FAQ's Landlord
What are Payment Standards and Utility Allowances?
Housing Authorities adopt payment standards for every area they administer vouchers based on HUD's published fair market rents. The Payment Standard is the maximum monthly subsidy we can pay based on household composition, unit size, and location. When tenants are responsible for paying things like heat, electricity, hot water, water, sewer, or trash removal Augusta Housing also determines a Utility Allowance for energy conscious households. The Utility Allowance will vary by location, size, and type of unit.
What is HAP?
Housing Assistance Payment. It is the portion of rent the Housing Authority pays each month.
What needs to be included in my lease?
How much rent may I charge?
Housing Authorities are not permitted to help you determine rent. We refer you back to what are you charging for other rental units of the same size, type, and location? What are other landlords in your area charging for similar units?
Why did this household get approved for more than this other household when my units are similar?
There are many factors in determining rent. Primarily the payment standards and utility structure. Additionally each household is comprised of different compositions, incomes, assets, and deductions. What may work for one family wont work for the next.
When will I receive my first payment?
We make payments on the second business day of the month provided the unit has passed inspection, and both you and the tenant have completed the HAP Contract and Lease Agreement. We will retro the payment back to the date the contract began.
When can I request a rent increase?
Any time after the first year has completed. Your written rent increase request must be submitted to Augusta Housing 60 days prior to the requested start date. We will run a rent comparison to ensure its reasonable and notify both you and the tenant of the completed change at least 30 days prior to the start date.
How do I prepare for an inspection?
Please see our Resources & Forms page to review our HQS Inspection Checklist.
How do I work with Augusta Housing?
All that is required to participate is for you to have an available affordable unit in our jurisdiction. Our jurisdiction currently consists of Augusta, Chelsea, Coopers Mills, Gardiner, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Pittston, Readfield, Vassalboro, Whitefield, China, Belgrade, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Randolph, South Gardiner, West Gardiner, Windsor, and Winthrop. We do not maintain a list of landlords or available units. We do direct tenants to view available units on MaineHousingSearch.org where you can list your units for free. Tenants may also locate you through alternative advertising methods.
I am selling my building, what do I need to do?
Notify Augusta Housing as soon as you put the property on the market, and again as soon as you know when the closing will be. We will supply you with the necessary forms to bring to the closing. Both you and the new owner need to complete these assignment transfer documents in order for the changes to be made.
Fraud Prevention, what can I do to help?
As an owner or property manager it is important that you report any suspected cases of fraud to Augusta Housing as soon as you become aware. It is not permitted for HCV recipients to move unauthorized people into their units without both Augusta Housing and Owner approval. A resident has to use the assisted unit as their only place of residence. HCV recipients cannot engage in drug related criminal activity, violent criminal activity, illegal use of controlled substances, or abuse of alcohol that threatens the health and safety of right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents. Report suspected fraud by calling 207-626-2357 ext. 3.
What are Payment Standards and Utility Allowances?
Housing Authorities adopt payment standards for every area they administer vouchers based on HUD's published fair market rents. The Payment Standard is the maximum monthly subsidy we can pay based on household composition, unit size, and location. When tenants are responsible for paying things like heat, electricity, hot water, water, sewer, or trash removal Augusta Housing also determines a Utility Allowance for energy conscious households. The Utility Allowance will vary by location, size, and type of unit.
What is HAP?
Housing Assistance Payment. It is the portion of rent the Housing Authority pays each month.
What needs to be included in my lease?
- Tenant Name
- Landlord Name
- Lease Effective Start Date (Must match HAP Contract)
- All leases must last for one full year.
- Unit Address
- Contract Rent Amount as agreed upon when you submitted the landlord packet
- A breakdown of utility structure showing which party is responsible for which utility.
- Tenant and Landlord Signatures
How much rent may I charge?
Housing Authorities are not permitted to help you determine rent. We refer you back to what are you charging for other rental units of the same size, type, and location? What are other landlords in your area charging for similar units?
Why did this household get approved for more than this other household when my units are similar?
There are many factors in determining rent. Primarily the payment standards and utility structure. Additionally each household is comprised of different compositions, incomes, assets, and deductions. What may work for one family wont work for the next.
When will I receive my first payment?
We make payments on the second business day of the month provided the unit has passed inspection, and both you and the tenant have completed the HAP Contract and Lease Agreement. We will retro the payment back to the date the contract began.
When can I request a rent increase?
Any time after the first year has completed. Your written rent increase request must be submitted to Augusta Housing 60 days prior to the requested start date. We will run a rent comparison to ensure its reasonable and notify both you and the tenant of the completed change at least 30 days prior to the start date.
How do I prepare for an inspection?
Please see our Resources & Forms page to review our HQS Inspection Checklist.
How do I work with Augusta Housing?
All that is required to participate is for you to have an available affordable unit in our jurisdiction. Our jurisdiction currently consists of Augusta, Chelsea, Coopers Mills, Gardiner, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Pittston, Readfield, Vassalboro, Whitefield, China, Belgrade, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Randolph, South Gardiner, West Gardiner, Windsor, and Winthrop. We do not maintain a list of landlords or available units. We do direct tenants to view available units on MaineHousingSearch.org where you can list your units for free. Tenants may also locate you through alternative advertising methods.
I am selling my building, what do I need to do?
Notify Augusta Housing as soon as you put the property on the market, and again as soon as you know when the closing will be. We will supply you with the necessary forms to bring to the closing. Both you and the new owner need to complete these assignment transfer documents in order for the changes to be made.
Fraud Prevention, what can I do to help?
As an owner or property manager it is important that you report any suspected cases of fraud to Augusta Housing as soon as you become aware. It is not permitted for HCV recipients to move unauthorized people into their units without both Augusta Housing and Owner approval. A resident has to use the assisted unit as their only place of residence. HCV recipients cannot engage in drug related criminal activity, violent criminal activity, illegal use of controlled substances, or abuse of alcohol that threatens the health and safety of right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents. Report suspected fraud by calling 207-626-2357 ext. 3.
What else do I need to know?
- It is the owners job to screen the family. The screening we complete is to determine if the household is eligible for our program. You must conduct your own screening to determine if the tenant is a right fit for your unit.
- You are responsible for maintaining the unit.
- You are responsible for enforcing your lease. If you start the eviction procedure or issue warnings Augusta Housing must also be notified as the household may be in violation of the program rules.
- You may not be related to anyone in the assisted household.
- Mobile Homes must be tied down to ground anchors.
- Basements and common areas are part of the inspection process.
- We cannot pay HAP on a vacant unit.
- Changes to your lease must be supplied to the Housing Authority 60 days prior to the change.
- If someone passes away please notify Augusta Housing immediately.
- Please contact us as your contact information has changed or you change property managers.
- Under Federal Law it is illegal to deny housing to anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. Maine law also provides protection from housing discriminations.
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