Request For Tenancy Approval (RFTA)
What is a Request For Tenancy Approval (RFTA)
A Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) is a document used in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). The RFTA is completed by a prospective landlord and the tenant (voucher holder) and submitted to the Housing Authority (HA). The purpose of the RFTA is to initiate the process of approving a rental unit for the tenant and ensuring it meets the program's requirements.
- Tenants will not receive their voucher and relocation packet (RFTA - Request for Tenancy Approval) until the Eligibility Re-Examination has been completed or they have have been determined eligible to receive assistance.
- The voucher expires 180 days from the effective date of Voucher issuance. Tolling time will be added to the voucher if the RFTA packet submitted to the HA has been cancelled. Additionally, a written request can be submitted to the HA for approval if additional time is needed.
- Tenants are responsible for searching for a unit, having funds for all moving costs, and funds for any holding deposits and security deposits.
- The RFTA packet, once submitted to the HA, will be reviewed and processed within 24-48 hours. If the submitted RFTA packet is incomplete, the relocation process may be delayed and ultimately cancelled.
- Once the RFTA is approved, the HA has 7 business days to schedule the initial move-in inspection. The owner and tenant will be notified by phone by the Inspector’s Unit.
- The tenant is not required to be present at the inspection. The HA requires an adult aged 18+ to be present at the inspection to grant access to the unit for the inspector.
- All utilities must be turned on, or the inspection will not be scheduled.
- The stove and/or refrigerator are not required to be in the unit at the time of inspection. However, the unit is not considered “Passed” until all appliances are installed. An Inconclusive Statement will be provided to the tenant to be completed and returned to the HA.
- Please refer to the RFTA caseworker regarding the status of the inspection.
- The relocation status, requests, and required documents from the HA will be communicated directly to the owner/property management. It is the responsibility of the owner/property management to communicate effectively with their tenant.
- The tenant should not enter into a Lease Agreement until on or after the effective date provided on the voucher and RFTA packet, along with a passed unit inspection.
- The Lease Agreement and additional closing documents are to be returned to the HA within 7 days after the passed inspection.
- The Lease Agreement is the responsibility of the owner to draft. The lease is a contract between the owner and the tenant. The HA requires all leases to be a minimum of 12 months. The lease does not need to start on the first of the month.
- The Lease Agreement needs to align with the terms of the HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) Contract. The HAP Contract is the agreement between the owner and the HA.
- The owner is responsible for providing supporting documents to verify the TAX ID listed on the W-9. For a Social Security Number, a copy of the Social Security card will need to be provided. For an EIN, the IRS SS-4 form will need to be provided.
- All HAP is issued via Direct Deposit.
- The HAP to the owner will be issued within 30 to 60 days after the passed inspection.
- HAP will be retroactive to the effective date of the Lease Agreement and HAP Contract.
- All questions regarding HAP payment are to be directed to the RFTA caseworker, not the Accounting Department.