FAQ for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Landlords

This is not true. Landlords can charge the full rent no matter who the tenant is. SCCHA must determine that the proposed rent is reasonable and is not higher than units in that area with similar amenities.

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 are 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.

Yes, HCV tenants are bound by the terms of their rental agreements and are subject to eviction as is any non-HCV tenant.

No, 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.

You will get timely and dependable payments from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority. Participating, compliant landlords will receive timely and dependable housing assistance payments (HAP) each month once the HAP contract and lease are signed.

You will get your full rental payment. When a 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 a HCV tenant’s income decreases, there is a process for SCCHA to pay a larger portion of the rent to the landlord so the landlord continues to receive a full rental payment.

You will receive regular inspections. 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 that own or manage properties across wide geographies in particular tend to appreciate the value in having a routine, objective inspection of their rental units.

You may request annual reasonable rent increases. Compliant landlords may request a rent increase at the annual anniversary of the HAP contract by written notice to the PHA.

You have the opportunity to help low-income elderly, disabled, and veteran households, as well as families with children by providing affordable housing.

List your vacant unit on AffordableHousing.com (formerly GoSection8.com). You’ll be instantly connected to a pipeline of tenants who are ready to lease!

SCCHA's 3rd party inspection agency NMAI will contact you to determine a time that's convenient to conduct the Housing Quality Standards inspection.

Read more about the Inspection process

Your Section 8 tenant can move-in after the unit has passed the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection and SCCHA and the Housing Assistance Payment contract has been executed between you (landlord) and SCCHA, and a contract rent amount has been agreed upon.

Once the Housing Assistance Payment contract is executed, payments enter the very next check run. Thereafter, you can expect payment on the 1st of each month. The Housing Choice Voucher holder pays their rent portion directly to you or the property manager, and SCCHA sends the balance of the rent (Housing Assistance Payment) via mail or direct deposit. Most landlords prefer direct deposit - to get started, sign up on the Owner Portal.

SCCHA pays market rates to landlords renting to tenants with a Housing Choice Voucher. To determine how much we can approve for your unit, we will compare your unit to similar non-assisted units that have recently been rented in your neighborhood.

SCCHA will inform you of the rent amount that can be approved and will try to work with you to reach an agreement. Please be aware that landlords are not permitted to collect more money from the Section 8 participant to receive a higher rent amount than is approved. "Side payments" are considered fraud and can lead to program, civil, and criminal penalties or charges.