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Basic
Information
Section 8 is a rental subsidy program dedicated to assisting
eligible tenants in units on the open market. The objective is to provide safe, decent,
sanitary, and affordable housing for low income families who are holding a Voucher issued
by the program. Section 8 does not interfere with landlord/tenant relationship, but acts
as mediator when necessary to resolve conflict. The landlord retains the right
to screen prospective tenants, select tenants, and to evict for good cause.
Landlords who are interested in renting to Section 8 participants can have their name and
phone number placed on the "Prospective Landlord/Unit Listing". Eligible
applicants from the waiting list are briefed and issued a Housing
Choice Voucher. The
voucher specifies the number of bedrooms needed and timeframe within which to find a unit.
Tenants are also given listings of interested landlords to help them in finding a unit.
Section 8 recipients may find a unit by using the listing, reading the paper,
or by word of mouth. Renting from a family member is generally not
allowed. In very specific circumstances, it may be permitted, but it
requires written approval from the Housing Authority. When a tenant secures a unit, the landlord and
tenant will complete the Request for Tenancy Approval and submit it to the Section 8 office.
The Request for Tenancy Approval gives the Section 8 office permission to inspect a unit on
behalf of the tenant. It is the owner/managers responsibility to contact the Section 8
Inspector to set up an inspection appointment.
Once the unit passes inspection, the owner can allow the tenant to move
in. The KCKHA discourages landlords from allowing tenants to move in
prior to the unit passing inspection and a rent amount being agreed
upon. If the unit passes inspection prior to the 20th of the month,
the rent will be prorated, if occupied by the tenant. If the unit
does not pass inspection until after the 20th of the month, no prorated
rent will be paid for that month. The effective date will become the
1st of the next month. The owner/landlord will receive a letter
notifying them to come into the Section 8 office to sign the HAP contract
and provide a signed copy of the lease. The dates on the lease must
coincide with the dates on the HAP contract. All HAP contracts must
be signed within 60 days of the effective date; otherwise, HUD does not
allow the KCKHA to pay the landlord.
The owner/landlord agrees to maintain and
operate the property in accordance with the Housing Quality Standards
(HQS), permit the unit to be inspected, notify Section 8 staff of any
unscheduled move-outs by the tenants, maintain a current city rental
license, and keep all real estate property taxes current. The owner
agrees to comply with Form HUD-52641
and HUD-52641A.
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