HUD/PHA, SECTION-8 LANDLORD PROCESS
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Landlord.  To be a landlord for Section 8 tenants, you must understand that a Public Housing Agency (PHA) subsidizes the rent, with the tenant paying their portion directly to you after a successful Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection. You'll submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form to the PHA after screening applicants based on your own criteria, though you cannot deny applicants solely based on their use of housing assistance. After the unit passes the HQS inspection and both the lease and HAP agreement are signed, the PHA will begin sending its rent portion to you.
Process of Becoming a (HUD/PHA) Section 8 Landlord
  1. Apply to become a participating landlord with your local PHA. 
  2. Market your property to attract potential tenants who can use HUD/PHA vouchers. 
  3. Screen applicants using your standard tenant screening process. 
  4. Submit a Request For Tenancy Approval (RFTA) to the PHA, for interested applicants. 
  5. Prepare your property for the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection to ensure it meets federal HUD/PHA requirements. 
  6. AFTER property has passed the HQS inspection, THEN sign lease with Tenant (do NOT release any keys, remotes, etc. to Tenants). 
  7. Send the executed Landlord-Tenant Lease to the PHA.
  8. PHA will send Landlord the required PHA documents to execute.
  9. Send the executed PHA documents to the PHA.
  10. Collect deposits, extra payments (past voucher amount), THEN release all keys, remotes, etc. to Tenants.
  11. Landlord should start receiving payments from PHA.
 Key Responsibilities & Considerations (HUD/PHA)
  • Vouchers and Payments:
    The PHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the Landlord, often automatically. Landlord is responsible for collecting the Tenant's portion. 
  • Fair Housing:
    It is illegal to deny an applicant solely because they are using a HUD/PHA Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program. 
  • Property Standards:
    Landlord's property MUST pass a HQS inspection to be approved for the HUD/PHA program. 
  • Communication:
    Landlord MUST maintain consistent communication with the Tenant and the PHA to ensure a positive landlord-Tenant relationship and address any issues promptly. 
  • Annual Recertification:
    HUD/PHA Tenants MUST be recertified annually.
  • Landlord Link to HUD for Clarification =  www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-landlord