Fillable Printable Housing Assistance Payments Contract
Fillable Printable Housing Assistance Payments Contract
Housing Assistance Payments Contract
Previous editions are obsolete
Page 1 of 12
form
HUD-52641
(04/2015)
ref Handbook 7420.8
Housing Assistance Payments Contract U.S. Department of Housing
(HAP Contract) and Urban Development
Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance Office of Public and Indian Housing
Housing Choice Voucher Program
OMB Approval 2577-0169 (Exp. 04/30/2018)
Privacy Act Statement.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is authorized to collect the information required on this form by
Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f). Collection of family members’ names and unit address, and owner’s name and payment
address is mandatory. The information is used to provide Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program in the form
of housing assistance payments. The information also specifies what utilities and appliances are to be supplied by the owner, and what utilities and
appliances are to be supplied by the tenant. HUD may disclose this information to Federal, State and local agencies when relevant to civil, criminal, or
regulatory investigations and prosecutions. It will not be otherwise disclosed or released outside of HUD, except as permitted or required by law.
Failure to provide any of the information may result in delay or rejection of family or owner participation in the program.
Instructions for use of HAP Contract
This form of Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP contract)
is used to provide Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the
housing choice voucher program (voucher program) of the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The main
regulation for this program is 24 Code of Federal Regulations Part
982.
The local voucher program is administered by a public housing
agency (PHA) . The HAP contract is an agreement between the PHA
and the owner of a unit occupied by an assisted family. The HAP
contract has three parts:
PartAContractinformation(fill-ins).See
section by section instructions. Part B
Body of contract
Part C Tenancy addendum
Use of this form
Use of this HAP contract is required by HUD. Modification of the
HAP contract is not permitted. The HAP contract must be word-for-
word in the form prescribed by HUD.
However, the PHA may choose to add the following:
Language that prohibits the owner from collecting a security
deposit in excess of private market practice, or in excess of
amounts charged by the owner to unassisted tenants. Such a
prohibition must be added to Part A of the HAP contract.
Language that defines when the housing assistance payment by
the PHA is deemed received by the owner (e.g., upon mailing
by the PHA or actual receipt by the owner). Such language
must be added to Part A of the HAP contract.
To prepare the HAP contract, fill in all contract information in Part
A of the contract. Part A must then be executed by the owner and the
PHA.
Use for special housing types
In addition to use for the basic Section 8 voucher program, this form
must also be used for the following “special housing types” which are
voucher program variants for special needs (see 24 CFR Part 982,
Subpart M): (1) single room occupancy (SRO) housing; (2)
congregate housing; (3) group home; (4) shared housing; and (5)
manufactured home rental by a family that leases the manufactured
home and space. When this form is used for a special housing type,
the special housing type shall be specified in Part A of the HAP
contract, as follows: “This HAP contract is used for the following
special housing type under HUD regulations for the Section 8
voucher program: (Insert Name of Special Housing type).”
However, this form may not be used for the following special
housing types: (1) manufactured home space rental by a family that
owns the manufactured home and leases only the space; (2)
cooperative housing; and (3) the homeownership option under
Section 8(y) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(y)).
How to fill in Part A
Section by Section Instructions
Section 2: Tenant
Enter full name of tenant.
Section 3. Contract Unit
Enter address of unit, including apartment number, if any.
Section 4. Household Members
Enter full names of all PHA-approved household members. Specify if
any such person is a live-in aide, which is a person approved by the
PHA to reside in the unit to provide supportive services for a family
member who is a person with disabilities.
Section 5. Initial Lease Term
Enter first date and last date of initial lease term.
The initial lease term must be for at least one year. However, the
PHA may approve a shorter initial lease term if the PHA
determines that:
Suchshortertermwouldimprovehousing
opportunities for the tenant, and
Suchshortertermistheprevailinglocalmarket
practice.
Section 6. Initial Rent to Owner
Enter the amount of the monthly rent to owner during the
initial lease term. The PHA must determine that the rent to owner is
reasonable in comparison to rent for other comparable unassisted units.
During the initial lease term, the owner may not raise the rent to
owner.
Section 7. Housing Assistance Payment
Enterthe initialamountofthemonthlyhousingassistance
payment.
Section 8. Utilities and Appliances.
TheleaseandtheHAPcontractmustspecifywhatutilitiesand
appliancesare to be supplied by the owner, andwhat
utilities andappliancesareto be supplied by the tenant. Fill in
section 8 to show who is responsible to provide or pay for utilities
andappliances.
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Housing Assistance Payments Contract
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
(HAP Contract)
Office of Public andIndian Housing
Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Part A of the HAP Contract: Contract Information
(To prepare the contract, fill out all contract information in Part A.)
1. Contents of Contract
This
HAP contract has three parts:
Part A: Contract Information
Part B: Body of Contract Part
C: Tenancy Addendum
2. Tenant
3. Contract Unit
4. Household
The following persons may reside in the unit. Other persons may not be added to the household without prior written approval of
the owner and the PHA.
5. Initial Lease Term
The initial lease term begins on (mm/dd/yyyy): __________________
The initial lease term ends on (mm/dd/yyyy):____________________
6. Initial Rent to Owner
The initial rent to owner is: $ ________________________
During the initial lease term, the owner may not raise the rent to owner.
7. Initial Housing Assistance Payment
The HAP contract term commences on the first day of the initial lease term. At the beginning of the HAP contract term, the amount
of the housing assistance payment by the PHA to the owner is $__________________ per month.
The amount of the monthly housing assistance payment by the PHA to the owner is subject to change during the HAP contract term
in accordance with HUD requirements
.
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8. Utilities and Appliances
The owner shall provide or pay for the utilities and appliances indicated below by an “
O
”. The tenant shall provide or pay for the utilities and appliances indicated
below by a “
T
”. Unless otherwise specified below, the owner shall pay for all utilities and appliances provided by the owner.
Item Specify fuel type Provided by Paid by
Heating Natural gas Bottle gas Oil or Electric Coal or Other
Cooking Natural gas Bottle gas Oil or Electric Coal or Other
Water Heating Natural gas Bottle gas Oil or Electric Coal or Other
Other Electric
Water
Sewer
Trash Collection
Air Conditioning
Refrigerator
Range/Microwave
Other (specify)
Signatures:
Public Housing Agency Owner
Printor Type Name ofPHA Print or Type Name of Owner
Signature Signature
Print or Type Name and Title of Signatory Print or Type Name and Title of Signatory
Date(mm/dd/yyyy) Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
Mail Payments to
:
Name
Address (street, city, State, Zip)
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Housing Assistance Payments Contract
(HAP Contract)
Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance
Housing Choice Voucher Program
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
Office of Public and Indian Housing
Part B of HAP Contract: Body of Contract
1.
Purpose
a. This is a HAP contract between the PHA and the
owner. The HAP contract is entered to provide
assistance for the family under the Section 8 voucher
program (see HUD program regulations at
24 Code of Federal Regulations Part 982).
b. The HAP contract only applies to the household and
contract unit specified in Part A of the HAP
contract.
c. During the HAP contract term, the PHA will pay
housing assistance payments to the owner in
accordance with the HAP contract.
d. The family will reside in the contract unit with
assistance under the Section 8 voucher program. The
housing assistance payments by the PHA assist the
tenant to lease the contract unit from the owner for
occupancy by the family.
2.
Lease of Contract Unit
a. The owner has leased the contract unit to the tenant
for occupancy by the family with assistance under
the Section 8 voucher program.
b. The PHA has approved leasing of the unit in
accordance with requirements of the Section 8
voucher program.
c. The lease for the contract unit must include word-
for-word all provisions of the tenancy addendum
required by HUD (Part C of the HAP contract).
d. The owner certifies that:
(1) The owner and the tenant have entered into a
lease of the contract unit that includes all
provisions of the tenancy addendum.
(2) The lease is in a standard form that is used in
the locality by the owner and that is generally
used for other unassisted tenants in the
premises.
(3) The lease is consistent with State and local
law.
e. The owner is responsible for screening the family’s
behavior or suitability for tenancy. The PHA is not
responsible for such screening. The PHA has no
liability or responsibility to the owner or other
persons for the family’s behavior or the family’s
conduct in tenancy.
3.
Maintenance, Utilities, and Other Services
a. The owner must maintain the contract unit and
premises in accordance with the housing quality
standards (HQS).
b. The owner must provide all utilities needed to
comply with the HQS.
c. If the owner does not maintain the contract unit in
accordance with the HQS, or fails to provide all
utilities needed to comply with the HQS, the PHA
may exercise any available remedies. PHA remedies
for such breach include recovery of overpayments,
suspension of housing assistance payments,
abatement or other reduction of housing assistance
payments, termination of housing assistance
payments, and termination of the HAP contract. The
PHA may not exercise such remedies against the
owner because of an HQS breach for which the
family is responsible, and that is not caused by the
owner.
d. The PHA shall not make any housing assistance
payments if the contract unit does not meet the HQS,
unless the owner corrects the defect within the
period specified by the PHA and the PHA verifies
the correction. If a defect is life threatening, the
owner must correct the defect within no more than
24 hours. For other defects, the owner must correct
the defect within the period specified by the PHA.
e. The PHA may inspect the contract unit and premises
at such times as the PHA determines necessary, to
ensure that the unit is in accordance with the HQS.
f. ThePHAmustnotifytheownerofanyHQSdefects
shown by the inspection.
g. The owner must provide all housing services as
agreed to in the lease.
4.
Term of HAP Contract
a. Relation to lease term. The term of the HAP
contract begins on the first day of the initial term of
the lease, and terminates on the last day of the term
of the lease (including the initial lease term and any
extensions).
b. When HAP contract terminates.
(1) The HAP contract terminates automatically if
the lease is terminated by the owner or the
tenant.
(2) The PHA may terminate program assistance
for the family for any grounds authorized in
accordance with HUD requirements. If the
PHA terminates program assistance for the
family, the HAP contract terminates
automatically.
(3) If the family moves from the contract unit, the
HAP contract terminates automatically.
(4) The HAP contract terminates automatically 180
calendar days after the last housing assistance
payment to the owner.
(5) The PHA may terminate the HAP contract if
the PHA determines, in accordance with HUD
requirements, that available program funding is
not sufficient to support continued assistance
for families in the program.
(6) The HAP contract terminates automatically upon the
death of a single member household, including single
member households with a live-in aide.
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(7) The PHA may terminate the HAP contract if the
PHA determines that the contract unit does not
provide adequate space in accordance with the
HQS because of an increase in family size or a
change in family composition.
(8) If the family breaks up, the PHA may terminate
the HAP contract, or may continue housing
assistance payments on behalf of family members
who remain in the contract unit.
(9) The PHA may terminate the HAP contract if the
PHA determines that the unit does not meet all
requirements of the HQS, or determines that the
owner has otherwise breached the HAP contract.
5.
Provision and Payment for Utilities and Appliances
a. The lease must specify what utilities are to be provided
or paid by the owner or the tenant.
b. The lease must specify what appliances are to be pro-
vided or paid by the owner or the tenant.
c. Part A of the HAP contract specifies what utilities and
appliances are to be provided or paid by the owner or
the tenant. The lease shall be consistent with the HAP
contract.
6.
Rent to Owner: Reasonable Rent
a. During the HAP contract term, the rent to owner may at
no time exceed the reasonable rent for the contract
unit as most recently determined or redetermined by
the PHA in accordance with HUD requirements.
b. The PHA must determine whether the rent to owner is
reasonable in comparison to rent for other comparable
unassisted units. To make this determination, the PHA
must consider:
(1) The location, quality, size, unit type, and age of
the contract unit; and
(2) Any amenities, housing services, maintenance
and utilities provided and paid by the owner.
c. The PHA must redetermine the reasonable rent when
required in accordance with HUD requirements. The
PHA may redetermine the reasonable rent at any time.
d. During the HAP contract term, the rent to owner may
not exceed rent charged by the owner for comparable
unassisted units in the premises. The owner must give
the PHA any information requested by the PHA on
rents charged by the owner for other units in the
premises or elsewhere.
7.
PHA Payment to Owner
a. When paid
(1) D
uring the term of the HAP contract, the PHA
must make monthly housing assistance payments
to the owner on behalf of the
family at the
beginning of each month.
(2) The PHAmustpay housingassistancepayments
promptly when due to the owner.
(3) If housing assistance payments are not paid
promptly when due after the first two calendar
months of the HAP contract term, the PHA shall
pay the owner penalties if all of the following
circumstances apply: (i) Such penalties are in
accordance with generally accepted practices and
law, as applicable in the local housing market,
governing penalties for late payment of rent by a
tenant; (ii) It is the owner’s practice to charge
such penalties for assisted and unassisted tenants;
and (iii) The owner also charges such penalties
against the tenant for late payment of family rent
to owner. However, the PHA shall not be
obligated to pay any late payment penalty if HUD
determines that late payment by the PHA is due
to factors beyond the PHA’s control. Moreover,
the PHA shall not be obligated to pay any late
payment penalty if housing assistance payments
by the PHA are delayed or denied as a remedy for
owner breach of the HAP contract (including any
of the following PHA remedies: recovery of
overpayments, suspension of housing assistance
payments, abatement or reduction of housing
assistance payments, termination of housing
assistance payments and termination of the
contract).
(4) Housing assistance payments shall only be paid
to the owner while the family is residing in the
contract unit during the term of the HAP contract.
The PHA shall not pay a housing assistance
payment to the owner for any month after the
month when the family moves out.
b. Owner compliance with HAP contract. Unless the
owner has complied with all provisions of the HAP
contract, the owner does not have a right to receive
housing assistance payments under the HAP contract.
c. Amount of PHA payment to owner
(1) The amount of the monthly PHA housing
assistance payment to the owner shall be
determined by the PHA in accordance with HUD
requirements for a tenancy under the voucher
program.
(2) The amount of the PHA housing assistance
payment is subject to change during the HAP
contract term in accordance with HUD
requirements. The PHA must notify the family
and the owner of any changes in the amount of
the housing assistance payment.
(3) The housing assistance payment for the first
month of the HAP contract term shall be pro-
rated for a partial month.
d. Application of payment. The monthly housing
assistance payment shall be credited against the
monthly rent to owner for the contract unit.
e. Limit of PHA responsibility.
(1) The PHA is only responsible for making housing
assistance payments to the owner in accordance
with the HAP contract and HUD requirements for
a tenancy under the voucher program.
(2) The PHA shall not pay any portion of the rent to
owner in excess of the housing assistance
payment. The PHA shall not pay any other claim
by the owner against the family.
f. Overpayment to owner. If the PHA determines that
the owner is not entitled to the housing assistance
payment or any part of it, the PHA, in addition to other
remedies, may deduct the amount of the overpayment
from any amounts due the owner (including amounts
due under any other Section 8 assistance contract).
8.
Owner Certification
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During the term of this contract, the owner certifies that:
a. Theownerismaintainingthecontractunitandpremisesin
accordance with the HQS.
b. The contract unit is leased to the tenant. The lease includes
the tenancy addendum (Part C of the HAP contract),
and is in accordance with the HAP contract and
program requirements. The owner has provided the
lease to the PHA, including any revisions of the lease.
c. The rent to owner does not exceed rents charged by the
owner for rental of comparable unassisted units in the
premises.
d. Except for the rent to owner, the owner has not
received and will not receive any payments or other
consideration (from the family, the PHA, HUD, or any
other public or private source) for rental of the contract
unit during the HAP contract term.
e. The family does not own or have any interest in the
contract unit.
f. To the best of the owner’s knowledge, the members of
the family reside in the contract unit, and the unit is the
family’s only residence.
g. The owner (including a principal or other interested
party) is not the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild,
sister, or brother of any member of the family, unless
the PHA has determined (and has notified the owner
and the family of such determination) that approving
rental of the unit, notwithstanding such relationship,
would provide reasonable accommodation for a family
member who is a person with disabilities.
9.
Prohibition of Discrimination
. In accordance with
applicable equal opportunity statutes, Executive Orders,
and regulations:
a. The owner must not discriminate against any person
because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, familial status, or disability in connection with the
HAP contract.
b. The owner must cooperate with the PHA and HUD in
conducting equal opportunity compliance reviews and
complaint investigations in connection with the HAP
contract.
10.
Owner’s Breach of HAP Contract
a. Any of the following actions by the owner (including a
principal or other interested party) is a breach of the
HAP contract by the owner:
(1) If the owner has violated any obligation under the
HAP contract, including the owner’s obligation
to maintain the unit in accordance with the HQS.
(2) If the owner has violated any obligation under
any other housing assistance payments contract
under Section 8.
(3) If the owner has committed fraud, bribery or any
other corrupt or criminal act in connection with
any Federal housing assistance program.
(4) For projects with mortgages insured by HUD or
loans made by HUD, if the owner has failed to
comply with the regulations for the applicable
mortgage insurance or loan program, with the
mortgage or mortgage note, or with the
regulatory agreement; or if the owner has
committed fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or
criminal act in connection with the mortgage or
loan.
(5) If the owner has engaged in any drug-related
criminal activity or any violent criminal activity.
b. If the PHA determines that a breach has occurred, the
PHA may exercise any of its rights and remedies under
the HAP contract, or any other available rights and
remedies for such breach. The PHA shall notify the
owner of such determination, including a brief
statement of the reasons for the determination. The
notice by the PHA to the owner may require the owner
to take corrective action, as verified or determined by
the PHA, by a deadline prescribed in the notice.
c. The PHA’s rights and remedies for owner breach of the
HAP contract include recovery of overpayments,
suspension of housing assistance payments, abatement
or other reduction of housing assistance payments,
termination of housing assistance payments, and
termination of the HAP contract.
d. The PHA may seek and obtain additional relief by
judicial order or action, including specific performance,
other injunctive relief or order for damages.
e. Even if the family continues to live in the contract unit,
the PHA may exercise any rights and remedies for
owner breach of the HAP contract.
f. The PHA’s exercise or non-exercise of any right or
remedy for owner breach of the HAP contract is not a
waiver of the right to exercise that or any other right or
remedy at any time.
11.
PHA and HUD Access to Premises and Owner’s Records
a. The owner must provide any information pertinent to
the HAP contract that the PHA or HUD may
reasonably require.
b. The PHA, HUD and the Comptroller General of the
United States shall have full and free access to the
contract unit and the premises, and to all accounts and
other records of the owner that are relevant to the HAP
contract, including the right to examine or audit the
records and to make copies.
c. The owner must grant such access to computerized or
other electronic records, and to any computers, equip-
ment or facilities containing such records, and must
provide any information or assistance needed to access
the records.
12.
Exclusion of Third Party Rights
a. The family is not a party to or third party beneficiary of
Part B of the HAP contract. The family may not
enforce any provision of Part B, and may not exercise
any right or remedy against the owner or PHA under
Part B.
b. The tenant or the PHA may enforce the tenancy
addendum (Part C of the HAP contract) against the
owner, and may exercise any right or remedy against
the owner under the tenancy addendum.
c. The PHA does not assume any responsibility for injury
to, or any liability to, any person injured as a result of
the owner’s action or failure to act in connection with
management of the contract unit or the premises or with
implementation of the HAP contract, or as a result of
any other action or failure to act by the owner.
d. The owner is not the agent of the PHA, and the HAP
contract does not create or affect any relationship
between the PHA and any lender to the owner or any
suppliers, employees, contractors or subcontractors
used by the owner in connection with management of
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thecontract unit or the premises orwith
implementation of the HAP contract.
13.
Conflict of Interest
a. “Covered individual” means a person or entity who is a
member of any of the following classes:
(1) Any present or former member or officer of the
PHA (except a PHA commissioner who is a
participant in the program);
(2) Any employee of the PHA, or any contractor,
sub-contractor or agent of the PHA, who
formulates policy or who influences decisions
with respect to the program;
(3) Any public official, member of a governing body,
or State or local legislator, who exercises
functions or responsibilities with respect to the
program; or
(4) Any member of the Congress of the United
States.
b. A covered individual may not have any direct or
indirect interest in the HAP contract or in any benefits
or payments under the contract (including the interest
of an immediate family member of such covered
individual) while such person is a covered individual or
during one year thereafter.
c. “Immediate family member” means the spouse, parent
(including a stepparent), child (including a stepchild),
grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother (including a
stepsister or stepbrother) of any covered individual.
d. The owner certifies and is responsible for assuring that
no person or entity has or will have a prohibited
interest, at execution of the HAP contract, or at any
time during the HAP contract term.
e. If a prohibited interest occurs, the owner shall promptly
and fully disclose such interest to the PHA and HUD.
f. The conflict of interest prohibition under this section
may be waived by the HUD field office for good cause.
g. No member of or delegate to the Congress of the
United States or resident commissioner shall be
admitted to any share or part of the HAP contract or to
any benefits which may arise from it.
14.
Assignment of the HAP Contract
a. The owner may not assign the HAP contract to a new
owner without the prior written consent of the PHA.
b. If the owner requests PHA consent to assign the HAP
contract to a new owner, the owner shall supply any
information as required by the PHA pertinent to the
proposed assignment.
c. The HAP contract may not be assigned to a new owner
that is debarred, suspended or subject to a limited
denial of participation under HUD regulations (see 24
Code of Federal Regulations Part 24).
d. The HAP contract may not be assigned to a new owner
if HUD has prohibited such assignment because:
(1) The Federal government has instituted an
administrative or judicial action against the
owner or proposed new owner for violation of the
Fair Housing Act or other Federal equal
opportunity requirements, and such action is
pending; or
(2) A court or administrative agency has determined
that the owner or proposed new owner violated
the FairHousingActorotherFederal equal
opportunity requirements.
e. The HAP contract may not be assigned to a new owner
if the new owner (including a principal or other
interested party) is the parent, child, grandparent,
grandchild, sister or brother of any member of the
family, unless the PHA has determined (and has
notified the family of such determination) that
approving the assignment, notwithstanding such
relationship, would provide reasonable accommodation
for a family member who is a person with disabilities.
f. The PHA may deny approval to assign the HAP
contract if the owner or proposed new owner (including
a principal or other interested party):
(1) Has violatedobligations under a housing assistance
payments contract under Section 8;
(2) Has committed fraud, bribery or any other corrupt
or criminal act in connection with any Federal
housing program;
(3) Has engaged in any drug-related criminal activity
or any violent criminal activity;
(4) Has a history or practice of non-compliance with
the HQS for units leased under the Section 8
tenant-based programs, or non-compliance with
applicable housing standards for units leased with
project-based Section 8 assistance or for units
leased under any other Federal housing program;
(5) Has a history or practice of failing to terminate
tenancy of tenants assisted under any Federally
assisted housing program for activity engaged in
by the tenant, any member of the household, a
guest or another person under the control of any
member of the household that:
(a) Threatens the right to peaceful enjoyment
of the premises by other residents;
(b) Threatens the health or safety of other
residents, of employees of the PHA, or of
owner employees or other persons engaged in
management of the housing;
(c) Threatens the health or safety of, or the
right to peaceful enjoyment of their residents
by, persons residing in the immediate vicinity of
the premises; or
(d) Is drug-related criminal activity or
violent criminal activity;
(6) Has a history or practice of renting units that fail to
meet State or local housing codes; or
(7) Has not paid State or local real estate taxes, fines or
assessments.
g. The new owner must agree to be bound by and comply
with the HAP contract. The agreement must be in
writing, and in a form acceptable to the PHA. The new
owner must give the PHA a copy of the executed
agreement.
15.
Foreclosure
. In the case of any foreclosure, the immediate
successor in interest in the property pursuant to the foreclosure
shall assume such interest subject to the lease between the prior
owner and the tenant and to the HAP contract between the prior
owner and the PHA for the occupied unit. This provision does not
affect any State or local law that provides longer time periods or
other additional protections for tenants. This provision will sunset
on December 31, 2012 unless extended by law.
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16. Written Notices
. Any notice by the PHA or the owner
in connection with this contract must be in writing.
17. Entire Agreement: Interpretation
a. The HAP contract contains the entire agreement between
the owner and the PHA.
b The HAP contract shall be interpreted and implemented
in accordance with all statutory requirements, and with
all HUD requirements, including the HUD program
regulations at 24 Code of Federal Regulations Part 982.
Housing Assistance Payments Contract
U.S. Department of Housing
(HAP Contract)
and Urban Development
Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance
Office of Public and Indian Housing
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Part C of HAP Contract: Tenancy Addendum
1.
Section 8 Voucher Program
a. The owner is leasing the contract unit to the tenant
for occupancy by the tenant’s family with assistance
for a tenancy under the Section 8 housing choice
voucher program (voucher program) of the United
States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD).
b. The owner has entered into a Housing Assistance
Payments Contract (HAP contract) with the PHA
under the voucher program. Under the HAP
contract, the PHA will make housing assistance
payments to the owner to assist the tenant in leasing
the unit from the owner.
2.
Lease
a. The owner has given the PHA a copy of the lease,
including any revisions agreed by the owner and the
tenant. The owner certifies that the terms of the lease
are in accordance with all provisions of the HAP
contract and that the lease includes the tenancy
addendum.
b. The tenant shall have the right to enforce the
tenancy addendum against the owner. If there is any
conflict between the tenancy addendum and any
other provisions of the lease, the language of the
tenancy addendum shall control.
3.
Use of Contract Unit
a. During the lease term, the family will reside in the
contract unit with assistance under the voucher
program.
b. The composition of the household must be approved
by the PHA. The family must promptly inform the
PHA of the birth, adoption or court-awarded custody
of a child. Other persons may not be added to the
household without prior written approval of the
owner and the PHA.
c. The contract unit may only be used for residence by
the PHA-approved household members. The unit
must be the family’s only residence. Members of the
household may engage in legal profit making
activities incidental to primary use of the unit for
residence by members of the family.
d. The tenant may not sublease or let the unit.
e. The tenant may not assign the lease or transfer the
unit.
4.
Rent to Owner
a. The initial rent to owner may not exceed the amount
approved by the PHA in accordance with HUD
requirements.
b. Changes in the rent to owner shall be determined by
the provisions of the lease. However, the owner may
not raise the rent during the initial term of the lease.
c. During the term of the lease (including the initial
term of the lease and any extension term), the rent to
owner may at no time exceed:
(1) The reasonable rent for the unit as most
recently determined or redetermined by the
PHA in accordance with HUD requirements,
or
(2) Rent charged by the owner for comparable
unassisted units in the premises.
5.
Family Payment to Owner
a. The family is responsible for paying the owner any
portion of the rent to owner that is not covered by
the PHA housing assistance payment.
b. Each month, the PHA will make a housing
assistance payment to the owner on behalf of the
family in accordance with the HAP contract. The
amount of the monthly housing assistance payment
will be determined by the PHA in accordance with
HUD requirements for a tenancy under the Section 8
voucher program.
c. The monthly housing assistance payment shall be
credited against the monthly rent to owner for the
contract unit.
d. The tenant is not responsible for paying the portion
of rent to owner covered by the PHA housing
assistance payment under the HAP contract between
the owner and the PHA. A PHA failure to pay the
housing assistance payment to the owner is not a
violation of the lease. The owner may not terminate
the tenancy for nonpayment of the PHA housing
assistance payment.
e. The owner may not charge or accept, from the
family or from any other source, any payment for
rent of the unit in addition to the rent to owner. Rent
to owner includes all housing services, maintenance,
utilities and appliances to be provided and paid by
the owner in accordance with the lease.
f. The owner must immediately return anyexcess rent
payment to the tenant.
6.
Other Fees and Charges
a. Rent to owner does not include cost of any meals or
supportive services or furniture which may be
provided by the owner.
b. The owner may not require the tenant or family
members to pay charges for any meals or supportive
services or furniture which may be provided by the
owner. Nonpayment of any such charges is not
grounds for termination of tenancy.
c. The owner may not charge the tenant extra amounts
for items customarily included in rent to owner in
the locality, or provided at no additional cost to
unsubsidized tenants in the premises.
7.
Maintenance, Utilities, and Other Services
a.
Maintenance
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(2) The owner may terminate the tenancy during
the term of the lease if any member of the
household is:
(a) Fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody
or confinement after conviction, for a
crime, or attempt to commit a crime, that
is a felony under the laws of the place
from which the individual flees, or that,
in the case of the State of New Jersey, is
a high misdemeanor; or
(b) Violating a condition of probation or
parole under Federal or State law.
(3) The owner may terminate the tenancy for
criminal activity by a household member in
accordance with this section if the owner
determines that the household member has
committed the criminal activity, regardless of
whether the household member has been
arrested or convicted for such activity.
(4) The owner may terminate the tenancy during
the term of the lease if any member of the
household has engaged in abuse of alcohol
that threatens the health, safety or right to
peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other
residents.
d. Other good cause for termination of tenancy
(1) During the initial lease term, other good cause
for termination of tenancy must be something
the family did or failed to do.
(2) During the initial lease term or during any
extension term, other good cause may include:
(a) Disturbance of neighbors,
(b) Destruction of property, or
(c) Living or housekeeping habits thatcause
damage to the unit or premises.
(3) After the initial lease term, such good cause
may include:
(a) The tenant’s failureto accept theowner’s
offer of a new lease or revision;
(b) The owner’s desire to use the unit for
personal or family use or for a purpose
other than use as a residential rental unit;
or
(c) A business or economic reason for
termination of the tenancy (such as sale of
the property, renovation of the unit, the
owner’s desire to rent the unit for a higher
rent).
(5) The examples of other good cause in this
paragraphdo not preempt any State or local
laws to the contrary.
(6) In the case of an owner who is an immediate
successor in interest pursuant to foreclosure
during the term of the lease, requiring the
tenant to vacate the property prior to sale shall
not constitute other good cause, except that the
owner may terminate the tenancy effective on
the date of transfer of the unit to the owner if
the owner: (a) will occupy the unit as a
primary residence; and (b) has provided the
tenant a notice to vacate at least 90 days before
the effective date of such notice. This
(1) The owner must maintain the unit and premises
in accordance with the HQS.
(2) Maintenance and replacement (including
redecoration) must be in accordance with the
standard practice for the building concerned as
established by the owner.
b.
Utilities and appliances
(1) Theownermustprovideallutilitiesneededto
comply with the HQS.
(2) The owner is not responsible for a breach of
the HQS caused by the tenant’s failure to:
(a) Payfor any utilities that are to be paid by
the tenant.
(b) Provide and maintain any appliances
that are to be provided by the tenant.
c. Family damage. The owner is not responsible for a
breach of the HQS because of damages beyond
normal wear and tear caused by any member of the
household or by a guest.
d. Housing services. The owner must provide all
housing services as agreed to in the lease.
8.
Termination of Tenancy by Owner
a.
Requ
irements. The owner may only terminate the
tenancy in accordance with the lease and HUD
requirements.
b. Grounds. During the term of the lease (the initial
term of the lease or any extension term), the owner
may only terminate the tenancy becaus
e of:
(1) Serious or repeated violation of the lease;
(2) Violation of Federal, State, or local law that
imposes obligations on the tenant in
connection with the occupancy or use of the
unit and the premises;
(3) Criminal activity or alcohol abuse (as
provided in paragraph c); or
(4) Other good cause (as provided in paragraph
d).
c. Criminal activity or alcohol abuse.
(1) The owner may terminate the tenancy during
the term of the lease if any member of the
household, a guest or another person under a
resident’s control commits any of the
following types of criminal activity:
(a) Anycriminalactivitythatthreatensthe
health or safety of, or the right to
peacefulenjoymentofthepremisesby,
other residents (including property
management staff residing on the
premises);
(b) Anycriminalactivitythatthreatensthe
health or safety of, or the right to
peaceful enjoyment of their residences
by, persons residing in the immediate
vicinity of the premises;
(c) Any violent criminal activity on or near
the premises; or
(d) Anydrug-relatedcriminalactivity on or
near the premises.
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provision shall not affect any State or local law
that provides for longer time periods or
addition protections for tenants.
This
provision will sunset on December 31, 2012
unless extended by law.
e. Protections for Victims of Abuse.
(1) An incident or incidents of actual or threatened
domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking will
not be construed as serious or repeated violations of
the lease or other “good cause” for termination of
the assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights of
such a victim.
(2) Criminal activity directly relating to abuse,
engaged in by a member of a tenant’s household or
any guest or other person under the tenant’s
control, shall not be cause for termination of
assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights if the
tenant or an immediate member of the tenant’s
family is the victim or threatened victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
(3) Notwithstanding any restrictions on admission,
occupancy, or terminations of occupancy or
assistance, or any Federal, State or local law to the
contrary, a PHA, owner or manager may
“bifurcate” a lease, or otherwise remove a
household member from a lease, without regard to
whether a household member is a signatory to the
lease, in order to evict, remove, terminate
occupancy rights, or terminate assistance to any
individual who is a tenant or lawful occupant and
who engages in criminal acts of physical violence
against family members or others. This action may
be taken without evicting, removing, terminating
assistance to, or otherwise penalizing the victim of
the violence who is also a tenant or lawful
occupant. Such eviction, removal, termination of
occupancy rights, or termination of assistance shall
be effected in accordance with the procedures
prescribed by Federal, State, and local law for the
termination of leases or assistance under the
housing choice voucher program.
(4) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit
the authority of a public housing agency, owner, or
manager, when notified, to honor court orders
addressing rights of access or control of the
property, including civil protection orders issued to
protect the victim and issued to address the
distribution or possession of property among the
household members in cases where a family breaks
up.
(5) Nothing in this section limits any otherwise
available authority of an owner or manager to evict
or the public housing agency to terminate
assistance to a tenant for any violation of a lease
not premised on the act or acts of violence in
question against the tenant or a member of the
tenant’s household, provided that the owner,
manager, or public housing agency does not subject
an individual who is or has been a victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking to a
moredemandingstandardthanothertenantsin
determining whether to evict or terminate.
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit
the authority of an owner or manager to evict, or
the public housing agency to terminate assistance,
to any tenant if the owner, manager, or public
housing agency can demonstrate an actual and
imminent threat to other tenants or those employed
at or providing service to the property if the tenant
is not evicted or terminated from assistance.
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or
local law that provides greater protection than this
section for victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, or stalking.
f. Eviction by court action
. The owner may only evict the
tenant by a court action.
g. Owner notice of grounds
(1) At or before the beginning of a court action to
evict the tenant, the owner must give the
tenant a notice that specifies the grounds for
termination of tenancy. The notice may be
included in or combined with any owner
eviction notice.
(2) The owner must give the PHA a copy of any
owner eviction notice at the same time the
owner notifies the tenant.
(3) Eviction notice means a notice to vacate, or a
complaint or other initial pleading used to
begin an eviction action under State or local
law.
9. Lease: Relation to HAP Contract
IftheHAPcontractterminatesforanyreason, the leaseterminates
automatically.
10. PHA Termination of Assistance
The PHA may terminate program assistance for the family for any
grounds authorized in accordance with HUD requirements. If the PHA
terminates program assistance for the family, the lease terminates
automatically.
11. Family Move Out
The tenant must notifythe PHA and the owner before the family moves
out of the unit.
12. Security Deposit
a. The owner may collect a security deposit from the
tenant. (However, the PHA may prohibit the owner
from collecting a security deposit in excess of
private market practice, or in excess of amounts
charged by the owner to unassisted tenants. Any
such PHA-required restriction must be specified in
the HAP contract.)
b. When the family moves out of the contract unit, the
owner, subject to State and local law, may use the
security deposit, including any interest on the
deposit, as reimbursement for any unpaid rent
payable by the tenant, any damages to the unit or
any other amounts that the tenant owes under the
lease.
