Becoming A Landlord

We are always looking for good landlords for our Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) throughout Ashtabula County.

HCVP tenants typically pay 30% - 40% of their adjusted income for rent, while a rent subsidy (paid monthly by AMHA) covers the difference between the approved contract rent and the tenant's rent payment. This guarantees HCV landlords will receive a portion of the rent on time each and every month.

Being a HCVP landlord provides the satisfaction of making it possible for low-income families to enjoy quality, affordable housing. Landlords benefit as well by enjoying the following aspects of the program:

Stable payments
Annual/Biennial inspections of the unit(s)
Fair market rental rates
Renter responsibilities defined in the lease addendum
On-time payments from the third of each month

The Process

Advertise available property. You may list your properties free of charge at our office.

You may also wish to advertise your property through a newspaper or alternative sources, like social media. If so, please place in your ad that "vouchers are welcome”. Once your property is listed, it is your responsibility to legally screen applicants for suitability as tenants. If you receive calls from applicants interested in your unit, take applications, show your unit and choose a family you are interested in renting the unit to.

Request for Tenancy (RFT) Packet. This packet specifies all of the information related to the physical unit details (rent, security deposit, utility and appliance responsibilities). A voucher holder participant will provide the owner with a RFT including a Lead Based Paint Disclosure. Please fill out the forms completely. Both you and the participant should sign and date all forms where indicated. The owner or participant should take the completed forms to the Ashtabula Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) at 3526 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.

Calculation. Once the RFT is received by AMHA a calculation will be completed to see if the unit is a) affordable for the participant b) rent reasonable. Once the calculation is completed a call will be made to both the landlord and the tenant to accept the terms.

Inspection
An inspection will be scheduled on the available unit. All units must pass a National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) inspection to qualify for the program. You will be notified of the date and time of the inspection. If the unit fails, you will be given a list of failed items and ample time to make corrections to the unit. A re-inspection will then be scheduled.

Contract. Once the unit passes the NSPIRE inspection, a move-in date will be established. You will be scheduled to sign the contract in the office. The contract is the agreement between the owner and AMHA. The contract will be for 12 months.

Lease
EFECTIVE January 1, 2021, the owner will be responsible for writing up their own private lease according to the Ohio Tenant Landlord Laws & Tenancy Addendum provided by HUD. A signed lease must be turned into AMHA for approval.

HAP Payment
After the contract and lease is signed by the owner, the monthly HAP payments will begin. AMHA will make the initial HAP Payment and continue to make monthly payments if the participant and the property continues to meet program criteria. HAP payments are made to the owner by direct deposit. It is the owner's responsibility to collect the participant's monthly portion of the rent and enforce the lease.

Renter Responsibility is an Enforced Part of our Contract

The Ashtabula Metropolitan Housing Authority has made responsibility part of our contract by including landlord and renter obligations. The obligations on the part of the renters are to:

Pay the assigned share of the rent to the owner in a timely and consistent manner
Meet lease conditions
Pay a security deposit
Permit reasonable inspection by AMHA and the owner
Give AMHA notice of change in income, family composition or intent to move as per HUD regulations
Cooperate with AMHA's review of income
Avoid criminal activity
Keep your unit clean and sanitary
Pay all utility bills you are required to pay
Maintain appliances in a clean and working manner

Additionally…

It is just good business to meet the needs of your community by providing decent, safe, sanitary & affordable housing for families in our community. Plus, there is the guaranteed rent. You can bank on receiving your Housing Choice Voucher Program rent subsidy check via direct deposit each month. As always, please communicate any issues you have with the HCV Program Manager. Open lines of communication help alleviate issues getting out of hand. We are happy to enforce the program rules and regulations to make sure all parties are able to enjoy their participation in the program.

Helpful Links:

HUD Website

Inspection Checklist