The Section 8 Process

• Tenant locates a unit they are interested in renting and confirms that the landlord is interested in participating in the Section 8 program
• Landlord completes lease approval documents
• Tenant schedules appointment with caseworker and returns signed lease approval documents
• Caseworker determines tenant eligibility for the selected house (based on rent to income ratio)
• Tenant must show written proof of service eligibility from the utility companies
• Caseworker notifies inspector to schedule Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection
• When the house passes HQS, the caseworker is notified and the process continues
• If the house fails HQS, the landlord is required to complete all repairs and pass re-inspection before the inspection passes
• Tenant pays deposit
• Tenant meets with caseworker to receive final approval for move-in
• Caseworker generates a move-in approval and delivers it to the landlord by mail or preferably by fax

NOTES:

Rent will be prorated in instances of approval after the beginning of the month.

In no circumstance will rental assistance begin before satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted.

If the landlord grants permission for tenant move-in prior to the time that satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted, the tenant will be responsible for any rent incurred from the time of move-in until the time that satisfactory inspection is accomplished and approval for move-in is granted.