Landlords

Payments
Every month, the landlord receives two checks (or a direct deposit): one from the family and one from VHDA. Payments are made to the term of the specified contract.

Acceptance
The Rental Assistance Office does not screen Housing Choice Voucher participants for suitability as tenants. As a landlord, you are encouraged to use any or all of the following screening methods as long as you do not discriminate in your tenant selection based on race, color, religion, sex, country of birth, handicap or familial status.
  • Credit check
  • Criminal background check
  • Rental history
  • Landlord references
  • Home visits
Contracts & Leases
The unit must pass an initial inspection (HQS) and the rent has to be reasonable. Afterward, the landlord and tenant enter into a lease for an initial term of one year. The Rental Assistance Office and the landlord sign a Housing Assistance Payments Contract through which rent is assisted on behalf of the tenant.

Landlords may collect a security deposit, but the deposit cannot be in excess of private practice, or in excess of amounts charged by the owner to unassisted tenants.