Landlords

Landlord Information

Owner Responsibilities

A property owner or landlord who rents to a Donna Housing Authority housing-assistance program participant must comply with the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract, the lease agreement, and applicable federal and state laws.

Obligations Under the Housing Assistance Payment Contract

• Collect the security deposit.
• Collect the tenant’s portion of the rent. Do not request or accept side payments.
• Maintain assisted units in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition.
• Enforce the lease agreement.
• When enforcing the lease, immediately notify the public housing authority about:
  1. Unauthorized people residing in the unit.
  2. Lease violations, including nonpayment of rent or criminal activity.
  3. An eviction notice served on the tenant.
  4. The tenant’s death or abandonment of the rental unit.
  5. A tenant’s notice to move after the initial lease term, departure without notice, or absence from the unit for more than 180 days.
  6. A change in ownership.

Benefits of Participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program

• Provide affordable housing to Donna families.
• Use your own lease.
• Receive free initial, follow-up, special, and annual unit inspections.

Program Responsibilities

The Housing Choice Voucher Program depends on cooperation among the housing authority, assisted family, and owner or property manager. It is designed to preserve the usual owner-tenant relationship. The housing authority’s primary role is to subsidize eligible families’ rent; other lease matters must be resolved between the landlord and tenant.

Housing Authority Responsibilities

• Review applicants and determine family eligibility.
• Explain program rules to families and property owners or managers.
• Issue vouchers to eligible families.
• Inspect assisted units for compliance with housing quality standards.
• Approve the unit, owner, and lease.
• Make housing-assistance payments to the owner in a timely manner.
• Reexamine family income and composition annually, adjust rent, and process changes to rent portions when income or household composition changes.
• Ensure that owners and families comply with program rules.
• Provide prompt, professional service to owners and tenant families.

Owner Responsibilities

• Thoroughly screen and interview applicant families.
• Maintain the property and make necessary repairs promptly.
• Collect application fees, security deposits, and the tenant’s monthly rent portion specified in the lease notification letter.
• Manage the property and enforce the lease.
• Comply with the Housing Assistance Payment contract and HUD requirements.
• Provide a current valid photo ID, warranty deed, and Social Security number.

Family Responsibilities

• Provide complete and accurate information about family income and household composition.
• Report changes in income and household composition promptly.
• Locate a suitable unit and pay the security deposit and application fees to the owner after inspection.
• Attend scheduled appointments and return documents on time.
• Maintain the property and handle minor repairs.
• Comply with the lease.
• Pay the family’s portion of the rent to the owner on time.
• Comply with all family obligations under the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Direct Deposit

Landlords who receive Housing Assistance Payments must receive those payments by direct deposit. Holidays may affect deposit dates.

Monthly payment statements are sent by email, so landlords must provide a current email address. Paper statements are no longer mailed.

Visit the Donna Housing Authority office to report or submit the following:

• Ownership changes
• Tax ID form
• W-9 form
• Direct-deposit information
• Owner address changes