Case Details

Information for Landlords

The Housing Choice Voucher Program administered by the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) provides eligible families a rent subsidy so that they can afford decent, safe housing in Washington County, Maryland.

Getting Started

Landlords become involved by agreeing to rent to a tenant who qualifies for a housing choice voucher. Tenants may contact landlords directly.

Landlords with properties to rent should consider creating listings in the free state-wide Rental Housing Locator for Maryland sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Read More

CURRENT LANDLORDS

View your monthly payments here.

HCV LANDLORD RESOURCES

PREVENTING EVICTIONS


Property Standards

The required inspection standards cover general health and safety items specified by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), known as Housing Quality Standards, and portions of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) National Property Maintenance Code. Initial and annual inspections are made of all properties, which may be duplexes, apartments, single family dwellings, or mobile homes.

For any unit built before 1978, we ask the landlord to provide proof that it has been registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDOE) before we give it our approval. The property is then inspected for compliance with HUD standards. After the unit passes the inspection, a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract is executed between the landlord and HAWC to begin subsidy payments, and a lease is executed with the tenant. Landlords must provide a copy of the signed lease to HAWC.

Applicant Suitability

Landlords are encouraged to conduct landlord-reference checks and to visit the family’s current residence. Landlords may also wish to contact utility companies and other creditors. Landlords are encouraged to screen families with regard to: 

  1. Payment of rent and utility bills;
  2. Caring for a unit; 
  3. Respecting the rights of others to peaceful enjoyment of their housing.

Lease Terms

Landlords must sign a lease with the tenant for a minimum of one year. The lease should include the following information:

  • Names of the landlord and tenant;
  • Address of the rental unit;
  • Term of the lease (at least one year);
  • How it will be renewed (e.g., month-to-month or year-to-year);
  • Monthly rent amount;
  • Which utilities are paid by the tenant; and
  • Which appliances must be provided to the tenant.

HUD’s Tenancy Addendum will be appended to the lease. The assisted tenancy starts after the dwelling passes inspection, the Housing Assistance Payment Contract is signed, and the lease is executed. Families must be able to legally enter into a lease.


Ending a Lease

Conditions for termination are set forth in the Lease and in the Housing Assistance Payment Contract. Termination can occur by mutual agreement. The owner may terminate as outlined in the Tenancy Addendum. Landlords and families are required to provide HAWC with copies of any termination or eviction notices. HAWC may terminate assistance should there be need.

Ending a Lease

Family Responsibilities

Each renter signs a Statement of Family Obligations that says they will:

  1. Comply with the lease and the family obligations as specified by HUD regulations;
  2. Maintain housekeeping;
  3. Pay their rent portion and utilities when due;
  4. Report changes in income and family size within 10 days to HAWC;
  5. Not engage in drug or criminal activity;
  6. Not allow unauthorized persons to live in the unit unless written permission is obtained both from the landlord and HAWC, pending income and background checks.

HAWC's Role

HAWC’s staff will:

  1. Maintain the applications and waitlist for the HCV program;
  2. Determine tenant eligibility and who may live in the unit;
  3. Approve unit rent to owner and determine subsidy and tenant portions;
  4. Make subsidy payment to the landlord each month;
  5. Conduct required inspections and family certifications; and
  6. Determine whether to terminate assistance to a participant tenant for violation of obligations.

Landlord Responsibilities

Participating landlords are expected to:

  1. Select the tenant;
  2. Collect the security deposit and rent portion from the tenant;
  3. Maintain the unit and provide utilities, appliances, and services as specified in the lease
  4. Notify HAWC of any condition that would affect the amount of subsidy; and
  5. Provide HAWC with your completed W-9 form and direct deposit form.

Rents

The unit rent must be based on the local rental housing market. HAWC staff will compare rent costs to the HUD-established fair market rents (FMRs) for the community and to the payment standards that HAWC adopts (based on the FMR rents). If the rent + utilities for a unit is less than the payment standard, the tenant will pay 30% of their monthly income for rent and the program will pay the rest. If the rent + utilities is higher, the tenant must make up the difference. In the first lease term a tenant is not allowed to pay more than 40% of family income for rent.

Rents may be increased annually on the anniversary date of the contract. When the annual inspection is due, landlords will receive a copy of the inspection notice. The notice is a reminder that any request for a rent increase must be submitted in writing to HAWC, and we must receive it 60 days prior to the anniversary date. The increased rent amount must still be reasonable when compared to similar units in the community.

Getting Paid

Getting Paid

The Housing Choice Voucher Program will make rent payments on the first of every month. This will continue as long as the tenant remains eligible and the unit meets the inspection standards. Landlords are required to sign up for direct deposit.

DOWNLOAD DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM
Landlord Access

Landlord Online Access

Landlords can go online to view their history of past payments from HAWC.


LANDLORD PORTAL

Complaints

If you believe a Housing Choice Voucher Program tenant or landlord may be violating the letter or spirit of the rental assistance program, please contact our office and provide your phone number or e-mail address.

For further information, interested landlords may call or visit our Housing Choice Voucher Program staff.

© 2023 Housing Authority of Washington County
319 East Antietam Street, 2nd Floor, Hagerstown, MD 21740 | 301.791.3168 

Designed By: Designer JABS