I want to move with my Section 8 Mobile Voucher – Metro Housing

In order to move, there are several steps in this process, and you must be approved by our agency. This article is based on Mobile/Tenant-based Section8/MTW Program only. If you have or suspect you have a different voucher, please see the appropriate section:

All leasing documents related to a relocation with a Section 8 mobile voucher should be sent to HCVLeasing@metrohousingboston.org.

I want to move. What’s the first step and can I pass in a unit right away?

A family can only begin the housing search once they have received a voucher for housing search. The voucher will include the name of the head of household, the number of bedrooms the family qualifies for, and the issuance and expiration dates for housing search. In order to receive a housing search voucher, the family must first be found eligible for rental assistance and housing search.

Step 1: Meeting Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility includes the following:

The family must have proper notice to terminate the lease: The easiest way to provide proper notice is to sign a mutual termination agreement with the property owner of their current assisted unit which can be found here. The form must be signed and dated by the Head of Household as well as the current property owner; it is recommended that at least 30 days’ notice is provided, and that the lease termination be effective for the month.

If we receive a relocation packet and no notice, we will not process it. Due to confidentiality we will not be able to explain the reason for delays on processing the paperwork to the new owner.

This may affect the owner’s decision to continue with your application.

For an example of proper notice and how to fill out a mutual termination agreement, please click here.

Be in good standing with the owner.
You do not owe any back rent.
You are not in the process of being evicted for tenant caused violations.
You have not defaulted on a repayment agreement with Metro Housing.
Please note, if you are moving out of state, you must pay off your full repayment agreement in order to meet this requirement. More on Portability here.
Not be in the first year of your lease (exceptions include cases of domestic violence or an approved reasonable accommodation).

My owner is fine with me moving, that is enough, correct?

Verbal consent from an owner is not legally binding but your lease is. We will not accept notice through any means other than a mutual termination agreement or notice to terminate tenancy allowed by the lease.

How will I know if I am eligible?

After submitting proper notice and meeting the requirements, your request will be reviewed by the Leased Housing department. If approved, you will be re-issued a new voucher so you may begin the relocation. Please note this can take a week to process and review.

Step 2: Recertify

Part of relocating is recertifying again. This is required. Once you intend to move and have passed in your mutual termination agreement, you can recertify a few ways:

Filling out the electronic packet. Please note, if you take this route, inform the Gateway department you have completed this and it was completed due to your intent to relocate. https://www.cognitoforms.com/MetroHousingBoston1/FamilyCertification
Through a fillable packet.
Request a physical packet. Please note, this can delay the process as we have to mail the packet. .

Step 3: How do I locate a unit and once I do, then what?

You and your property owner will need to complete fill out a leasing packet (RFTA). Updated leasing packets are provided to you when you have been approved to relocate with your voucher. The packets contain the appropriate contacts for the leasing process for the participant as different programs have different contacts. If you not have a copy of your voucher and a leasing packet, you have not been approved to move. You can use your voucher with most rental apartments or homes in the private market. A list of housing search websites can be found here. Metro Housing also offers a free apartment listing available here; however, we do not screen these units or property owners, and not all units can be approved for tenancy.

Unsure on how to fill out these documents? See this section here!

STEP 4: The Inspection Process

Once the RFTA and all applicable documents have been passed in, the paperwork will be reviewed and submitted to our inspections department. If all documentation is correct and there are no missing documents, it will take a week to process. Once the inspections department receives the paperwork, they will contact the potential owner directly to set up the inspection.

How long does it take to schedule and perform the inspection?

This step is dependent on two major factors outside the agencies control:

Getting in contact with the owner to agree upon the date and their availability
When the unit is ready, which is determined by the landlord.

Do not contact the inspections department directly, as they do not have access to the unit records until the RFTA has been processed.

If the unit is ready for inspection, our inspectors can perform the inspection within 5 business days.

The initial inspection is completed: Once the inspection occurs, the property owner will be notified on-site of the results. Within 2 business days, the Market Analyst must conduct a market review of the unit to determine if the contract rent is reasonable. If the rent is not approved, the Market Analyst may negotiate the rent with the owner to a reasonable amount. If the owner is unwilling to accept the negotiated amount, the unit will be rejected.

The rent is not approved and cannot be negotiated: If the owner rejects the approval contract rent provided by the Market Analyst, then the unit is considered a no-go and you will not be able to move into this unit.

The unit does not pass inspection:

Once the inspection occurs, it takes 24 hours for the results to be processed in our system. If the unit fails, the owner will be told on the spot of the results and will need to make the repairs. This time frame varies as the owner will then need to contact our inspections department directly to confirm the repairs have been made and set up a time for a reinspection.

The unit fails again

If the new unit does not pass, we will not be able to approve the unit. You can reinstate your current unit’s lease with our reinstatement form or locate a new unit and pass in a new owner packet (See Step 3).

I am unable to find a unit, now what?

If you are unable to find a unit, you can sign a reinstatement form with your current owner and either reinstate indefinitely or with a new termination date for an additional month.

Step 5: The Leasing Process

After the unit passes inspection and rent reasonableness, a specialist will review the leasing information. At this time all of the following steps must be complete:

The recertification forms have all been completed.
Any required verifications of income or other changes have been submitted.
The owner has provided an unsigned lease for review.

If any of these are not completed, it may result in delays or denial of the move.

The specialist will notify the owner and tenant of the lease information and rent share amounts, and provide lease signing information and relevant contracts. The owner and tenant need to meet to sign the lease, pay for any move-in costs, and hand over keys. A copy of the lease, which must include the required HUD lease addendum, and a copy of the owner’s HAP contract must be returned to the specialist.

If the tenant fails to move in, or if the lease and contract are not returned, the move will be voided, and the tenant may need to move again.

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