ADVERTISING VACANT UNITS
Landlords can advertise their vacant units the way they normally do. In addition, landlords can list a vacant unit with the services below. The links below are for your convenience and are not sponsored by the city of Phoenix. The city of Phoenix does not favor one advertisement method over another.
www.socialserve.com
www.gosection8.com
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants are responsible for finding their own housing. The selection of tenants is at the discretion of the landlord. It is acceptable to have prospective tenants complete applications as part of the landlord's screening process as long as this is done for all applicants. The city of Phoenix Housing Department only screens applicants for Section 8 HCV program eligibility.
When a Section 8 HCV participant seeks to rent a unit, they will have all the necessary paperwork to initiate the process including the Housing Choice Voucher and the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA).
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER
The Voucher verifies the tenant's eligibility in the Section 8 HCV program and the number of bedrooms for which the tenant is qualified.
REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL (RFTA)
The RFTA is an easily completed packet of forms to be filled out and signed by the property owner and the tenant. Tenants must personally deliver the RFTA paperwork or "search papers" to the Section 8 Office located at 830 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Currently, we accept RFTA paperwork only during the designated days and times indicated on the RFTA. Once this packet has been completed and returned to the Section 8 Office, the process continues.
To view a sample copy of our Section 8 RFTA or "search papers," click on the link below:
Sample Request for Tenancy Approval Form
DETERMINING RENT REASONABLENESS
In order to determine if the requested rent amount is reasonable according to Section 8 HCV program standards, like properties are compared as to location, square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, unit type, age and amenities. The landlord's requested rent (with or without utilities included) may not be higher than market-based comparable rents for similar units.
To view our current payment standards and utility allowances click on the links below:
http://phoenix.gov/HOUSING/s8paystd.pdf
http://phoenix.gov/HOUSING/util.pdf
INSPECTIONS
After determining that the rent amount is reasonable, Housing Inspections staff will contact the landlord to schedule a date and time for the housing quality standards (HQS) inspection. Inspectors conducting Section 8 inspections will be looking for health and safety items, along with Federal housing quality standards and minimum local housing codes.
Inspections are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and are normally conducted within two weeks. If the unit passes inspection, it is ready for occupancy and the process continues. If the unit fails inspection, all issues noted on the failed inspection report must be corrected and the unit re-inspected within 30 days. Both tenant and/or landlord may be responsible for correcting failed HQS items. Inspections will occur on an annual basis, following the initial inspection and for as long as the Section 8 participant continues to occupy the unit. It is strongly recommended that the landlord be present at each HQS inspection.
For more information on HQS inspections, click on the links below:
Getting Ready for Inspections
Section 8 Housing Quality Standard Inspection Program
Section 8 Housing Inspection Check List
Ten Most Commonly Failed Inspection Items
Housing Quality Standard Inspection Policy
US Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards
CONTRACTS & LEASES
Once the inspection passes, Housing Department staff will create the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) contracts and leases. These are normally completed and mailed within ten working days. As a landlord in the Section 8 HCV program, you will sign a contract with the city of Phoenix and a lease with the Section 8 participant for a term of one year (12 months.) After the initial lease term, additional contract and lease terms will renew automatically year to year, unless landlord or tenant decide to terminate the lease and subject to any program requirements.
Contracts and leases should be returned to the Section 8 Office with all proper signatures as soon as possible in order to start the payment process. The first housing assistance payment will be made four to six weeks after contracts and leases are executed. Please note that most contracts become effective the day after the unit passes the inspection and the landlord provides the Section 8 participant with the keys to the unit. In some cases, the effective date will be different and should be written on the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) paperwork. Under this circumstance, the contract and lease cannot be effective before this date.
To view a sample copy of our Section 8 HCV contract and lease, click on the link below:
Sample of Section 8 HAP Contract
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