04 - HAADMIN PLAN 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.ILH. ENFORCING FAMILY COMPLIANCE WITH HQS [24 CFR 982.404(b)] Families are responsible for correcting any HQS violations listed in paragraph 8.LD. If the family fails to correct a violation within the period allowed by SAHA (and any extensions), SAHA will terminate the family's assistance, according to the policies described in Chapter 12. If the owner carries out a repair for which the family is responsible under the lease, the owner may bill the family for the cost of the repair. PART III: RENT REASONABLENESS [24 CFR 982.507] 8-IILA. OVERVIEW No HAP contract can be approved until SAHA has determined that the rent for the unit is reasonable. The purpose of the rent reasonableness testis to ensure that a fair rent is paid for each unit rented under the HCV program. HUD regulations define a reasonable rent as one that does not exceed the rent charged for comparable, unassisted units in the same market area. HUD also requires that owners not charge more for assisted units than for comparable units on the premises. This part explains the method used to determine whether a unit's rent is reasonable. 8-III.B. WHEN RENT REASONABLENESS DETERMINATIONS ARE REQUIRED Owner-initiated Rent Determinations SAHA must make a rent reasonableness determination at initial occupancy and whenever the owner requests a rent adjustment. SAHA must determine whether the proposed rent is reasonable before a HAP Contract is signed. SAHA will negotiate the rent with the owner if needed. The owner must not change the rent during the initial lease term. Subsequent requests for rent adjustments must be consistent with the lease between the owner and the family. Rent increases will not be approved unless any failed items identified by the most recent HQS inspection have been corrected. After the initial occupancy period, the owner may request a rent adjustment in accordance with the owner's lease. For rent increase requests after initial lease-up, SAHA may request owners to provide information about the rents charged for other units on the premises, if the premises include more than 4 units. In evaluating the proposed rents in comparison to other units on the premises SAHA will consider unit size and length of tenancy in the other units. SAHA will determine whether the requested increase is reasonable within 14 days of receiving the request from the owner. The owner will be notified of the determination in writing. All rents adjustments will be effective the first of the month following 60 days after SAHA's receipt of the owner's request or on the date specified by the owner, whichever is later. ii/29/io Page 8-13