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Rent Increase Request

 

Thank you for your participation in Decatur Housing Authority's (DHA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. We are pleased that you have chosen to be a member of our team and provide quality affordable housing to eligible families. 

In a letter dated November 20, 2018, landlords were notified that the way DHA processed rent increase requests was changing. The letter stated that effective January 1, 2019, rent increases would only be processed at annual recertification. Rent increases would not be processed at other times during the year.

To request a rent increase, owners should submit the Notice to Increase Rent form at least ninety (90) days before the end of the lease term. The federal regulations require housing authorities to give families sixty (60) days' notice of a rent increase. The rent increase will be processed when the family's annual recertification is processed as long as the Notice to Increase Rent form is received by DHA ninety (90) days before the end of the lease term. 

The anniversary month is the month the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract is effective. The family's anniversary is the first day of that month.

For example, if the family moved into the unit November 16, 2018, the anniversary month is November 2019 and the Notice to Increase Rent form should be submitted to the tenant's Housing Specialist at least ninety (90) days before October 31, 2019.

Please keep in mind the family's HCV program anniversary date does not change when a new owner purchases the property where the family resides. The family's anniversary date remains the same.

Owners may not request a rent increase during the first term of the lease.

Owners may not request a rent increase more than once in a twelve (12) month period.

Owners may not increase the rent on an abated unit.

Before the DHA can approve your rent increase request, we must determine if the requested rent is reasonable in comparison to similar properties in the area, usually within a five-mile radius of the subject property. For the rent to be reasonable, the requested rent may not be more than rent charged for comparable units in the private unassisted market. In addition, the rent may not be more than rent charged by the owner for comparable unassisted units on the premises. 

HUD requires housing authorities to take into consideration location, size, type of unit, quality of unit, age of unit, amenities offered, housing services provided, maintenance provided, and utilities supplied by the owner, to determine if the requested rent is reasonable.

DHA uses the website affordable housing obtain comparables. Owners are encouraged to list their properties on affordable housing.   Owners who have multifamily properties should list units rented to unassisted families as these units can be used as comparables.  

Thank you again for your participation with our Housing Choice Voucher Program.  We value our landlords and look forward to continuing our relationship and providing quality affordable housing in DeKalb County.