How to Become a Landlord

Through the HCV Program, HOME issues a voucher to an income-qualified participant, who finds a unit in the private market to lease. If the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS), HOME pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. The following sections show the steps to landlord participation: 

When the client has found a housing unit that is satisfactory, they must negotiate a residential lease with the landlord. To do this, the landlord must first agree to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The rent for the unit must be reasonable, according to area comparables. If the landlord agrees to participate in the program and to lease their unit, the landlord and client should conduct a joint inspection of the unit to determine its current condition.

The landlord must meet the lease requirements as set by HOME and submit the Electronic RFTA packet, which includes the following:

  • Request for Tenancy Approval
  • Tenancy Addendum
  • Owner’s Certification
  • Management agreement, if applicable
  • Lead Based Paint disclosure statement

Once the landlord and the client have completed your sections, HOME will provide the remainder of the packet, which will collect your financial information for direct deposit of Housing Assistance Payments.

If approved, an inspection of the rental unit will be conducted within 5–10 business days. If the unit meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS), set by federal regulations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and HOME and the owner have agreed on a monthly contract rent amount, the HAP contract will be approved. The family may move in only after a HOME representative finalizes a move-in date via email sent to both the tenant and the landlord.

A Housing Assistance Payments Contract (known as a HAP Contract) must be signed by the Landlord and HOME. This contract runs concurrently with the Lease Agreement signed between the landlord and the assisted family. Payment of the family’s portion of rent will begin on the effective date of the HAP contract and lease.

A family can remain on the Housing Choice Voucher Program as long as they continue to be eligible and fulfill their obligations under the federal regulations of the program.