Landlord Information
Steps for Participating on the Housing Choice Voucher Program
1. Unit Availability List
Place your property on our Unit Availability List. This is an in-house list of properties that the Department of Community Services, Housing & Community Development Division, will provide to tenants who are seeking housing on the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This list will provide information about the property such as number of bedrooms, rent amount, property address, owner(s) or property manager(s) name, and a contact phone number. Call 301-934-0112 to place your unit on our listing.
2. Advertising the Available Unit/Property
Advertising the property in local newspapers is an excellent way to attract potential tenants. Although this is not a requirement of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, landlords can expect more exposure to the rental market with a combination of local advertising and listing the property on the Unit Availability List. At the bottom of newspaper advertisements, landlords should include a statement such as "Housing Choice Voucher Tenants Welcome" or "Available for Housing Choice Voucher Tenants."
3. Selecting a Tenant
On the Choice Voucher Program the property owner or property manager can select the family that will live at the property. When a tenant makes contact, meet them at the property and show them the unit. Conduct an interview with as many applicants as necessary before making a selection. The Department of Community Services Housing & Community Development Division encourages landlords to obtain references from previous landlords and screen tenants as you would any other tenant. Once a tenant is selected, he or she will be provided a HUD "Request for Tenancy Approval" that will be completed and returned by the landlord to the Department of Community Services with an unsigned copy of a rental lease agreement for the property. After an assigned Occupancy Specialist
reviews all of the required documents, a request for inspection will be submitted, and an inspector will schedule the inspection.
4. Housing Quality Standards Inspections
Federal funds cannot be used to subsidize housing that is not decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing Quality Standards were established by HUD to guarantee a basic level of health and safety for all units leased under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Initial inspections are conducted on the property prior to the tenant moving in. Units must meet or exceed HQS requirements before HAP contracts are executed. An inspector will contact the landlord and schedule an appointment for an initial inspection of the property. The inspectors will inspect the unit and ensure that it meets HQS guidelines. Owners or property managers are encouraged to attend all inspections. A copy of the Inspection Form (HUD-52580-A) is available from this web site. When the property passes inspection, the landlord will then meet with an assigned Occupancy Specialist and finalize necessary contracts. After all contracts are approved, the tenant can occupy the property and rent will begin on that date.
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