Review the Benefits for Participating Landlords handout. You may also sign-up for the next New Landlord Orientation by emailing: landlord.housing@hawaiicounty.gov. Watch the Participating Landlord video: https://youtu.be/M6n9bwwMH30. You may also contact our Landlord Liaison by email preferred landlord.housing@hawaiicounty.gov or by calling (808) 959-4642 Ext: 1904 with additional questions.

The first step is you the Landlord will select a Tenant/Family to rent your unit. If they're a current or becoming a Section 8 participant - ask them for their "Rental Packet". Fill out the Rental Packet, sign and date. Provide the Tenant with a "Proposed Lease Agreement". This is an unsigned rental lease agreement, 6 months or more. Most common we see is a 6 months or 1 year lease.

Tenant or Landlord may turn in 2 things:

• Rental Packet &
• Proposed Lease Agreement

Then we'll contact the Landlord to schedule the inspection and get everything set-up.

For more information, contact our Landlord Liaison by email landlord.housing@hawaiicounty.gov or phone (808) 959-4642 Ext: 1904.

You determine the monthly rent amount for the unit. However, the rent must be reasonable compared to other units of similar location, quality, size, type, and age. If the rent is not reasonable to similar units, you may be asked to adjust it to accommodate the tenant interested in moving into the property. It also must be affordable for the family.

Participating tenants in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (Section 8) typically pay 30-40% of their Adjusted Monthly Income (AMI) directly to the landlord the beginning of every month. The County Housing portion is the remaining amount of rent, if the monthly rent was determined reasonable and affordable for the family. Landlords typically will receive 2 payments (1 portion from Section 8 Tenant and 1 portion from County Housing) at the beginning of each month that will equal the monthly rent amount.

The housing authority will direct deposit (if set up, otherwise it's a check in the mail) housing assistance payments directly into the landlords bank account monthly. Direct deposit is not required but it is highly recommended. The tenant would pay the difference between the total rent and the payment made by the housing authority.

Monthly deposits of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are paid on the first business day of every month. A delay in the housing authority’s payment may be expected when the tenant first moves into the unit. But should be automatic after the direct deposit is being set-up during the first month. 

OHCD does not screen tenants for suitability of tenancy. It is your responsibility as a Landlord to screen interested tenants. You have the right to select the tenant. However, you must not discriminate against an individual or family because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, or disability - Check Federal and State Fair Housing Laws.

Damages beyond normal wear and tear and if they are tenant-related can be paid for by the tenant. You should have a standard practice listed in the lease as to how damages will be paid for by the tenant if that should occur. After the tenant moves out, you may take compensation for damages beyond the normal wear and tear from the tenant’s security deposit and/or take court action. The Housing Authority does not pay for any damages to your property. A helpful resource is the Landlord Tenant Mediation Program if you need a third-party Mediator to help write up agreements and payment plans if needed. Another helpful resource is the State of Hawaiʻi Landlord Tenant Handbook. The last page has a chart of helpful timelines and information.

If you have repeated problems with the tenant, you have the right to enforce your lease and take the necessary actions against the tenant. Whenever you do start proceedings against a client, you must follow local regulations. Should you send the tenant any correspondence in writing, such as a warning letter or a notice to vacate, please send a copy to the housing authority by email sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.

Get my Rental Ready for the County Housing Inspection:

• Common Fail Items

• A Good Place to Live!

A Simple Step-by-Step Process to approve your unit:

1. Interview and screen prospective tenants.
2. Select a tenant, fill out the Rental Packet including the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form. All eligible tenants will have these documents in their possession. Either you or the tenant may submit the forms to the Housing Authority.
3. An appointment will be scheduled with you for the health and safety Inspection.
4. When the dwelling passes the inspection and the rent is determined reasonable, a lease effective date will be established, and the Housing Authority will complete and mail a required Housing Assistance Payments contract for your signature.
5. The Lease will be signed by both the Landlord and tenant and a copy provided to the Housing Authority.
6. The Housing Assistance Payment Contract is received with the original signature.
7. Housing Assistance Payments start.

To sign up for direct deposit or to change the designation of your direct deposit, please complete the Direct Deposit enrollment form and submit it to the Housing Authority along with a valid bank document.

Landlords may access a history of their monthly HAP payments for all section 8 units at hapcheck.com. The requested “Tax ID” would be your social security number or EIN number. The password is your designated county V8 number declared on the top right corner of the Notice of Rent adjustment.

The Housing Authority must receive a signed, written request from you stating the name and address of the new HAP payee and the effective date of the assignment to change the HAP payee under an outstanding HAP contract.

Within 10 business days of receiving your request, the Housing Authority will inform you in writing whether the assignment may take place.

A new owner must provide a written certification to the PHA that includes:

1. A copy of the escrow statement or other document showing the transfer of title and recorded deed;
2. A copy of the owner’s IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, or the social security number of the new owner;
3. The effective date of the HAP contract assignment;
4. A written agreement to comply with the terms of the HAP contract; and
5. A certification that the new owner is not a prohibited relative.
6. More information may be requested by the PHA.

After the initial occupancy period of the lease, Landlord could request a Rental Increase Request in writing 60+ days in advance to sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov and send a copy to the Section 8 Tenant.

All rent adjustments will be effective the first of the month following 60 days after the housing authority is in receipt of the request or the date specified by the owner, whichever is later.

At least 45 days written notice.

You will need to enforce the terms specified in your rental agreement. You may also give the tenant a written notice for past due rent and submit a copy to your tenants OHCD caseworker email sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.

Yes, email sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov. 

Here are some Resources for Tenants and Landlords that are either having difficulties communicating, conflict, disagreements and so on.

• Landlord Tenant Mediation Program
• 3^rd party mediator to help resolve conflict
• Through Zoom or in Hilo Lagoon office
• Landlords or Tenants may submit an intake Online and find more info here: https://hawaiimediation.org/landlordtenant/
• Phone: (808) 935-7844 Ext: 8
• Landlord-Tenant Mediation Flyer

• Landlord Tenant Code Handbook
• View the Handbook here
• This is Hawai’i State Laws, Section 8 did not create this
• You may try to call the Landlord Tenant Hotline (808) 933-0910 between 8am-12pm. Often they will refer people back to the handbook linked above – please read through.
• Chart of Helpful State of Hawai'i Timelines/Deadlines

• Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i
• Phone (808) 961-2851

Please remember to send our County Housing office a copy of any communication sent or received in writing to sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.