• Free advertisement of vacant units - Landlords are welcome to post their units on our website and printed lists of vacancies will be provided to tenants looking for good, affordable housing.
• You choose your tenants - Landlords are encouraged to screen tenants. Upon written request, the housing agency will provide the name and address of the tenant's prior landlord and information regarding past inspections. A participating landlord is not required to rent to a family who does not meet their non-discriminatory eligibility requirements. 
• Well-Maintained housing - Orange County Housing conducts an initial property inspection, annual inspections and special inspections upon the request of the landlord or tenant. Along with the landlord's periodic checks, these inspections help insure that the property is well maintained.
• Guaranteed rent - The portion of rent paid by the housing agency is mailed out the first working day of each month. Most Section 8 tenants have a financial safety net if they experience a loss of income.  In those instances, Orange County Housing normally increases its portion of the rent subsidy.
• Limited paperwork - Orange County prepares all Housing Assistance Payment contracts.  Landlords fill out the Request for Tenancy Approval forms and the lease. The bulk of the paperwork is prepared by the housing agency.
• Assistance in collecting for damages - If the landlord obtains a court ordered judgement against the tenant for damages or unpaid rent, Orange County Housing will enforce the order unless the tenant has been terminated from the program. 

The first step in becoming an Orange County Section 8 landlord is to attend a landlord briefing or orientation. 
List your property with Orange County  on-line.  Your property will be placed on a list of available units for thirty days.  It will be removed after thirty days unless you reenter it. 

Inquiring Section 8 families will be provided a copy of this listing.  It is up to the tenant to locate the unit they wish to rent.  Listing your property with Orange County does not guarantee a renter.

The landlord interviews, screens and selects a tenant. The landlord completes the Request for Tenancy Approval paperwork and returns it to either the family or to Orange County Housing.

To avoid being a victim of identity theft, we offer this suggestion:

• Guard your social security number or corporate ID number;
• Return the paperwork yourself to Orange County Housing rather than giving it to the tenant to return.

After Orange County Housing receives the completed Request or Tenancy Approval paperwork from either the tenant or the landlord, an inspection is scheduled within ten (10) working days.

The tenant should not move into the unit until after it passes inspection, as Orange County Housing may not pay any rent for a unit until it has passed an inspection.

After the unit is inspected, the inspector will conduct a rent-reasonable survey to determine if the requested rent amount is comparable to similar unassisted units in the same geographical area.  We cannot approve a rent that exceeds market rate.

Once the unit passes inspection, the rent is deemed "reasonable" and the move-in date is established, the landlord and tenant sign the lease and provides a copy to Orange County Housing.

The Housing Assistance Payment contract will be prepared within five working days of Orange County Housing receiving a copy of the lease.  Please note a payment may not be made until after both Orange County and the landlord sign the contract.

The landlord and tenant will both be notified in writing regarding how much rent is to be paid by the tenant and how much will be paid by Orange County.  Landlord manages and maintains the unit.  Landlord provides Orange County with a copy of any lease amendment, addendum, renewal or eviction notice given to the tenant.

Written requests for rent increases must be given to both the tenant and Orange County Housing sixty (60) days prior to raising the rent as provided by the lease.