Realty Nena

According to Philadelphia’s HAPCO, the city is offering increased benefits for landlords who can help displaced tenants from the University City Townhomes this fall. The relocation firm, Triad Associates, says the work to replace the 58 families has been moving slowly, and owners with rental vacancies are still very much needed. Triad says the residents have been great tenants, are current in their rents, and have all been issued Housing Choice Vouchers, or HCV (Section 8).

The owners of University City Townhomes are providing all residents with relocation benefits which include:

1. payment of application fees
2. payment of security deposit (that you would return to the resident whenever they move next)
3. payment of moving expenses

In addition, the Philadelphia Housing Authority has agreed to the following for the relocation residents:

1. fast tracked approvals
2. inspections within 2-3 business days
3. possible 20% increase in monthly rents above published PHA standards – PHA will review on a case-by-case basis

More than 40 families already have the vouchers and the remainder will be getting their vouchers in a few weeks. Residents will need 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms.  You can have any resident interested schedule with you, and Triad Associates can also arrange a group showing. If you are having an open house, Triad will pass on the the dates and times and assist residents if they need transportation.

For more information, call Beth Mingey with Triad Associates at (856) 481-7044 or email Beth at bmingey@triadincorporated.com.

However, part of the issue is that there aren’t enough properties to accept these vouchers for many – if not most – of these displaced families. Many of these tenants, who have lived at the UC Townhomes for decades, are concerned about being able to have a new home accessible to them.

So it’s worth reviewing the requirements to become and HCV landlord.

How to Become an HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) Landlord

The HCV program is geared toward the following goals:

• Provide improved living conditions for low-income families while maintaining rent payments at an affordable level
• Promote freedom of housing choice and integrate lower-income and minority families into mainstream society
• Provide an incentive to private owners to rent to lower-income families by offering timely assistance payments, a pool of families to select from, and regular inspections to ensure upkeep of the property.

Owner Certification Training

According to the PHA website, the initial step to becoming an HCV landlord is to register for the free HCV Owner Certification Training. This training is mandatory for participation and renting a unit in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

PHA now conducts Owner Certification Training virtually with the following schedule each week:

Tuesday morning 10am-1pm 

Click on the link to register:  PHA’s HCV Owner Certification Training Tickets

The training sessions are conducted by PHA staff and help owners understand HCV program regulations and PHA policies. They cover how the HCV program works, the rights and responsibilities of participating property owners and how to conduct business with PHA effectively. 

Failure to attend this training is considered non-compliance and will result in PHA disapproval of participation as a vendor on the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Listing Your Property:

Learn more about PHA’s online property listings here.

Required Documentation:

Landlords must have the following documents before a unit can be leased:

• A current Renter’s License for the unit being leased.
  • You can obtain a license from the Municipal Service Building. Department of License Issuance Unit, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102.
  • PHA will also accept a receipt from the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections showing that you have applied for the rental license. However, you must forward PHA a copy of the actual rental license once you receive it.
• A copy of the Deed of Record (which can be obtained from City Hall) or HUD 1 Settlement Sheet (which can be obtained from the title company you closed with).
• Photo identification of owner and certified rental agent or property management company (if applicable).
• A completed IRS Form W-9, Request of Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification for owner or certified rental agent or property management company (if applicable). Click here for the W-9 Form.
• If an individual other than the owner will manage the property then the following documents must be completed:
  • Agent Authorization Form
  • Owner/Agent Contract

Landlords must also:

• submit a government-issued document to verify the Employer Identification Number (EIN) used on the W-9. If individual Social Security Number (SSN) is used, you must provide copy of Social Security Card.
• agree to direct deposit of monies for Housing Assistance Payments.
  • Must submit Direct Deposit form with a voided check.
  • Click here for the Direct Deposit Form.
• be current with property taxes prior to Housing Quality Inspection.
• be current with utilities prior to Housing Quality Inspection.
  • Utilities must be turned on by the landlord at the time of inspection in order for the inspection to be completed.
• have an approved Housing Quality Inspection.
  • A PHA inspector, prior to signing of the lease, will conduct an inspection to ensure the unit meets PHA’s standards.

Note: All information will be collected at the time of lease up with the client.

Note: All owners residing twenty-five miles or more outside of the City of Philadelphia must have a certified rental agent or property management company to represent their property. The owner is required to submit a signed Agent/Owner Contract to confirm that the individual presenting him/herself to PHA is authorized to act on the owner’s behalf.

This information is not exhaustive of all the parameters and requirements involved in the HCV program. For more information, please visit the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s web page for Housing Choice Voucher landlords.