Section 8
New Landlord Information & Inspections

 

How To Become a Voucher Program Landlord
Many Voucher holders are families who receive income from a combination of sources because they are elderly, disabled, attend school, or work in jobs where they just don't earn enough to support themselves or their families.  The program helps low-income households by subsidizing their rents.  The subsidy payments, made directly to the landlord, are usually the difference between a percentage of tenant income and the payment standard established for housing units by bedroom size.  You can post your property on www.gosection8.com and potential tenants will contact you.

How Does the Program Work
Approving a tenant. The City of Mesa determines the income eligibility of  tenants for Housing Choice Voucher assistance.  Landlords must approve the tenant through their own screening process.
 
Unit Approval
The City of Mesa inspects all properties before a Housing Choice Voucher Program Contract is signed by using HUD Housing Quality Standards guidelines.  If a property does not pass this inspection, a reasonable amount of time will be given for the landlord to make the necessary repairs and the property will be re-inspected.  
 
Signing A Contract and Lease
After the unit passes the HQS Inspection and meets the program requirements, 1) the City of Mesa and the Landlord will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract, and 2) the tenant and the landlord will enter into a 12-month rental lease agreement.
 
Getting Paid
 After the contract and lease are signed, the City of Mesa will make the initial HAP Payment and continue to make monthly payments as long as the tenant and property continue to meet the program criteria. The tenant will pay their portion of the monthly rent directly to the landlord.

Landlords - to register your property visit the following website:  www.gosection8.com


Inspections 

Housing Inspections are done prior to a new tenant occupying a unit under housing assistance and at least once a year during continued occupancy.  Federal regulations require minimum Housing Quality Standards. This includes but is not limited to:  
  • kitchen with working oven & stove or range; refrigerator; sink; space to store and prepare food
  • separate private bath with flush toilet in proper operating condition; fixed wash basin; shower or tub
  • exterior doors must be lockable and not allow pests/vermin into the unit
  • kitchen area and bathroom must have a permanent light fixture and the kitchen area must have at least one electrical outlet.
  • windows accessible from the outside (basement, 1st floor, fire escape) must be open and lockable
  • the living room and every bedroom must have at least two electrical outlets
  • a safe system for heating the dwelling and provide adequate heating and cooling to each room
  • ceilings, walls, floors, roof, exterior walls must be structurally sound and weather tight
  • there must be at least one window in the living room and in each sleeping room
  • MUST have at least one smoke detector on each level of the dwelling unit
  • must be free of lead-based paint
  • must meet city codes
 
Items which will violate Housing Quality Standards
(HQS) include such things as:
  • peeling or flaking paint
  • windows that are cracked or broken
  • water leaks
  • lack of proper ventilation of flue on hot water tank
  • weak or broken floor boards
  • faulty plumbing
  • missing electrical outlet covers or switch plates
  • inoperable smoke detectors
For further information about HQS Inspections contact our office at 480.644.3536.
 

 

Housing and Community Development

20 E. Main Street, Suite 250
Mesa, AZ 85201

Mailing Address
 PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211-1466

Tel   480.644.3536
Fax  480.644.2923
AzRelay 7-1-1

Email Us: housing.info@mesaaz.gov

Hours
7am-6pm
Monday-Thursday






Fair Housing
Fair Housing


Eligibility Information and Applications

Transfer your Voucher to Another City or State (Portability)

New Landlord Info and Inspections

 Family Self-Sufficiency Program