New Landlord Information

Welcome, property owners and property managers. This section brings together what you need to begin participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program with HACA.

Please take the time to review all of the information on this page, and be sure to click through each of the tabs below. If after reviewing you have any questions or would like further information, please contact our Landlord Outreach Team at landlordassistance@haca.org.

Direct Deposit Authorization Form (PDF)

Landlord Office Hours Town Hall

Section under construction. Check back later.

Landlord Incentives

Short Vacancies
There is strong demand for affordable housing in Buncombe County, so vacancies in the HCV Program are often filled quickly.

Landlord Mitigation Fund
HACA has a damage mitigation fund to help owners in the rare case of a tenant causing excessive damage to an apartment. Subject to fund approval.

Protection From Tenant Financial Hardship
When a tenant’s income changes, their rent portion is adjusted. If income drops, the tenant’s portion is reduced and the HAP increases, which helps minimize evictions and unit turnaround expenses.

On-Time Payments
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is paid on time every month by direct deposit.

Free Access to Potential Tenants
Voucher holders are referred to AffordableHousing.com to search for rentals. Owners can create a free account, list available properties, and review tenant profiles.

Landlord Forms

Select a form below to view or download it.

HCV Program Features

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8, helps very low-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities afford safe, decent housing throughout Buncombe County.

Tenant-Based Vouchers

• Families select and rent affordable housing in the private market.
• Tenants pay 30–40% of their income toward rent and utilities.
• HACA pays housing assistance directly to landlords on behalf of voucher holders.

Learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher Program

Getting Started with HCV Program

1. List the unit on AffordableHousing.com.
2. When a potential tenant reaches out to you, you can conduct the same background or credit checks you would do for a non-voucher holder resident.
3. Fill out the RFTA packet that the tenant provides to you, and turn it in to the tenant’s Housing Specialist.
4. Once the RFTA is approved, the Inspections Department will contact you to schedule the HQS inspection (see the Inspections Process tab for more information).
5. After the unit has passed HQS, you can sign the lease and give the tenant the keys.
6. Provide the Housing Specialist with a copy of the lease, and they will provide you with the HAP contract.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Landlord Outreach Team at landlordassistance@haca.org.

About Your Lease Agreement

The lease start date cannot be dated prior to the unit passing inspection. Please do not supply the tenant with keys until the unit passes inspection. HACA will not begin paying on a unit until the inspection passes.

The end date for the lease should be the last day of the month prior to the 1-year mark. For example: if the lease starts on 3/15/2027, it will end on 2/28/2028.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Landlord Outreach Team at landlordassistance@haca.org.

Documents Needed

The following documents are required to participate in the program:

• RFTA packet with unit and utility information
• W-9 for tax purposes
• Property Ownership form

Forms can be found in the Landlord Forms tab. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Landlord Outreach Team at landlordassistance@haca.org.

Inspections Process

HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set the minimum health and safety criteria for units in the program. Please see the FAQ form as well as the example inspection booklet for examples.

Before a lease can be signed, an initial inspection must be conducted on the unit. Inspections will take place approximately every 2 years after that. Special inspections can be requested in between the biennial inspection period by the landlord or tenant.

Please note that effective 12/1/2023, HUD requires all smoke detectors to be hardwired or 10-year sealed battery, and one must be in every bedroom.

Moving to NSPIRE on 02/01/2027

Beginning on 02/01/2027, in accordance with updated HUD regulations, HACA has adopted the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) inspection protocol. Information for that is below:

• Implementation of NSPIRE Inspection Standards
• NSPIRE Checklist

Getting Paid

HACA pays the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), which may be all of the rent or a significant portion depending on family income, on time every month by direct deposit into your bank account. To set up payments, complete the Direct Deposit Authorization Form.

You will receive the HAP on the first of the month following the start of the HAP contract. If the HAP contract is initiated during the last week of the month, there may be a delay in processing the payment due to our month-end process.

Questions about payments? Contact the Landlord Outreach Team at landlordassistance@haca.org.

Landlord Owner Portal

Owners and property managers can log in to the HACA Landlord Portal using the button below.

Go to the Landlord Portal

Payment Standards and Utility Allowances

• Utility Allowance Schedule
• Administrative Plan