ALBEMARLE COUNTY OFFICE OF HOUSING

Landlord Information Page

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps low-income families pay their rent.  The Housing Choice Voucher allows families to rent from privately owned rental properties.  The Program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is administered locally by the County of Albemarle County Office of Housing (ACOH).
 

The Office of Housing works with prospective tenants to assess how much rental assistance they may qualify for.  The tenant pays of their monthly income towards rent.  The remaining rent is paid by ACOH directly to the landlord.
 

Our clients go through rigorous counseling and education programs.  Case-managers provide client support services to ensure healthy homes and strong families.
 

 How can the Housing Choice Voucher Program help me?

The subsidized rental portion paid by ACOH is paid directly to the landlord/management company, on time, each month.  Properties that accept Housing Choice Vouchers as are listed for prospective tenants, lowering your marketing costs.  Subsidy amounts can be adjusted depending on the tenant's needs.  If a tenant is employed, the amount of their rent is adjusted according to their income.  This means you STILL receive your full rent each month, regardless of the tenant's employment status.

The Office of Housing will produce periodical newsletters to address pressing landlord issues.  Please visit the FORMS CENTER for a list of published newsletters. 

 How do I sign up for the program?

You may contact the HQS Inspector, Clifford Hammill via telephone (434) 296-5839 and he would be happy to provide program particulars.  You may also download the GuideForLandlords.pdf at the Albemarle County Housing Office Forms Center.  You will find an information query form within the brochure.  You may complete the form and mail it the address indicated on the form.
 

 IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS (HQS): Each dwelling that is rented to a Housing Choice Voucher Program participant must meet HUD housing quality standards.  Each unit is inspected prior to occupancy and then annually.  All required repairs or renovations must be completed before the Housing Choice Voucher Program participant is allowed to lease and occupy the unit.

FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Landlord/management company and their agents are required to comply with all federal and state fair housing laws.  Landlord/management company and their agents shall not deny tenancy based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, familial status, handicap or disability.

LEASE EXECUTION: Once a unit passes the HQS inspection, the tenant, landlord/management company and ACOH will execute contracts between the various parties.  The landlord/management company will have a contract with the tenant and a separate contract with ACOH.  The landlord/management company should collect any deposits and application fees from the tenant before the tenant moves into the unit.  The landlord/management company will receive the tenant's portion of the rent directly from ACOH each month.

SECURITY DEPOSIT: The landlord/management company may collect up to the maximum allowable deposit under the Virginia Residential Landlord/management company and Tenant Act (VRLTA).  Please refer to the act for more specific information.

TAX INFORMATION: Rental assistance paid to the landlord/management company/management company under the Housing Choice Voucher program is reported to the Internal Revenue Service.  1099 tax forms are issued to the landlord/management company annually.

TENANT SELECTION: The landlord/management company/management company is responsible for ensuring the tenant meets selection criteria.  The criteria must be provided, in writing, to applicants.

ACOH strives to minimize any additional paperwork and administrative tasks required of the landlord/management company.  ACOH prepares the tenant paperwork prior to lease execution and apprises them of their rights and responsibilities.