HCV Landlord Myth-Busting

Myth: HUD will not provide timely payments to the HCV Program Landlords
Truth: False
Explanation: Participating, compliant landlords will receive timely and dependable housing assistance payments (HAP) each month once the HAP contract and lease are signed.  

Myth: Landlords can't charge HCV participants the same rent as their non-HCV tenants.
Truth: False
Explanation: Landlords can charge the full rent no matter who the tenant is. The housing authority must determine that the proposed rent is reasonable and is not higher than units in that area with similar amenities.
When an HCV tenant's income permanently changes, the portion of rent paid by the PHA and the tenant is adjusted to reflect this change. This provides financial protection to landlords in that if an HCV tenant's income decreases, there is a process for the PHA to pay a larger portion of the rent to the landlord so the landlord continues to receive a full rental payment.

Myth: Once a contract is signed, a landlord cannot raise the rent at any time.
Truth: False
Explanation: Compliant landlords may request a rent increase at the annual anniversary of the HAP contract by written notice to the PHA. We will even provide you with the form.

Myth: The Housing Authority will inspect either annually or biannually.
Truth: True
Explanation: Some landlords appreciate the routine inspections because they provide an opportunity to check on the condition of the unit. This can result in identifying maintenance needs that may have otherwise gone unnoticed for some time. Landlords who own or manage properties across wide geographies, in particular, tend to appreciate the value of having a routine, objective inspection of their rental units.

Myth: HCV Voucher tenants are problem tenants.
Truth: False
Explanation: Actually, HCV tenants are typically long-term tenants, living in a unit for 7-8 years on average. There are no documented statistics showing that HCV participants are any more likely to damage units or not pay rent than non-HCV tenants. Landlords use their own screening criteria and should screen HCV tenants as they would screen any other tenant to avoid problem tenants.

Myth: It is almost impossible to evict an HCV tenant when they violate the lease.
Truth: False
Explanation: HCV tenants are bound by the terms of their rental agreements and are subject to eviction, as is any non-HCV tenant.

Myth: If you accept one HCV Program tenant, then all of your units must be rented to HCV Program Tenants
Truth: False
Explanation: Renting unit(s) to HCV tenants does not in itself further obligate you to rent to other HCV tenants. For each vacancy, you should follow your established policies for screening prospective tenants.