FAQ’s – Landlords

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funds to Portland Housing Authority so we can provide rent subsidies to eligible, low-income individuals and families under the HCV program.

Housing Authorities throughout the United States operate this same program in their areas. If a landlord participates in the HCV program the administering housing authority sends a payment for a portion of the rent around the first of the month.

Check out HUD’s video on how Housing Choice Vouchers work for Landlords. 

The unit must meet the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection. This inspection will be conducted by a HQS Inspector who works for the Caribou Housing Authority.

The rent the landlord is asking for must be a reasonable and affordable. This will be determined by the Housing Officer assigned to the voucher-holder (the name of the Housing Officer is on the voucher). The family cannot pay more than 40% of their household income for housing costs, including any utilities that they are responsible for.

For more information on the Housing Quality Standards, please visit the HUD website.

A landlord can go to www.mainehousingsearch.org to post their unit. Voucher holders are all given this resource to locate affordable housing units. Landlords are also welcome to call (207) 493-4234 and housing authority staff will inform current voucher holders of the availability. 

Landlords are entitled to collect a security deposit from Housing Choice Voucher participants. The security deposit cannot exceed amounts collected from unassisted tenants and must in be in compliance with Maine state landlord and tenant laws.

CHA completes a limited tenant screening to determine program eligibility. Landlords may and are encouraged to complete their own screening to determine tenant suitability.

Landlords are responsible for enforcing their lease and have the same rights under the voucher program as they do for non-voucher tenants. Lease violations – including lease termination and eviction – should be handled in accordance with the terms of the landlord/tenant lease directly with the tenant.

No. The RFTA form is simply your intention to rent to the tenant and sets the terms for the tenancy. Either party may withdraw from the process before a lease or contract is executes. Your lease is the binding agreement with your tenant.