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As you are probably aware, California has a law called the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which means that (among other things) landlords must accept Section 8 vouchers and other forms of housing assistance.
In many cases, landlords first experience the process of accepting Section 8 vouchers when someone brings it to their attention during the screening process. What can be challenging is that, when you’re in the middle of marketing your rental unit and accepting applications from multiple parties, learning the process can take time away from filling your vacancy as soon as possible.
It is for this reason that it is a good idea to be one step ahead and consider listing your vacancy with the local housing authority before leasing begins. These listings will be accessed by voucher holders online, essentially meaning that the government will advertise your vacant units for you for free. Next, we’ll explain how to do it.
Get approved by your local housing ahuthority. (PHA)
First, you need to get your rental unit approved for Section 8 with your local public housing authority (PHA). You can usually find this by typing in the name of your city, followed by “public housing authority.” For instance, the City of Los Angeles has its own housing authority (known as HACLA), as does the city we are in (Torrance), even though it is part of Los Angeles County.
Look for the "Landlords" Section
There will be a section for landlords on the website that allows you to create an account and start the process of getting your units approved. The site will ask you questions about your building such as whether the landlord or the tenant is responsible for each utility, whether pets are allowed, and what amenities (if any) are offered at the property.
Time for Inspections
Once the initial application goes through, the housing authority will schedule an inspection of your property and the specific rental units you want to list. After that, you’ll meet with an inspector (virtual inspections with your smart phone may also be available in your area) so that the City can ensure that your unit meets habitable standards.
Get Listed
Once you’re approved, the housing authority will list your property in their database which is accessible to all voucher holders seeking housing through their website.
Where else can I list my Rental Unit
You can also register your rental unit online at www.affordablehousing.com (Formerly known as gosection8.com), which is one of the main databases for voucher holders to find affordable housing. It is also the site that the City of Los Angeles’ public housing authority will direct voucher holders to.
All you have to do to get started here is to go to the website and create an account (email address and password). From there, the site will ask you similar questions about your building (who pays for which utilities, your pet policy, amenities, etc.) but you will also add photos of your building and the unit you are trying to list.
Listing your property or rental unit with your local housing authority can be a great way to ensure that you have a steady supply of prospective tenants, as well as a guaranteed amount of rent (paid on time) from the Section 8 program. Some housing authorities even offer landlord incentives for signing up and offer free seminars to learn more.
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