Inspection FAQs: Tenant Caused Damage

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.

A tenant has damaged the unit. What do I do?

Any damage to a unit should be directed to the tenant and treated in the same situation as a market tenant with referencing the lease terms and rules. As the owner you can exercise your right to bring the matter to court or reduce funds from the security deposit. We are not able to provide any legal advice on the matter and our agency is not involved in the lease and cannot enforce the lease terms. For more information on owner rights in Massachusetts, please see the following link regarding terms of rental agreement. https://www.mass.gov/guides/the-attorney-generals-guide-to-landlord-and-tenant-rights#-terms-of-a-rental-agreement-