Why do more than 5,000 rental property owners/managers in the City of San Diego participate in the Rental Assistance Program? Because they know it eases a lot of their rental problems. Plus, benefits such as direct deposit and guaranteed rents make good business sense.

The San Diego Housing Commission prizes its relationships with local owners and rental property managers and specializes in quick responses and ready support.

For questions or information about the "Section 8" Rental Assistance Program, call 619.578.7777.

You're the boss

With the Rental Assistance program, you maintain the same control and responsibilities as with your market rate renters. You select your assisted renters, just as you select any other renters. You charge the same rent as you charge for anyone just as long as it's comparable to rents for other units in your complex and/or in your neighborhood. You use your own lease form. Plus, you may choose between a six-month or one-year lease term to start with; then you are free to go "month to month" after that.

Other benefits

Participating rental owners tell us that one of the most popular benefits is guaranteed rents. Our share of the rent is on time every month. (We pay a portion of your tenant's rent directly to you - through direct deposit.) Plus, the renters are more likely to come up with their share on time, too, since they have less to pay.

Other program benefits include assistance with partial tenant pre-screenings for new voucher holders (recent local violent or drug-related crimes). And free annual inspections could help you uncover costly problems of which you might not otherwise be aware, such as safety hazards or "energy wasters." (For additional assistance with tenant screenings, you may wish to contact the San Diego County Apartment Association, 858.278.8070 for information about low-cost services.)

Property inspections

The inspection process is fairly simple. Here's what we're looking for: The federal government, which provides the resources to fund the program, gives us a list of possible hazards to look for, such as a smoke alarm without a battery, or an outlet without a switchplate. If everything checks out, the home passes. If not, we'll come back to reinspect. Many owners say this is a great service because we can catch problems that could lead to lawsuits by renters later - and problems that are costing you money, like energy-draining loose seals in the refrigerator door. (To help you sail through your inspection, use our owners' check-off list.)

Setting rent rates

At the time of the inspection, we'll work with you to clarify a maximum rent rate based on market rents (using a HUD formula).

The rent for your Section 8 tenant will be the same as you charge everyone else. You don't get less or more rent than you get from anyone else in one of your comparable units or the going rate in your neighborhood. (Click here for more information about rent rates.)

"Next to nothing" paperwork

You use your own lease. The only added paperwork is a contract with us and the Request for Tenancy Approval the tenant asked you to sign.

Enforcing rules

Once you've leased to a Section 8 voucher holder, you keep the same rights as you do for your other tenants. For example, you can enforce tenant rules with assisted tenants just as you would with anyone. Or, if your renter's portion of the rent is late, you may charge a late fee if you charge it to everyone else. The same goes with security deposit rules. If there is a problem, you can terminate the lease at any point with good cause - or terminate for whatever reason you choose, once the initial lease period is up. If you need help with these or any other issues, please call 619.578.7777.

Rent increases

After the initial lease term is up, you can get the same rent increase from the assisted renter as from anyone else - provided it's not more than what's comparable at that time in the neighborhood. We'll check "comps" fast for you.  (Click here for more information on rent increases.)

Got a vacancy? We'll help you lease up

Whenever you have a vacant rental unit, use our no-cost vacancy listing service available through GOsection8.  This searchable database is designed to maximize exposure to your rental listings and help keep your vacancies at a minimum. The listing is accessed by voucher holders on the Internet and through printed copies distributed in our lobby.