Landlords

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. The Housing Authority monitors participants compliance with program requirements for the duration of their participation.

No. Anyone can apply to get on the wait list.

Yes. When you are considering renting to an assisted family, there are certain forms to fill out. Once our office receives those, we will give you the family’s current address, current landlord’s name and address and previous landlord’s name (if known). With a signed release form, you can receive additional rental history information from a family’s file.

The Housing Authority will begin assistance on the day the unit passes a Housing Quality Standards inspection and the family 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 five working days to process the paperwork that includes the Housing Assistance Payment Contract and your lease/rental agreement. We will fill in the effective dates on the HAP Contract, the lease and the HUD lease addendum. Once all parties sign the paperwork, your payment will be released. You will be paid a prorated portion effective the day assistance began.

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.

Just because there are no minors 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.

No. The Housing Authority is not a party to the lease only the housing payment contract. This means our office cannot help you enforce the lease. This is your responsibility just as it would be for other non-assisted tenants.  If you report  the family is violating a program rule then 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.

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, please contact our office and report the damage to the unit including any charges to the tenant for those damages.

Contracts executed prior to October 2, 1995 have a damage claim provision. If a tenant, who was under lease prior to that date vacates the unit and leaves damages beyond normal wear and tear, please call our office within five days of taking possession of the unit so that we can do a damage claim inspection.

For contracts signed after October 2, 1995, the family is responsible for paying for any damages they leave.

The State of Oregon recently established a fund for reimbursing landlords for damages to units caused by Section 8 Voucher holders. For additional information please see http://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/housing-choice-landlord-guarantee-assistance.aspx

Please 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.

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. Please don't rely on the Housing Authority’s yearly Housing Quality Standards inspection to keep you up-to-date on the condition of your unit.