rental amount could work for a future Section 8 applicant.
What is the process to have my property approved for the Section 8 program?
You must have an applicant with a Section 8 voucher (properties cannot be “pre-approved” for the program). There is paperwork that will need completed which the applicant should have. If you have any questions or need assistance filling out any forms, feel free to contact the Housing Authority for assistance. You must provide proof of ownership and taxes paid on the property. After all the forms have been turned in, the Housing Authority has to determine if a rent amount can be approved for the applicant. If the rent amount has been approved, the Housing Authority will contact you to schedule an initial HQS (Housing Quality Standard) inspection.
