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

Step 1:

Screen the applicant to ensure they meet your tenant criteria.

Step 2:

Applicants will have a form to fill out called Request for Tenancy Approval. You should complete the landlord section of the form, along with the Disclosure of Lead-based Paint form. When the tenant submits both completed, signed forms to our office, we will contact you to schedule an inspection. You may submit the forms on behalf of the tenant, if you wish.

Step 3:

We will inspect the unit to ensure that it meets HUD’s Housing Quality Standards. Home Forward requests that the landlord be present at the initial inspection. The utilities must be on and the unit must be ready for occupancy. The inspector will discuss with you whether any repairs are necessary with you.

Step 4:

After your unit passes inspection, and the monthly has been approved, you and the applicant, now a tenant, enter into an initial lease. When we’ve received all of the final, signed documents, we send your payment within two weeks. From then on, payments will be sent on the first business day of each month. Home Forward considers payment to be received on the next business day after posting/mailing.

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