| What are the
requirements for my unit to be rented to a Voucher family? |
|
Your unit must meet HUD
Housing Quality Standards (HQS);
the rent must be reasonable and must fall within the fair market rent
guidelines set by HUD. |
|
How Much Rent Can I Charge? |
|
In all
cases, the rent must be comparable to units in the area that are not
subsidized by the Housing Choice Voucher program. HOC will review
the rent you are requesting for what is termed "rent
reasonableness". If the rent is reasonable and falls within the
fair market rent guidelines set by HUD, we will process the rent you
request. |
|
How Long Can I Rent to an HCV Family? |
|
After the first year, your lease can be renewed on a month-to-month
basis. Provided that there is continued funding of the Housing
Choice Voucher program, families can remain on the program for as
long as the subsidy is needed, and as long as they are in compliance
with the obligations of the program.
To date, a family has never been terminated due to a lack of program
funding. |
| Who
is responsible for screening the tenants? |
|
It is the the owner's responsibility to screen all
tenants, whether they are Housing Choice Voucher participants or not.
You should ask about their payment history for rent and utilities,
their housekeeping and maintenance skills, any drug-related criminal
activity or other criminal activity, and prior compliance with other
essential conditions of tenancy. |
| What kind of
information can HOC provide to owners about the tenant? |
|
HOC can provide, if available, information about
the tenant's current address, current landlord, prior landlords, and
whether or not the family owes money to a housing authority. |
| What are my
responsibilities under the HCV program? |
|
See Landlord
Responsibilities, Tenant
Responsibilities, and HOC
Responsibilities. |
| Does HOC pay the security deposit? |
|
No. It is up to the landlord to collect the security deposit from the
family. Two months rent is the maximum that can be charged as a security
deposit. |
| Does HOC cover tenant damages? |
|
Just as with a market rental, the landlord collects
damages from the tenant from the security deposit. |
| What happens if a tenant skips out and does not pay the rent? |
|
If a tenant breaks the contract and skips out, HOC
will give the landlord 30 days notice that the rent will no longer be
paid on behalf of the ex-tenant.
|
