Landlord Resources and Events

Please feel free to scroll this page in its entirety.  You will find useful information related to the following:

HUD NSPIRE Smoke Detector Policy Update

Effective Date: December 29, 2024

To ensure resident safety and compliance with the latest HUD National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) requirements, all Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) must implement the following smoke alarm standards by December 29, 2024.

Smoke Alarm Specifications

• All smoke alarms must be either hardwired or equipped with sealed, 10-year batteries to ensure long-term functionality and reduce maintenance needs.
• Smoke alarms must provide notification options suitable for individuals with hearing impairments, ensuring accessibility for all residents.

Installation Requirements

Location Requirements

Smoke alarms must be installed:

• On each level of the dwelling.
• Inside every sleeping area.
• Outside each sleeping area, within 21 feet of any bedroom door along the path of travel.

Placement Guidelines

When installing smoke alarms:

• Mount alarms high on walls or ceilings for optimal performance.
• If mounted on the ceiling, position them more than 4 inches from the wall.
• If mounted on the wall, place the top edge of the alarm between 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to prevent false alarms.
• Do not install smoke alarms in kitchens or bathrooms due to potential false alarms and humidity interference.
• Do not install smoke alarms within 3 feet of windows, fans, or vents with airflow, as this can impact sensor accuracy.
• Ensure smoke alarms are at least 3 inches from corners, as air circulation may be restricted in these areas.

PHA Compliance Timeline

All Public Housing Authorities must implement these smoke alarm standards by December 29, 2024. We encourage property owners and tenants to update their units accordingly to meet these new HUD regulations.

For more details, please visit HUD's NSPIRE Standards or contact our office for further guidance.

hud.gov

HCVP Lead Risk Assessment Demonstration (LRAD) LMH is offering free lead risk assessments to qualifying property owners.  Click on the link below for more information.

LRAD

Click here to access the Landlord Portal

HCVP Landlord Virtual Sessions

Please join us for our monthly "How to" live sessions that will allow you to interact with the HCVP team. Choose from the topics below and access the sessions via the Zoom link provided. 

HCVP Introduction Webinar

Click here for recording

 

Unit Affordability and Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) 

August 31, 2022, 10:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.

Click here for recording

 

Housing Quality Standards (HQS)

September 15, 2022, 10:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.

Click here for recording

 

HCVP Landlord Symposium

October 19, 2022, 10:00 a. m. - 1:00 p.m.

Toledo Lucas County Library, Main Location 

 

Annual Recertifications & Landlord Portal

November 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Please Click Here to Join

Meeting ID: 849 3734 2117
Passcode: 795570

 

Rent Increase & Change of Ownership 

TBD

How HCV Works?

What is a Housing Choice Voucher Program Landlord?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) increases affordable housing choices for very low-income and extremely low-income households by allowing families to choose privately-owned rental housing. The HCVP creates a three-way partnership between the local housing authority, the participating family and the owner/landlord of the private rental property.

What is the process to become a Landlord in the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
LMH issues vouchers to income-qualified participants, who selects the home they wish to rent. If the participant selected home meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection, LMH pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord.

A Landlord may advertise their available units, free of charge, at https://www.affordablehousing.com/

Landlords should qualify the prospective tenant through their own rental screening process first. LMH only verifies voucher holders as income-qualified for the HCVP. Once the landlord has approved the prospective tenant via their rental screening process, the prospective tenant will provide the landlord with a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA).

After the RFTA is returned to our office, we will:

• Verify the real estate taxes are current on the selected property (taxes cannot be delinquent)
• Contact you to schedule a HQS inspection (unit qualifications are defined in the Landlord Guidebook)

Your rental home will be determined ready for lease up once:

• The home has passed HQS inspection Inspection Basics
• Proposed rent has been determined reasonable (a rent survey will be conducted to determine if your requested rent is reasonable for the home and the area)
• Family has qualified for the unit within their voucher allowance (family size and income)
• A representative from LMH will contact you once the above steps have been satisfied and to authorize the move in date.  The family must not move in prior to LMH's authorization.
• A Housing Assistance Payments Contract (known as a HAP Contract) must be signed by the landlord and LMH. This contract runs concurrently with the landlord's Lease Agreement signed between the landlord and the assisted family. Payment of the family's portion of rent will begin on the effective date of the contract and lease. A family can remain on the Housing Choice Voucher Program as long as they continue to be eligible and fulfill their obligations under the federal regulations of the program.