Investor · Hillsborough County · Member since 2024 · 30 posts · 15 votes
My local housing authority put in some vague language to the payment standards for the landlord. And I need some clarification from those who are section 8 landlords.
Regarding the actual payment to landlords, they said, "Once it passes the inspection and rent comparability (this is where we make sure your asking rent is the same as the market), the housing specialist will give the move in approval."
What is this "rent comparability" language? I do know that HUD posts rates and the local housing authority can pay between 90-110% of that payment standard for the particular zip code the property is in. In my particular case the lower end of HUD payment (90%) is still much higher than market rents. So does that mean the local housing authority has the ability to pay less than the lower payment standard of 90%? I'm very nervous about that vague language of "rent comparability".
The housing authority can mitigate the rent payment based on the utilities that the tenant must pay. Therefore, if the tenant must pay heat, electric, hot water, cold water, sewer or trash, their rent assistance would be lowered to accommodate the tenant utility payments. And conversely is ALL utilities are included in the rent the assistance payment will be higher. In my market a 3br apt rents for less than a 3br townhouse, which rents for less than a 3 br detached house. Housing does NOT use this distinction. They do not add more for garage, basement extra storage, central air conditioning etc, which are market rent additives.