County Housing relies on dependable landlords to help house people in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The HCV program offers several benefits to landlords, including guaranteed rental income, a broader pool of potential tenants, and support from County Housing.
Please click on the Landlord Interest Form below to begin the process of becoming landlord in the HCV program. Also, learn more about becoming a landlord by contacting County Housing’s landlord liaison at (314) 428-3200.
Watch the videos below to learn more about becoming a landlord and the HCV Program.
False: Landlords can charge the full rent no matter who the tenant is. The housing authority must determine that the proposed rent is reasonable and is not higher than units in that area with similar amenities.
False: HCV tenants are typically long-term tenants, living in a unit for 7-8 years on average. There are no documented statistics showing that HCV participants are any more likely to damage units or not pay rent than regular tenants. Landlords use their own screening criteria and should screen HCV tenants as they would any other to avoid problem tenants.
False: HCV tenants are bound by the terms of their rental agreements and are subject to eviction, as is any non-HCV tenant.
False: Renting units to HCV tenants does not obligate you to rent to other HCV tenants. For each vacancy, you should follow your established policies for screening prospective tenants.
1
SUBMIT INTEREST FORM
Fill out the Landlord Interest Form and submit to County Housing.
2
Select a tenant
County Housing admits eligible families to our HCV program. As the landlord, you select and approve one of these voucher holders based on your own rental criteria, then fill out the voucher holder’s Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) (also referred to as the landlord packet). County Housing must determine that your proposed rent is reasonable compared to similar units in the market and not higher than those paid by unassisted tenants on the premises.
3
Ensure minimum standards
Make sure your housing meets minimum standards.
4
Initial inspection
County Housing’s inspections team will conduct an initial inspection of your unit to ensure that it meets all HUD requirements. Inspectors will check the following:
5
Sign and rent
Sign lease with tenant and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with County Housing, and start receiving payments.
Once you and the tenant sign a lease and you submit the signed lease to us, you will receive a HAP contract to sign. Once the HAP contract between you and County Housing is executed, you will begin to receive monthly HAPs from County Housing and the remainder of the rent payment from the tenant.
The HCV program offers several benefits to landlords, including guaranteed rental income, a broader pool of potential tenants, and support from County Housing. To become a participating landlord in the HCV program, you can contact County Housing’s landlord liaisons by calling (314) 428-3200.
Generally, tenants must meet income guidelines, pass background checks, and comply with program rules.
Rent is determined through a formula that takes into account the family’s income and local market conditions. Landlords can discuss rent with County Housing’s Market Analyst who sets the rents by calling (314) 428-3200.
County Housing is responsible for processing their portion of rent payments and ensuring they are made on time. Landlords will receive monthly payments directly from County Housing.
Units must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) standards to ensure they are safe and habitable. County Housing conducts inspections to ensure compliance. You can learn more about inspection standards here.
If a tenant’s income changes, it may impact the amount they contribute to rent. County Housing should be notified of income changes to make the appropriate adjustments.
Landlords are responsible for property maintenance and repairs, while tenants are responsible for following the lease terms and paying rent on time.
Yes, you can request a rental increase by filling out the Rent Increase Request Form. Our market analyst will review the request and notify you of the outcome. Note that any rental increases must comply with program rules, and proper notice must be given to tenants.
Ending a lease or evicting a tenant follows standard legal procedures. Consult with legal counsel if you need to take these steps and keep County Housing informed of your decision. Any eviction documentation should be submitted to County Housing.
Please contact us at (314) 428-3200 and ask to speak to the RFTA clerk for questions about the status or details of your packet.
Your rights and obligations are outlined in the lease agreement, which should comply with local landlord-tenant laws. As a property owner, it is essential to be aware of both to ensure a successful tenancy.