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Landlord Handbook

If you rent to a Section 8 voucher holder or plan to, this section of the website is for you.

We want to make it simple and easy for landlords to participate in the Home Forward Section 8 program.

Home Forward is not able to directly refer voucher-holders to your vacancies, but you can list available units with us on our Free Vacancy Listings page.

If an applicant approaches you about accepting a Section 8 voucher, there are four steps to follow:

Rockwood Landing

About Your Lease Agreement

  • Landlords use their own lease agreement and the same screening criteria that apply to any other applicants and tenants.

 

  • The lease should not be signed and dated until after Home Forward approval.

 

  • If you have a 12 month lease, it may not total 365 days. Home Forward will determine the exact dates of the lease; all leases will end on the last day of the month prior to the start month (i.e. starts 11/03/14 – ends 10/31/15).

 

Home Forward has dedicated staff to provide assistance directly to landlords.  If you have any questions, just call our Landlord Services Team at (503) 802-8333, option 5.

New Source of Income Non-Discrimination Law

In June 2014, a new Oregon law went into effect that requires landlords to accept applications from prospective tenants who are receiving Section 8 and other forms of rent assistance.  We urge landlords who have questions about the requirement to contact a landlord association, such as Multifamily NW.  Home Forward is part of a coalition of landlord associations, tenant advocates, and attorneys who have developed a FAQ as part of a larger education effort on the new law.

Click here to read or download the FAQ (pdf).  You can also watch a short video on the new law. 

Questions?  We have a team dedicated to serving you:

landlordservices@homeforward.org

503.802.8333, option 5