The Pickaway Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encourage rental property owners to participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV).
The HCV uses federal funds to provide rental assistance to low income families and individuals. Program participants find rental housing in the private market that fits the needs of their family. Each month the Housing Authority pays a housing assistance payment (HAP) directly to the owner while the family pays the balance of the rent due. The amount of HAP is determined by the size of the family, the number of bedrooms in the unit, and the family monthly adjusted income. PMHA requires tenants to follow the rules of the lease and the HCV program in order to retain their rental assistance.
Why Become a Landlord?
Guaranteed Payments
Pickaway Metropolitan Housing Authority will pay your Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) on the third working day each month. The HAP payment is the portion of the rent that the Housing Authority pays. The payment is on time and by direct deposit. If a tenant loses income, typically, the Housing Authority’s HAP payment will increase
Free Advertising for Your Rentals
Advertising of available units for rent is available for free on our website. Landlords can complete the Notice of Available Unit form and submit it to the Housing Authority.
You Choose Your Own Residents
Landlords can select and screen Housing Choice Voucher residents consistently with the way you screen other residents. It is important to note that participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program does not change or alter the rights and responsibilities of landlords according to the Ohio Tenant/Landlord Law or other Federal Laws concerning the rights of program participants who are recipients of federal funding assistance. When tenants select a housing unit they are expected to comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay their share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition, and notify the PHA of any changes in income or family composition.
Housing Choice Voucher Participant Requirements
While participating in the HCV program, tenants and any household member or guest must do the following to remain in the program:
- Comply with the lease.
- Maintain unit in decent condition.
- Pay tenant share of rent.
- Allow the landlord and the PHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice.
- Notify the landlord and the PHA in writing before moving from the unit in accordance with the lease.
- Supply to the PHA any information that the PHA determines to be necessary. This includes evidence of citizenship and immigration status, information for use in annual or special certification of family composition, income and deductions. It includes notifying the PHA in writing when the family is absent from the unit for an extended period of time in accordance with PHA policy.
Additionally, the tenant may not remain on the HCV program if they:
- Engage in threatening, abusive, or violent behavior toward the landlord or PHA personnel.
- Participate in illegal drug or violent criminal activity.
- Commit fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program.
- Damage the unit or premises (other than damage from ordinary wear and tear) or permit any guest to damage the unit or premises.
- Sublease or sublet the unit or assign or transfer the unit.
Violation of any of the above may result in termination from the Housing Choice Voucher program.
The regulations that cover tenant obligations are found in 24 CFR Part 982. The regulations that cover lead-based paint poisoning prevention are found in 24 CFR Part 35.
Units Can be Pre-Screened for Housing Quality Standards While Looking for Tenant
Landlords with vacancies can have their unit pre-screened for Housing Quality Standards (HQS) by completing the Request for HQS Pre-Screen form. Once the unit passes HQS Pre-screen, the unit is approved for 60 days. The pre-screening process allows for the HAP contract to be completely more quickly since the unit has already passed inspection.
Charging Rent
How Much Can I Charge?
The PHA determines a payment standard that is between 90 percent and 110 percent of the Fair Market Rents (FMRs). FMRs regularly published by HUD, represent the cost to rent a moderately-priced dwelling unit in the local housing market. The housing voucher tenant must pay 30 percent of its monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and if the unit rent is greater than the payment standard, the tenant is required to pay the additional amount.
Find your FMR here: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html
Utility Allowance and Payment Standards
Information regarding payment standards and utility allowances are updated annually.
List Your Unit
To list your unit on the Pickaway Metropolitan Housing Authority Website, please submit the Notice of Available Unit form to PMHA@pickawaymha.com. Additionally, you can have your unit pre-screened for Housing Quality Standards (HQS) by completing the Housing Quality Standards Pre-Screen Request Form. Once the unit passes HQS Pre-screen, the unit is approved for 60 days. The pre-screening process allows for the HAP contract to be completely more quickly since the unit has already passed inspection.
How Do I Become a Landlord?
When a program participant chooses a rental unit, all agreements regarding day-to-day living are between the landlord and the participating family. The following steps are among the most important in the leasing process:
- Both the tenant and the owner complete the Request for Tenancy Approval form. The tenant will be given this form at the Intake Appointment and are responsible for supplying the Landlord with the form.
- The tenant or the landlord immediately returns the completed Request for Tenancy Approval form to the Housing Authority.
- The Housing Authority will contact the landlord to schedule a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection of the rental property.
- The Housing Authority will compare the rental property to other like properties in the area to determine if the rent requested is reasonable.
- Once the property has passed inspection, the owner will provide the Housing Authority with a copy of the lease. If the owner has no lease, PMHA will provide a model lease that can be used. The landlord will also sign the Housing Assistance Contract at that time.