Welcome to… The City of Tyler Housing Choice Voucher Program Landlord Guide

1. Welcome to…The City of Tyler Housing Choice Voucher ProgramLandlord Guide City of Tyler Housing Department Neighborhood Services 900 West Gentry Parkway Tyler, Texas 75702

2. Housing Choice Voucher Program(HCV) • Program is designed to help eligible low-income families obtain affordable housing and to provide increased housing choice. • Families can select housing within a neighborhood of their choice from a landlord willing to participate in the program.  There are approximately 935 families receiving rent subsidies with Tyler Housing Agency and over 374 landlords currently participating in the HCV program. • Rent subsidies allow families to pay a reasonable share of their income toward rent while the HCV program makes up the difference. • Rules and regulations of this program are set by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

3. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a three-way partnership between… • Housing Agency • Family • Owner

4. How do I become a Landlord? • Landlords can register at www.gosection8.com and post their available units online free of charge. • Enter into a lease agreement with a Housing Choice Voucher holder, execute a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the City of Tyler Housing Agency and have the unit pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection.

5. Types of HQS Inspections • Initial Inspection • Annual Inspection • Special Inspection • Quality Control Inspection

6. Initial Inspections • The unit must be inspected by a Housing Choice Voucher Program Inspector PRIOR to occupancy by a new applicant or transferring tenant and ALL utilities must be connected. • For transferring tenants, a NEW request form must first be approved by the THA. • No payments shall be made to the landlord without a passed HQS inspection.

7. Annual Inspection • Federal regulations require an annual inspection of all units • An inspection notice is mailed to the client & landlord 3-4 weeks before the scheduled inspection date. • There must be an adult (18 years old or older) present at the time of the inspection.

8. Special Inspections • Tenant may request an inspection due to outstanding repairs in their unit. • A Housing Choice Voucher Inspector will schedule an inspection if the landlord fails to make timely repairs. • A failed inspection could result in suspension of subsidy.

9. Quality Control Inspections • The Quality Control Inspection is conducted by the HQS Inspector Supervisor. • The Inspector monitors unit inspections by selecting random samples of annual& Initial inspections that were completed by the HQS Inspector. • The purpose of these inspections are to ensure that HQS standards are being properly enforced by our Housing Inspectors.

10. EXTERIOR OF BUILDING • Exterior of the building must be in good condition • Public space areas must be free from hazardous conditions • Front entrance doors must be lockable

11. BUILDING INTERIOR Interior stairs & hallways must be hazard-free (no broken steps, etc)

12. LIVING ROOM & BEDROOM • There must be at least one permanently installed LIGHT FIXTURE and one working outlet • (if no light fixture, two outlets are required) • There must be at least one (1) OPERABLE WINDOW IN BEDROOM

13. KITCHEN REQUIREMENTS • There must be at least one (1) LIGHT FIXTURE and a working electrical outlet • There must be adequate space to prepare and store food • Working stove and refrigerator

14. BATHROOM REQUIREMENTS • There must be at least one LIGHT FIXTURE • There must be at least one source of ventilation: • a. Exhaust Fan • b. Vent • c. Window

15. SMOKE DETECTOR At least one Smoke Detector MUST be installed in each unit.

16. In addition to complying with Federal Housing Quality Standards • Landlords must comply with Lead-Based Paint Regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. • Landlords must be aware of the regulations regarding household members age 6 and under.

17. Inspection Issues • Failed Unit Inspections - Failed Inspection notice - Housing Quality Standards (HQS) violations must be completed within 30 days from the date of inspection. • Hazardous and life threatening situations must be corrected within 24 hours. • Verification of Repairs - Re-inspection of the unit - A written notification of passed inspection will be mailed to landlords and clients.

18. Pass with Comments (PC) • PC inspections are considered minor violations but must be attended to in a timely manner by the landlord. • PC violations do NOT require re-inspection. • Landlord notification of completed repairs may be faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered .

19. Tenant Caused Damages • Tenants are responsible for the repair of damages caused by members of their household. • Housing Choice Voucher Inspectors will record all tenant-caused damages on their inspection reports. • Housing Choice Voucher subsidy will not be suspended in cases where tenant caused damages are the only violations.

20. A Good Place to Live

21. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract Contract between Housing Agency and Owner

22. Facts The initial rent to owner may not exceed the amount approved by the PHA in accordance with HUD requirements. The family is responsible for paying the owner any portion of the rent that is not covered by the HAP. The owner may not charge or accept, from the family or from any other source, any payment for rent of the unit in addition to the rent to owner. The owner must immediately return any excess rent payment to the tenant.

23. Facts (continued) • The HAP contract terminates automatically upon the death of a single member household, including single member households with a live-in aid. • If the Housing Agency (HA) determines that the owner is not entitled to the housing assistance payment or any part of it, the HA, may deduct the amount of the overpayment from any amounts due the owner (including amounts due under any other HCVP assistance contract. • During the term of the contract, the owner certifies, to the best of their knowledge, the members of the family reside in the contract unit, and the unit is the family’s only residence. • The owner may not assign the HAP contract to a new owner without the prior written consent of the Housing Agency.

24. Eviction Notice At or before the beginning of a court action to the tenant, the owner must give the tenant a notice that specifies the grounds for termination or tenancy. The notice may be included in or combined with any owner eviction notice. The owner must give the Housing Agency a copy of any owner eviction notice at the same time the owner notifies the tenant. Eviction notice means a notice to vacate, or a complaint or other initial pleasing used to begin an eviction action number State or local law.

25. Foreclosure • In the case of any foreclosure, the immediate successor in interest in the property pursuant to the foreclosure shall assume such interest subject to the lease between the prior owner and the tenant and to the HAP contract between the prior owner and the Housing Agency for the occupied unit. The provision does not affect any State or local law that provides longer time periods or other additional protection for tenants.

26. Written Notices Any notice by the Housing Agency or owner in connection with the contract must be in writing.

27. Request for Tenancy Form

28. Questions and Answers

29. Thanks for Attending!