LANDLORD/OWNER Q&A

1.  Is the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority looking for a number of available units in the City of Portsmouth?

The Authority is looking for as many available units as possible to ensure a range of opportunities for program participants.

2. Is the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority looking for specific areas or a   specific number of units?

The Authority is looking at the City at large to ensure that no one area or community will be adversely affected or impacted by the program.

3.  Do you have to sell to the City when your lease is Up?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is limited solely to the leasing of individual existing units and has nothing to do with the acquisition of these properties.

4.  Is the government going to keep this program going and what is the durations?

The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority will enter into Annual   Contracts with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The duration of the program is contingent upon decisions made by Congress.

5. Will you be able to select the tenants you want?

The lease for a unit is between the owner and tenant holding a  Housing Voucher. The final decision on selection of a tenant will be made by the apartment owner and/or manager; normal State and Federal fair housing laws prohibiting discrimination in the rental of housing would apply in any event.

6.  Are the people screened by the Authority?

The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority determines eligibility to include criminal history checks and verification of income and family composition. It is the responsibility of landlords and/or property owners to screen applicants, review  background and credit history and to do pre-home visits to determine housekeeping  practices.

7. What are the owner's responsibilities?

Landlords an/or property owners are responsible for normal landlord functions during the lease term including but not limited to maintenance, rent collection, tenant selection  and screening.

8. Is the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority responsible for conduct matters?

Conduct matters are governed by the provisions of the lease agreement as executed between the landlord and the tenant. The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority is not a party to the lease agreement.

9. If you make your unit available, can you put another tenant in when someone vacates?

Yes.  However, to be eligible for subsidy, the new tenant must also be a voucher holder.

10.  Would you provide information concerning inspections?

Authority staff will make all inspections. The inspection will have to meet Housing Quality Standards incorporated in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Regulations. In the event a unit fails to meet these standards a letter stating deficiencies will be sent to the owner so that he or she may make the necessary corrections. A copy of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Quality Standards Inspection booklet is attached as a reference guide.

11. May the landlord's current lease be utilized in the program?

Yes. The landlord is required to provide a lease that mast first be submitted to the Authority for approval; if it does not contain all provisions required by both law and program regulations, a Tenancy Addendum will be incorporated within the lease to address these concerns.

12.        Is the landlord guaranteed a tenant?

 No. Once the unit has been determined eligible for the program, it will be placed on a referral list for participating Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher families.

For more information, please call Ms. Gail R. Johnson, Program Officer, at (757) 391-2920 or by email, or Ms. Carol Thomas, Program Coordinator, at (757) 391-2921 or by email.