Property Owners
How to Become A Landlord
Landlords in the private market can lease their apartments to families in the HCV Program. The program is federally funded and administered by Dover Housing Authority.
The process of renting to a family in the HCV program is similar to renting to a family in the private market – the landlord screens and selects tenants, collects rent and maintains the property.
How it Works
Eligible families will receive a “Voucher” from DHA. The Voucher will state the amount of rent DHA will pay directly to the landlord. The remaining portion is the responsibility of the tenant. Families must find housing within a certain time frame of receiving a Voucher.
If you choose to rent to a family with a Voucher, complete the Request for Tenancy Approval form and have the family deliver the form to DHA. DHA Occupancy Specialists will review the RFTA to see if the unit fits within the payment standard. If the unit is approved, an inspection will be scheduled.
After the inspection has been conducted and the unit has passed, the landlord, DHA and tenant will agree on a lease-up date.
Applicant Screening
DHA screens Voucher holders for program eligibility only – to determine how much rent DHA will subsidize and how much rent the tenant will pay on their own. As in the private market, the owner is responsible for screening applicants for suitability as tenants. Selecting tenants, whether Voucher holders or not, is limited only by fair housing requirements and the prohibition of discrimination as established by federal and state law.
Owner Responsibilities
A property owner or landlord who rents to a DHA housing assistance programs participant must comply with all terms and conditions of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract and the lease agreement as well as federal and state laws.
Property Owner/Landlord Obligations under the Housing Assistance Payment Contract
- Screen prospective assisted tenants using the same selection criteria used for non-assisted tenants.
- Collect security deposit.
- Collect tenant’s portion of the rent; do not ask for or accept side-payments or allow sub-letting.
- Ensure assisted units are maintained in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition.
- Incorporate the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Tenancy Addendum into the lease agreement.
- Enforce the lease agreement.
- When the lease is being enforced, immediately notify DHA in writing of the following situations:
- Unauthorized persons residing in the unit.
- Violations of the lease agreement, including non-payment of rent, criminal activity, etc.
- Service of an eviction notice.
- Service of notice to move only after initial lease term, except for cause.
- The death of a tenant or abandonment of the rental unit.
- Tenant serves notice to move only after initial lease term, moves out of the unit without notice, or is absent from the unit for more than 180 days.
- Change in ownership. For more about change of ownership, click here.
Forms
- Request for Tenancy Form (link to DD)
- Direct Deposit/Payment Form (link to DD form)
- IRS Form W-9 (link to W9 form)
- Lead Disclosure (link attached)
- HAP Contract (link attached)
- Tenancy Addendum (link attached)
Return the completed information to:
Email: HCV@doverhousingauthority.org
Fax: 603-742-6911
Mail: 62 Whittier Street, Dover, NH 03820
Property Owner Resources
NH Housing Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes Program (NHHLHCHHP) –
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- New Hampshire Housing’s Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program (NHHLHCHHP) is dedicated to eliminating childhood lead poisoning by providing tools and funding through federal grants and state loans to assist homeowners and residential property owners to be lead-safe certified. Grant funding is through HUD.
Somersworth Community Development Corporation (SCDC)
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- A non-profit corporation offering low-interest loans to Somersworth Citizens and Business Owners.
- Created to promote the growth and prosperity of the City of Somersworth, including provision for low-income and elderly housing to eliminate blighted areas; to provide an opportunity for Somersworth residents and business owners to increase the value of their properties.
Rental Property Owners Association
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- The Rental Property Owners Association is a member based, non-profit organization serving the Greater Seacoast of NH & Maine. It is a group of diverse rental property owners and manager from various backgrounds and its mission is to promote education and a better understanding of rental property ownership and landlord/tenant relations.
HUD Published information for HCV landlords
