Information for Landlords

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection

What is the purpose of Housing Quality Standards?
The goal of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is to provide “decent, safe and “sanitary” housing at an affordable cost to low-income families. Housing Quality Standards Inspection help BHA accomplish that goal by defining “standard housing” and establishing the minimum quality criteria necessary for the health and safety of program participants. All HCV housing units must meet these housing quality standards in order to participate in the HCV program.

What are the key aspects of housing quality covered by performance requirements and acceptability criteria in the HQS?
The key aspects of housing quality covered by the HQS include:
• Sanitary facilities;
• Food preparation and refuse disposal;
• Space and security;
• Thermal environment;
• Illumination and electricity;
• Structure and materials
• Interior air quality;
• Water supply;
• Lead-based paint;
• Access;
• Site and neighborhood;
• Sanitary condition;
• Smoke Detectors

Owners may also use our Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Self Inspection Checklist to prepare for an inspection:

How are Housing Quality Standards enforced?
HQS inspections are conducted by McCright & Associates to ensure that potential and current HCV housing units meet the minimum performance and acceptability criteria for each of the housing quality aspects.

When do HQS inspections occur?
HQS inspections come in different varieties. Initial Inspections occur when a voucher holder indicates to BHA that they desire to lease a specific housing unit. The unit must pass the initial inspection before the execution of the assisted lease and housing assistance payments (HAP) contract and the initiation of payments. Annual Inspections occur once a year on housing units that are currently under lease by an HCV participant family. Annual inspections ensure that HCV housing units continue to meet HQS throughout the tenancy of the HCV participant family. Special Inspections may be complaint inspections or quality control inspections. Complaint inspections occur when a tenant, owner, or member of the public complains about the condition of an HCV housing unit. Quality control inspections examine a sample of housing units within a give PHA’s jurisdiction each year and occur throughout the year.

Where can I read more about Housing Quality Standards?
Please see Chapter 8 of the Administrative Plan for more information on HQS.

How to become a Section 8 Landlord 

Landlords in the private market can lease their apartments to families on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program is federally funded and administered by the Brockton Housing Authority (BHA). The process of renting to a family in the Section 8 Housing Voucher Choice program is similar to renting to a family in the private market – the landlord is responsible for screening applicants for suitability as tenants. Selecting tenants, whether Voucher holders or not, is limited only by fair housing requirements and the prohibition of discrimination as established by federal and state law.
When you rent an apartment to a BHA Section 8 Voucher holder you become a BHA landlord.

BHA can help you advertise your property directly to Section 8 participants. BHA publishes an apartment listing that is made available to voucher holders online and at our Administration Building (1090 Main Street, Brockton MA 02301). This list is generated when landlords or property managers supply BHA with information they have about available or soon to be available units for rent.

If you would like to have an apartment added to our list, please call or email Bruna Campbell, 508-427-9093 / BrunaC@brocktonha.com with the following information regarding your vacate unit.

• Your contact information; name, phone number, email
• Full address of property you would like listed
• Number of bedroom
• Proposed Rent Amount
• Any other details you would like to included

Landlords/property managers are responsible for notifying BHA promptly when they would like to have a listing removed, otherwise it will be removed 2 months after being publicized. Please e-mail or call Bruna Campbell to have an apartment removed from our list.

Forms

Brockton Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) Effective: July 1 2023
30-DAY NOTICE TO MOVE
Landlord Direct Deposit
Landlord HMS.PAYPAL
Landlord W9
Mutual Rescission of Lease
Request for Rent Increase

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Rental Assistance Staff

FAQ

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