FACTSHEETS
- Damages and Repairs to Section 8 Rental Units
If the Tenant is Responsible…
Who is responsible for correcting damages caused
by me, my family members or guests?
At the time of an annual
or complaint inspection, the Housing Inspector
determines who has responsibility
for correcting each deficiency cited. You are
notified in writing of the deficiencies you
are responsible
for correcting, when you must correct them,
and that your program participation may be
terminated
if you
fail to correct the deficiencies by the reinspection
date.
What happens if I don't correct the deficiencies
by the reinspection date?
If you fail to correct the deficiencies by the reinspection
date, your Section 8 participation will be terminated.
What if the inspector says I'm responsible, but
I'm really not?
Contact your Section 8 Advisor and explain why you
disagree with the inspector. If the Housing Authority
upholds the Inspector's determination, you must make
the repairs. If you do not make the repairs and the
Authority decides to terminate your assistance, you
will be allowed to present your case at an informal
hearing.
What rights do I have before my Section 8 is terminated?
You are entitled to a hearing. You must request a
hearing within 30 days of the date on the Notice
of Intent to Terminate.
Am I responsible for repairing the stove and refrigerator
and maintaining utility service?
You are responsible for repairing the stove and refrigerator
if they belong to you. You are also responsible for
maintaining utility service if payment of the utility
has been designated as your responsibility on the
Addendum to the Lease or the Rental Lease Agreement
(RLA form).
What happens if the Section 8 owner corrects the
deficiencies which are my responsibility?
If the owner corrects the deficiencies, your participation
in the program will continue. The owner can bill
you for the cost of repairing any tenant-caused deficiencies.
If the Owner is Responsible…
How do I get the owner to make repairs?
You should first notify the owner in writing of necessary
repairs and send a copy of the correspondence to
your Section 8 Advisor. Allow the owner 30 days to
correct the deficiencies. If the conditions present
an immediate threat to your health and safety, you
should immediately notify the owner by telephone
and in writing and allow the owner 24-48 hours to
make the repairs.
What if the repairs are not made within the appropriate
time period?
Contact your Section 8 Advisor to request a maintenance
complaint inspection. The Inspector will verify and
document the deficiencies and notify the owner of
when the deficiencies must be corrected.
What if the owner still doesn't cooperate?
The Housing Authority will schedule the unit for
automatic reinspection. If the owner fails to correct
the deficiencies by the time of the reinspection,
the Housing Assistance Payment will be stopped.
The owner will not be entitled to payments until
repairs have been made and verified by a Housing
Authority Inspector.
What happens if the repairs still aren't completed
after the Housing Assistance Payment has been abated?
Your Section 8 Advisor will recertify you to locate
another unit which meets Housing Quality Standards.
Your Advisor will terminate the Contract after appropriate
notice to you and the owner.
What happens if I don't want to move?
In order to receive Section 8 assistance, you must
locate a unit which meets Housing Quality Standards.
Disclaimer of Liability:
The information contained in this material is for
the sole purpose of providing general information
only, and must not be construed as legal advice,
or take the place of competent legal counsel. Do
not rely on these materials without consulting an
attorney concerning your situation. The dissemination
of this information does not create an attorney-client
relationship and does not seek to represent you based
upon your visit or review of this information.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information
contained in the material is current. However, the
law does change and the general information contained
within may become dated. You should seek the advice
of legal counsel for specific situations and advice
to the "then existing" status of the law.