What is an HCVP Landlord?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), also known as Section 8, helps low-income families gain access to safe, affordable housing. In that sense, HCVP landlords provide an important community service. When their rental properties are available through the HCVP program, they help low-income families achieve their goals and enhance community stability.
If you’re thinking about participating in the program, and you’d like to know more about the benefits and responsibilities of being an HCVP landlord, this guide is a great way to get started.
Advantages of Becoming an HCVP Landlord
If you have a property that you believe would benefit from participating in the HCVP program, there are a variety of advantages:
- Finding tenants: PMHA helps HCVP landlords by educating participants about available properties, and there are free listing resources available.
- Guaranteed payment: Landlords receive consistent and timely payment each month via direct deposits.
- Regular inspections: Required inspections can help landlords stay on top of property care and maintenance.
- Community support: HCVP landlords help support vulnerable populations, including the elderly and disabled, single parents, and military veterans.
HCVP Landlord Incentives
PMHA offers a one-time incentive payment of $1,000.00 to new landlords, upon the execution of a new contract for a tenant-based HCVP participant. A “new landlord” is someone who has not rented to a tenant-based voucher participant within the past twelve (12) months.
To read about other Landlord Incentives, click here.
How to Get Started as a Landlord in Ohio
If you want to become an HCVP landlord, it’s important to start by understanding the legal requirements of landlord/tenant relationships in the State of Ohio. Also make sure to review PMHA’s information packet for landlords, which provides details on how the program works for Portage County participants.
Responsibilities of a Landlord
The primary responsibility of a landlord is to provide “habitable” housing to the community. That means the property should fully comply with all building and safety standards, and the dwelling and common spaces should be sanitary, secure, and regularly maintained. This includes ensuring there is running water, and all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, HVAC, appliances, elevators, and other supplied requirements are in good working order.
Landlord Rights & Obligations
Landlords have the right to collect a security deposit within the guideline of Ohio law, and they should expect to receive all rent payments on time. They also should require that tenants do their part in making sure the property remains habitable. All of these items should be spelled out in your lease agreement.
Unless it’s an emergency, a landlord should provide 24-hours notice of intent to enter and should do so only at reasonable times. In situations where a tenant fails to meet their obligations, a landlord does have the right to take legal action.
PMHA Is Here to Help
PMHA offers quarterly landlord orientation sessions, where you can get educated on various topics such as inspections, regulations, and payment information. We also offer a landlord portal that gives 24/7 access to current and past inspection information, payment history, and contact information.