How to Qualify a Miami Property for Section 8 Housing

Section 8, or the Housing Choice Voucher Program, offers assistance to renters by paying part of the rent. It is a federal housing assistance program which receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the local public housing agencies or PHAs. The PHAs gives any renter who qualifies for the program a voucher. The landlord of a qualifying property receives a part of the rent from the PHA as soon as a renter signs the lease agreement.

The main purpose of Section 8 is to help in finding clean and safe housing for renters on a low-income. There are lots of misunderstandings regarding this program. A common fear which most landlords have is that they consider it to cause an increase in work-load and also bring in renters of a lower class. On the other hand, a number of landlords still go through with the process. This is to ensure that they have a much larger selection of potential residents, steady monthly payments, as well as long-term renters as soon as the property qualifies for the Section 8 program.

Below are the main steps to take when you decide to be a part of the program.

Complete an application

There are downloadable forms which intending landlords need to fill out in order to start the landlord qualification process of Section 8. The local PHA can give you more information on the process or simply visit the HUD website and locate the Section 8 Landlord Application downloadable forms to fill. In order to complete your application, it is necessary to state the rent of the property to compare with market rates and also disclose personal information.

Complete a property inspection

After approval of the application, the housing authority will go ahead and make plans for a property inspection visit. This is to ensure that all the building and safety codes are met. Cooling system, sound structure, plumbing, door and window locks, as well as heating systems are some areas where the inspectors will assess. The area where the property is located will determine the requirements. You should ask for more information from the local housing authority to be sure the property meets the regulations.

Start accepting vouchers

Once your property scales through the inspection, a Housing Assistance Payments Contract will be available to you. A lease agreement is included in the contract. This agreement is a part of the leasing documents which you will issue to the residents of the property. It is not compulsory to rent to a voucher holder just because your property qualifies for Section 8. The main advantage is an increase in potential residents.

You can begin to accept Section 8 residents if there is a screening process set up and a lease agreement available.