Welcome, Landlords!
Thank you for your interest and participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. The success of the program depends on the participation of private property owners like you.
As a property owner participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program, you must comply with certain regulations and procedures established by HUD and the Housing Authority. INRHA is committed to improving the efficiency of procedures to ensure that participating in the program is a positive experience for owners.
HCV Program Basics, Benefits & Ways to Participate
Watch this quick overview of the program and its benefits for you as a landlord. See below for our frequently asked questions.
Benefits of the HCV Program
Guaranteed Rent Payments
INRHA pays its share of rent directly to you on the first business day of each month. INRHA's share is generally the largest portion of the rent payment.
Tenant Stability
If a tenant's income decreases, INRHA recalculates and adjusts the payment — potentially covering the entire rent — so you are not at risk of losing monthly income.
Annual Inspections
INRHA inspects and approves your unit at initial lease-up and annually thereafter, giving you an objective view of your property's condition.
Coordinator Support
Experienced housing coordinators assist you with questions and issues, and will encourage model tenancy for continuation of subsidy.
Open Market vs. HCV Program
See how renting to HCV families compares to the open rental market.
Landlord selects the tenant based on own criteria and standards.
Same as open rental market, but INRHA can furnish name, address, and phone number for the last two landlords who rented to the assisted family, plus knowledge of criminal history.
Landlord may collect a security deposit up to two months' rent.
Same as open rental market.
Landlord provides the rental agreement and selects the term (month-to-month or annual).
Same as open rental market with the exception of an initial 12-month lease term.
Tenant is solely responsible for payments. No protection against unpaid rent when family finances change.
Tenant pays approximately 30–40% of income directly to the landlord. INRHA pays the balance on the first business day of the month.
Tenant can fall behind if income decreases, causing a costly eviction process and vacancy.
INRHA recalculates income and adjusts the payment. INRHA could pay the entire rent, so the owner is not at risk.
Landlord may evict tenant in accordance with Iowa State Law.
Same as open rental market.
Tenant has no incentive to keep unit in good condition other than the security deposit.
Tenant is at risk of losing rental assistance in addition to the security deposit by damaging the unit.
After initial term, rent increases require 30 days written notice.
After initial term, rent increases require 60 days written notice.
No case managers familiar with your tenant.
Experienced housing coordinators assist you with questions and issues.
Landlord conducts inspections in accordance with local codes.
INRHA inspects and approves the unit at initial lease-up and annually thereafter.
Housing Quality Standards
Inspectors enforce the housing quality standards using NSPIRE — National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate — established by HUD to ensure assisted units meet minimum health and safety standards.
A comprehensive reference guide for items to be inspected is available from HUD. Preparing your unit before inspection reduces delays and keeps rent payments on schedule.
View Landlord FormsMost Common Inspection Failures
- Inoperable smoke alarms (dead batteries or missing batteries)
- Missing or cracked electrical outlet cover plates
- Railings not present where required (four or more steps)
- Deteriorated paint surfaces (peeling, cracking, or flaking paint)
- Tripping hazards from permanently installed floor coverings
- Cracked or broken window panes
- Inoperable burners on stoves or inoperable range hoods
- Missing burner control knobs
- Defective refrigerator gaskets (broken seal allowing air to escape)
- Leaking faucets or other plumbing
- No temperature/pressure relief valve on water heaters
- No insulation around front and back doors
- No GFCI outlet within six feet of a water source
When will I receive the check for rent?
INRHA mails or directly deposits rent checks to landlords on the first business day of each month. Weekends and/or holidays may affect the time checks are received. Payments are remitted only after units pass inspection and all required documentation is complete. We are now processing direct deposit for housing assistance payments — contact our office for a Direct Deposit Authorization form.
How much can I collect for a security deposit?
Landlords may request the same amount that would be required for families not receiving assistance — usually equivalent to one month's rent. If move-in specials are being offered to non-assisted tenants, they should be offered to assisted families as well.
If I want more rent than approved by INRHA, can the family pay the difference?
No. Families can only pay the amount specified by INRHA. It is considered fraud if the landlord requires the family to pay anything other than what is approved by INRHA. Both parties could face fraud charges and be ordered to repay amounts paid by INRHA. You may be banned from future participation and the family may be terminated from the program.
Can the family add someone to the lease or household?
Only if approved by the landlord first. It is the landlord's responsibility to screen tenants and give approval. After landlord approval, a written request must be submitted to the Housing Coordinator detailing where the person lived before, why it is necessary, and what income they may have. All of this must be completed prior to move-in.
How much rent can I get for my unit?
The maximum rent is determined after two points of negotiation: HUD's required rent reasonableness test, and the family's income and family composition. At initial leasing, participating families are not allowed to pay more than 40% of their adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities.
What is "Rent Reasonableness"?
Housing authorities are required to compare the rent paid for assisted units to unassisted units, considering factors such as unit size, age, quality, type, location, amenities, services provided, maintenance, and utilities. The purpose is to ensure a fair rent is paid and that the HCV program does not inflate rents in the community.
How do I determine which family will move into my unit?
It is the owner's responsibility to screen a family for suitability — INRHA has no liability in this area. Owners may screen based on tenancy history and background factors such as drug-related criminal activity. Screening procedures for HCV families should not differ from those used for open-market families.
What happens if I don't repair items that failed the inspection?
If the unit is not yet occupied, INRHA will not execute the contract or issue rent payments until repairs are completed and reinspected. For occupied units in annual reexamination, the landlord must make repairs or the tenant will be advised to move to continue receiving assistance. If repairs are not made within the designated timeframe, the monthly assistance payment will be abated until the problem is resolved — during this time, the tenant is still responsible for their portion of rent.
Ready to Partner With Us?
Contact our office to learn more about listing your unit or to get answers to any questions not covered here.
Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | Fri by appointment