Property Owners: Getting Approved to Receive Rental Assistance
To be approved to receive rental assistance payments, property owners must complete rental assistance paperwork and pass an inspection.
While the time required to complete the signing and processing of lease and rental assistance paperwork varies, it typically takes between three-and-six weeks.
Steps to get approved to receive rental assistance:
1. Determine if the amount you charge for rent will be approved for rental assistance (optional)
There are limits to the amount property owners can charge for rent and still receive rental assistance. Rent limits, also called payment standards or Fair Market Rent, are determined by the local housing authority or HUD for each type of rental property based on various factors, including average fair market rental rate for location, utilities, number of bedrooms, etc.
Contact an LSS Housing Specialist to determine whether the amount you charge for rent can be approved to receive rental assistance payments according to payment standards or Fair Market Rent. You can also review current payment standards published on the HousingLink website.
2. Complete rental assistance paperwork
Once you have completed your normal application process and approved a tenant, you will need to submit the following paperwork to LSS:
- Verification of tenant approval for the unit
- Copy of your rental license
- Copy of the lease for review
- Signed Owner Handbook
3. Pass the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection
We recommend using the HQS inspection checklist to prepare for the inspection. This inspection list is not a comprehensive list of everything covered in an HQS inspection, but can be used as a guide for property owners.
Some commonly failed items for a HQS inspection include:
- Missing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors or missing batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
- Missing screens or broken/torn screens and missing/broken window locks
- Missing or broken outlet covers
- Missing light bulbs/light fixture covers
- Exposed electrical wires
- Oven/stove burners that don’t work
- Paint damage
- Closet doors off-track or broken
4. Sign the subsidy and lease agreements
The start date of the rental assistance will be determined by LSS. The lease is signed by the property owner and the tenant. The rental subsidy agreement must be signed by an LSS Housing Specialist, the owner and the tenant.
Twin Cities: 612.879.5358
Brainerd and St. Cloud Areas: 1.866.560.7464