The Section 8 Process
- Tenant locates a unit they are interested in renting and confirms that the landlord is interested in participating in the Section 8 program
- Landlord completes lease approval documents
- Tenant schedules appointment with caseworker and returns signed lease approval documents
- Caseworker determines tenant eligibility for the selected house (based on rent to income ratio)
- Tenant must show written proof of service eligibility from the utility companies
- Caseworker notifies inspector to schedule Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection
- When the house passes HQS, the caseworker is notified and the process continues
- If the house fails HQS, the landlord is required to complete all repairs and pass re-inspection before the inspection passes
- Tenant pays deposit
- Tenant meets with caseworker to receive final approval for move-in
- Caseworker generates a move-in approval and delivers it to the landlord by mail or preferably by fax
Notes:
Rent will be prorated in instances of approval after the beginning of the month.
In no circumstance will rental assistance begin before satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted.
If the landlord grants permission for tenant move-in prior to the time that satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted, the tenant will be responsible for any rent incurred from the time of move-in until the time that satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted.