Landlords

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Process:

  • RTenant locates a unit (house or apartment) they are interested in renting and confirms that the landlord is interested in participating in Housing Choice Voucher program;
  • RLandlord completes Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet along with an attached proposed lease;
  • RTenant schedules appointment with caseworker and returns signed RFTA packet and lease approval documents on the unit they have selected;
  • RCaseworker determines tenant eligibility for the selected unit (based on rent to income ratio);
  • RCaseworker notifies inspection department to schedule a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection;
  • RWhen the unit passes HQS, the caseworker is notified and the move process continues;
  • RIf the unit fails HQS, the landlord is required to complete all repairs and pass re-inspection before the unit will be considered a passed inspection;
  • RCaseworker gives the Client the approval for move-in;
  • RCaseworker works new move in within the appropriate timeframe and notifies the client and landlord by mail;

Rent will be prorated in instances of approval after the beginning of the month. In no circumstances will rental assistance begin before a passed Housing Quality Inspection (HQS) is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted. If the landlord grants permission for tenant to move-in prior to the time the unit passed an HQS inspection and approval for move-in is granted, the tenant will be responsible for any rent incurred from the time of move-in until the time that a passed HQS inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted.

Contact us

If you are interested in listing your rental property with us, contact us today

Contact Us

FAQs about the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program

What is the Housing Authority?

The Housing Authority is a non-profit agency. We contract with HUD to administer the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. We are not HUD.

What does the Housing Authority do?

We provide rental assistance to low-income families who qualify for our program. Initially, we make sure that families who apply for rental assistance meet the HUD eligibility criteria. This includes meeting income limits and program requirements. For as long as the family receives rental assistance, the Housing Authority monitors their compliance with program requirements.

How does a family become eligible for rental assistance?

People who wish to receive rental assistance must apply to get on wait list. Families are taken off the list on preference first come, first served basis. We do not have emergency assistance. We can only help as many people as we having funding available.

Is Section 8 Rental Assistance only for couples with children?

No. Anyone can apply to get on the wait list.  However, preference is given to families who are Working or unable to work due to Disability, Homeless, and Disaster Victims.

Does the Housing Authority screen families to see if they would be good tenants?

No. This kind of screening is the landlord’s responsibility. We strongly urge you to pursue the same diligence in screening applicants with Section 8 assistance as you would all other applicants for your units.

Can I charge the tenant a security deposit?

Yes, as long as it’s reasonable and not more than you charge unassisted tenants. HUD regulations state that the security deposit has to be refundable. You cannot collect both a refundable security deposit and a cleaning deposit. You also cannot collect a last month’s rent. The family is responsible for paying their security deposit. The Housing Authority does not help families with this expense. If the family damages the unit beyond normal wear and tear, you will need to take payment for those damages from the security deposit.

When I’m leasing to a new tenant, when can I expect to get my money from the Housing Authority?
The Housing Authority will begin assistance on the day the unit passes a Housing Quality Standards inspection, the family has signed a lease/rental agreement, and has possession of the unit. It’s very important that you let our office know the exact date that you give the family possession (keys and the ability to move in). It usually takes our office ten working days to process the paperwork that includes the Housing Assistance Payment Contract and your lease/rental agreement. Once all parties sign the paperwork and the paperwork is returned to our office, your check will be released. You will be paid a prorated portion effective the day assistance began.
Why do I have to give the Housing Authority an unexecuted copy of my lease/rental agreement?

The effective dates on the HAP Contract and the lease/rental agreement have to be the same. Since we won’t know the effective date until the unit passes an HQS inspection and the family takes possession of the unit, we ask that you let us review the lease beforehand to make sure it complies with State and local law. PAHA will immediately notify the tenant and owner of the necessary corrections.

If my daughter has Section 8 Rental Assistance, can I rent to her and her children?

Effective June, 17, 1998, the Housing Authority is prohibited from entering into a contract on behalf of a family, if the owner is the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister, or brother of any member of the family. The only exception is if the Housing Authority determines that the unit would provide a reasonable accommodation for family member who is a person with disabilities.

If there a time limit that families can receive Section 8 Rental Assistance?

Currently there is no time limit for receiving assistance. If a family is able to pay their entire rent for 180 days, the contract will automatically terminate and the family will no longer have rental assistance.

If a family with small children leases my unit, what happens when the children grow up and move out?

Just because there are no small children in the household does not mean that the family is not eligible to receive rental assistance. If there is a change in family size, and the family is now living in a unit that is too large for their family size, they may have to move.

How can families lose their eligibility to receive rental assistance?

Families have to meet certain obligations to continue to receive rental assistance. These include but are not limited to attending scheduled appointments, not being involved in drug-related or violent criminal activity and not damaging their unit beyond normal wear and tear. If the Housing Authority receives documentation that the family has violated a “family obligation”, we can terminate the family’s eligibility. You will always receive a 30-day notice if the contract is terminated because the family is not longer eligible.

Will the Housing Authority help me get rid of a problem tenant?

No. You signed a contract with the Housing Authority and a lease with the tenant family. The Housing Authority is not a party to the lease. This means that our office cannot help you enforce the lease. This is your responsibility just as it would be for other non-assisted tenants. If your tenant is violating the lease you can evict them at any time. If you contact our office and report that you think the family is violating a program rule, we will investigate. This doesn’t mean that you can’t and shouldn’t take action as their landlord. For example, if you suspect there are more people living in the unit then stated on the lease, you should call us and give us that information. Allowing persons not on the lease to live in the assisted unit is a violation of a family obligation, and it is also a lease violation. You can take action as the landlord because the family is violating the lease. Keep in mind that if the Housing Authority terminates a family’s eligibility, that does not mean they will automatically vacate your unit.

Can the Housing Authority give me advice concerning what to do about a problem tenant?

No, law prohibits us from giving legal advice. Again, you need to deal with assisted tenants in the same way you would those who do not have rental assistance. You should be familiar with the Texas Landlord/Tenant Law and keep current with any damages. In some cases you may need to seek legal help.

What should I do if a tenant damages the unit beyond normal wear and tear?

You can evict a tenant if they are damaging your unit. In addition, if a tenant damages a unit beyond normal wear and tear, they can lose their rental assistance. If this happens, you need to contact our office and report to us the damage to the unit including a charge to the tenant for those damages.

Can I give my tenant a 30-day no-cause notice?

That depends, during the first year of the lease a violation must occur. After the first year, if it is stipulated in your lease, you may give a 30-day no cause notice. Lease signed before October 2, 1995 are endless and you must always list cause when you give those tenants notice.

When should I let the Housing Authority know what action I’ve taken toward my tenant?
You need to immediately give the Housing Authority a copy of all written notices – warnings or eviction notices you give an assisted family. You must also notify the Housing Authority if your tenant vacates the unit in violation of the lease.
Do I have the right to inspect my rental property?

We encourage you to inspect your property with proper notice to the family (as required by state law). This will insure regular maintenance and encourage proper tenant up-keep. You should not rely on the Housing Authority’s biannual Housing Quality Standards inspection to keep you up-to-date on the condition of your unit.

What if I want to stop paying for the water or another utility that I am responsible for or if I decide to start paying for the trash collection?

Because the family is given “credit” for paying utilities, it’s important that we know who is paying for what utilities. If you want to change what is stated on the lease, you will need to contact our office and find out what your options are.