Landlord
Questions & Answers
Volume
1
Volume
2
Overview
of the Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice
Voucher (HCV) program administered locally by Charleston-Kanawha
Housing Authority (CKHA) is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) and is designed to help low income families
rent safe and decent housing on the open market in Kanawha,
Clay and Putnam Counties. Families are responsible for finding
their own housing and paying a portion of their income toward
the cost of rent and utilities. CKHA
makes up the difference between the cost and the family’s
contribution.
The
HCV program is a three way partnership between the owner/agent,
Charleston-Kanawha Housing and the family. If the family meets
the income and eligibility requirements, they are issued a
voucher that provides them rental assistance. The owner/agent
enters into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with CKHA to provide housing to the family
and agrees to maintain the property accoring to the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) standards. The family signs the owner/agent’s lease for
an initial term of one year agreeing to pay their portion
of the rent, abide by the terms of the lease and maintain
the property.
Charleston-Kanawha
Housing Authority will continue to subsidize the rent to the owner as
long as the family remains eligible and the property meets NSPIRE
standards. The amount of assistance may increase or decrease depending
on changes to the family’s income.
Benefits of Becoming a Section 8 Landlord
Charleston-Kanawha
Housing wants to reach out to new landlords in Kanawha, Clay
and Putnam Counties to promote the benefits of becoming a
Section 8 landlord. In addition to the satisfaction of knowing
you are providing safe, decent housing to low income families
in our community, the following are a few of the benefits:
-
Owners have security in
knowing at least a portion of the rent will be paid timely
each month.
- Charleston-Kanawha Housing will conduct a yearly inspection.
-
Rent amounts are based on Fair Market Rents.
-
Owners may use their own lease and set the terms and conditions
therein.
-
Strict renter responsibilities defined in HUD required
Lease Addendum.
-
Rent increases may be requested by providing a sixty day
notice, contingent on the new rent being reasonable.
- Charleston-Kanawha Housing provides newsletters and
training opportunities for landlords.
-
Direct lines of communication with staff through telephone,
mail, fax and e-mail service.
- Charleston-Kanawha Housing will provide the names and
contact information for the previous landlords of tenants,
if known, upon request.
It
is important to remember that other than expecting a portion
of the rent each month from Charleston- Kanawha Housing, you
have the same type of landlord/tenant relationship that you
have with the non-Section 8 renter.
Responsibilities
Charleston-Kanawha Housing’s Responsibilities
• Determine family eligibility
for participation in the Section 8 Program.
• Approve units and leases.
• Determine the rental amount for a unit.
•
Determine a family’s portion of rent to owner.
• Determine family eligibility annually.
• Inspect subsidized unit annually.
• Ensure that owners and families comply with program rules.
• Provide families and owners with prompt, professional service.
• Issue Housing Assistance Payments in a timely manner.
Owner’s Responsibilities
• Screen families who apply
to determine their suitability as renters.
• Comply with fair housing laws.
• Maintain the housing unit by making necessary repairs.
• Comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payment
(HAP) Contract.
• Collect the rent due from the family and comply with and
enforce the lease.
Family’s Responsibilities
to the Owner
• Abide by the terms of the
lease.
• Pay rent on time and take care of the housing unit.
• Provide any utilities which are not furnished by the owner.
• Provide and maintain any appliances which the owner does
not furnish.
• Be responsible for damages to the unit or premises beyond
normal wear and tear.
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