Inspection FAQs: Hoarding

For an apartment to be leased by a Metro Housing|Boston Section 8 voucher holder, the apartment must meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the supplemental inspection requirements of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). For this reason, it is important to address inspectional issues accordingly as they are occurring and address matters with the tenant first. Units in which are not within HQS may result in termination of payments or termination in the HAP contract.

What is Metro Housing|Boston’s role when it comes to issues with the tenant and their unit?

Metro Housing|Boston’s role is program administration and confirming units meet Housing quality Standards in order to release housing assistance payments. Our role is not property management or lease enforcement, or case work. Our HAP Contract is between our agency and the owner, while the voucher is between the participant/tenant and our agency. The lease which is legally binding contract, is only between the owner and participant/tenant.

There is hoarding in my tenant's unit. What do I do?

If you suspect there is a hoarding issue with your tenant, please first address this issue with the tenant. Although we do not have a hoarding department, there are resources available for these issues. See our resource page for more information. If the tenant does not correct the issue and you can provide proof of the issue, we will schedule an inspection within 5 business days and set a re-inspection schedule 30 days following the initial inspection.