New No-Contact Drop Box
There is now a no-contact drop box at our 575 Union office for all clients, voucher holders, and landlords to safely drop off paperwork and other documents. You can find the drop box on your right before entering the main doors of the West entrance.
For Existing Landlords
HAP Payments can be done via direct deposit by completing this form and returning via email to Accounting@mwhsolutions.org, or by fax or mail, Attn: Accounting. Once set up, each time an ACH payment is processed for you, you will receive an email from cdr@yardi.com notifying you that the payment has been processed, along with an attachment showing what was paid for each tenant.
Due to the coronavirus, MWHS has reviewed our operations and we are making changes. These changes are to improve and simplify our operations and to ensure the health and safety of our staff, program participants and landlords. We will be increasing our communications to all participants and landlords by using email.
Effective June 22, 2020 MWHS will send HAP contracts by email as a Docusign form. This will enable you to sign the HAP contract electronically and immediately return it to MWHS by email. This should prevent any delays in issuing HAP payments.
Also, MWHS will no longer mail landlords a letter requesting information on changes in tenant leases. Instead, please refer to Section 15.d of the Housing Assistance Payment Contract that states “owner must notify the PHA of any changes in the amount of the rent to owner at least sixty days before any such changes go into effect…” We will not process any lease changes, i.e., rent increases, unless we are notified 60-days in advance.
Information For Prospective Landlords
This section is a question and answer summary for owners, agents and managers of rental property.
What are the benefits for a participating landlord?
The HCV program allows you to fill a vacancy with a tenant who, by being on the program, gives you greater assurance of being able to afford the unit. Metro West Housing Solutions offers free advertisement of the vacant unit by listing it on the Available Rental Units listing which is made available to all HCV program participants that are searching for a rental unit.
What does a prospective landlord need to do?
MWHS refers landlords who want to make their rental units available to HCV participants to ColoradoHousingSearch.com. This site allows landlords to post units they would like to rent out for the entire Colorado region for free.
What are the rent limits?
There are no maximum rent limits, but the owner is expected to charge a reasonable market rent for the unit based upon its size, location and amenities. The Fair Market Rents set by HUD for the Lakewood area can be found on the HUD website at www.hud.gov The Fair Market Rents set by HUD are a guideline and include the cost of utilities. These do not imply that all rents should be set at these rates.
What kind of unit qualifies?
Any existing rental housing may be eligible; single family homes, condominiums, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes. All units must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection and meet local code requirements.
Can I get an inspection before I find an eligible Housing Choice Voucher participant to rent the unit?
No. The resources of Metro West Housing Solutions are limited and inspections can only be done after a unit is selected by an eligible participant. Metro West Housing Solutions also requests that you make any necessary repairs prior to an inspection to avoid the necessity of another inspection which could delay the start of the lease and contract effective period.
How does a unit pass an inspection?
Please see the Requirements Prior to Scheduling Inspections for HUD Housing Choice Vouchers. The unit needs to meet basic building codes for safe and sanitary housing. Doors and windows must open, close and lock. Plumbing and electrical systems must work properly. Heating/cooling systems must be adequate. Most well maintained rental units should be able to pass an inspection. In addition to the initial inspection, inspectors check the unit annually and on an interim basis if necessary. The inspector reports the findings to both you and Metro West Housing solutions.
Where can the unit be located?
These rental units can be located anywhere in Metro West Housing jurisdiction. These areas include: Lakewood, Edgewater, Wheat Ridge, Golden and unincorporated Jefferson County.
What are the landlord responsibilites?
The landlord is responsible to screen the HCV participant for suitability as a tenant, just as they would any prospective tenant. A Request for Tenancy Approval that is provided to the landlord, is completed and submitted back to Metro West Housing Solutions. Metro West Housing Solutions will then schedule a HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection of the rental unit. If it is determined that the unit meets HUD Housing Quality Standards, a lease is signed by the landlord and the HCV participant. In order to rent to a HCV participant the landlord must also sign a contract with Metro West Housing solutions.
The landlord is expected to collect a security deposit and the HCV participant's share of the rent. Metro West Housing Solutions will mail a check to the landlord on the first day of each month for its portion of the rent.
It is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the property's overall condition and see that the basic plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling systems, etc. function properly. Should the HCV participant violate the terms of the lease or fail to pay rent, the landlord can evict the participant through normal court eviction procedure. It is the responsibility of the landlord to send the HCV participant's Assisted Housing Specialist, copies of any notices of lease violations that are served to the participant. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under the federal regulations. If the participant damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. Damaging the unit may also result in the termination of the participant's assistance.
May I raise the rent once I have signed the contract?
Not in the first year of the lease. After the first year, the landlord may request an increase in writing, at least 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the lease. You must send a notice of rent increase to the HCV Specialist 60 days in advance.
What does the Housing Choice Voucher participant need to do?
The HCV participant is responsible to follow all of the terms of the lease as well as paying the rent and utilities for which they are obligated under the lease. The participant is also responsible for normal housekeeping of the rental unit. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under federal regulations. If the participant damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. Damaging the unit may also result in the termination of a participant's assistance.
HAP Payments can be done via direct deposit by completing this form and returning via email to Accounting@mwhsolutions.org, or by fax or mail, Attn: Accounting. Once set up, each time an ACH payment is processed for you, you will receive an email from cdr@yardi.com notifying you that the payment has been processed, along with an attachment showing what was paid for each tenant.
Due to the coronavirus, MWHS has reviewed our operations and we are making changes. These changes are to improve and simplify our operations and to ensure the health and safety of our staff, program participants and landlords. We will be increasing our communications to all participants and landlords by using email.
Effective June 22, 2020 MWHS will send HAP contracts by email as a Docusign form. This will enable you to sign the HAP contract electronically and immediately return it to MWHS by email. This should prevent any delays in issuing HAP payments.
Also, MWHS will no longer mail landlords a letter requesting information on changes in tenant leases. Instead, please refer to Section 15.d of the Housing Assistance Payment Contract that states “owner must notify the PHA of any changes in the amount of the rent to owner at least sixty days before any such changes go into effect…” We will not process any lease changes, i.e., rent increases, unless we are notified 60-days in advance.
Information For Prospective Landlords
This section is a question and answer summary for owners, agents and managers of rental property.
What are the benefits for a participating landlord?
The HCV program allows you to fill a vacancy with a tenant who, by being on the program, gives you greater assurance of being able to afford the unit. Metro West Housing Solutions offers free advertisement of the vacant unit by listing it on the Available Rental Units listing which is made available to all HCV program participants that are searching for a rental unit.
What does a prospective landlord need to do?
MWHS refers landlords who want to make their rental units available to HCV participants to ColoradoHousingSearch.com. This site allows landlords to post units they would like to rent out for the entire Colorado region for free.
What are the rent limits?
There are no maximum rent limits, but the owner is expected to charge a reasonable market rent for the unit based upon its size, location and amenities. The Fair Market Rents set by HUD for the Lakewood area can be found on the HUD website at www.hud.gov The Fair Market Rents set by HUD are a guideline and include the cost of utilities. These do not imply that all rents should be set at these rates.
What kind of unit qualifies?
Any existing rental housing may be eligible; single family homes, condominiums, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes. All units must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection and meet local code requirements.
Can I get an inspection before I find an eligible Housing Choice Voucher participant to rent the unit?
No. The resources of Metro West Housing Solutions are limited and inspections can only be done after a unit is selected by an eligible participant. Metro West Housing Solutions also requests that you make any necessary repairs prior to an inspection to avoid the necessity of another inspection which could delay the start of the lease and contract effective period.
How does a unit pass an inspection?
Please see the Requirements Prior to Scheduling Inspections for HUD Housing Choice Vouchers. The unit needs to meet basic building codes for safe and sanitary housing. Doors and windows must open, close and lock. Plumbing and electrical systems must work properly. Heating/cooling systems must be adequate. Most well maintained rental units should be able to pass an inspection. In addition to the initial inspection, inspectors check the unit annually and on an interim basis if necessary. The inspector reports the findings to both you and Metro West Housing solutions.
Where can the unit be located?
These rental units can be located anywhere in Metro West Housing jurisdiction. These areas include: Lakewood, Edgewater, Wheat Ridge, Golden and unincorporated Jefferson County.
What are the landlord responsibilites?
The landlord is responsible to screen the HCV participant for suitability as a tenant, just as they would any prospective tenant. A Request for Tenancy Approval that is provided to the landlord, is completed and submitted back to Metro West Housing Solutions. Metro West Housing Solutions will then schedule a HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection of the rental unit. If it is determined that the unit meets HUD Housing Quality Standards, a lease is signed by the landlord and the HCV participant. In order to rent to a HCV participant the landlord must also sign a contract with Metro West Housing solutions.
The landlord is expected to collect a security deposit and the HCV participant's share of the rent. Metro West Housing Solutions will mail a check to the landlord on the first day of each month for its portion of the rent.
It is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the property's overall condition and see that the basic plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling systems, etc. function properly. Should the HCV participant violate the terms of the lease or fail to pay rent, the landlord can evict the participant through normal court eviction procedure. It is the responsibility of the landlord to send the HCV participant's Assisted Housing Specialist, copies of any notices of lease violations that are served to the participant. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under the federal regulations. If the participant damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. Damaging the unit may also result in the termination of the participant's assistance.
May I raise the rent once I have signed the contract?
Not in the first year of the lease. After the first year, the landlord may request an increase in writing, at least 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the lease. You must send a notice of rent increase to the HCV Specialist 60 days in advance.
What does the Housing Choice Voucher participant need to do?
The HCV participant is responsible to follow all of the terms of the lease as well as paying the rent and utilities for which they are obligated under the lease. The participant is also responsible for normal housekeeping of the rental unit. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under federal regulations. If the participant damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. Damaging the unit may also result in the termination of a participant's assistance.
