• List Your Property.
• Your property will be placed on a roster of available units. Certified families can search this list of available units, but you are not guaranteed that an eligible family will rent your unit.
• The landlord interviews and screens prospective families.
• The landlord selects a family based on the landlord's screening criteria and fair-housing law requirements.
• The landlord completes the move-in paperwork and returns it to the family.
• The family submits the move-in paperwork to the Housing Choice Program office, and this information is forwarded to the Inspection Department.
• The landlord and inspector arrange the date and time of inspection.
• Once the unit passes inspection and the move-in date is established, the landlord and family sign the lease and contract documents.
• After all documents are signed, the family receives the keys to the unit.
• Finally, the family moves into the unit. The landlord has sole responsibility for the management and maintenance of the unit from this point.

If you're ready to list your property with the MHA, do the following:

• Create a new MHA website account and activate your account using the link that will be sent to you via email.
• Once your account is activated and you're logged in, you'll see the USER MENU on the top right of each page.  Select → Create an Account.  This actually creates the account that will be used to manage your properties.
• Enter and submit the requested information.  Once you've submitted your information, you will be taken to your Property Management account where you can add, edit, change or delete your property listing(s).
• URL will remain the same www.mariettahousingauthority.org.  
• If you are interested in expanding your property’s visibility, you should consider listing your property on the GoSec8 and/or Georgia Housing Search websites.
• If you listed your property on the GoSec8 or Georgia Housing Search site, clients will still be able to review your listing and you may opt to not register on the MHA website.

REVIEW OUR RENT-READY CHECKLIST.
 
HUD regulations require The Marietta Housing Authority to inspect all potential Housing Choice units to ensure that they are "decent, safe and sanitary" according to federal Housing Quality Standards ("HQS"). No unit can be leased through Housing Choice unless it meets these standards.

Over and above these standards, The Marietta Housing Authority has also established its own set of criteria to ensure that Housing Choice families receive superior housing choices in good neighborhoods with a strong quality-of-life infrastructure. We consider healthy neighborhoods to be those with good schools and easy access to public transit and shopping, as well as low concentrations of poverty and crime. The Marietta Housing Authority will reject units located in debilitated areas or where there is a high incidence of crime.

In evaluating a prospective unit for suitability, The Marietta Housing Authority looks at the condition of the unit itself, but also the condition of the property site and the quality of the larger neighborhood. Our goal is to ensure that every Housing Choice family enjoys full access to educational and employment opportunities in a healthy community that promotes good citizenship and cooperative living.

Please note that the following is only a general checklist of requirements. All City, County and State codes must be followed. The Marietta Housing Authority will cite, require correction, and act upon observable conditions of mold, and The Marietta Housing Authority may reject units with lead, asbestos or handicapped accessibility issues. Click here to request more information about property inspections.

Building Exterior

• Roof, gutter, fascia, and foundation wall are all structurally sound and weather tight.
• Walls are free of peeling paint and graffiti.
• Windows work properly, are weather tight and lockable.
• All exterior windows designed to open have screens and those screens are maintained by the landlord.
• Porches have guardrails in accordance with building codes.
• Stairs with four or more steps have handrails in accordance with building codes.
• Exterior and shared basement doors have locks designed for exterior use and of sufficient quality to support the weight of the door.
• If the building is designed to have gutters it does, and they are clear of debris.

Curbside

• Lawn and storage areas are free of garbage, debris.
• Adequate ground covering, preferably grass, is laid.
• No overgrown vegetation such as weeds or kudzu.
• Lawn and shrubs are properly edged and trimmed on a regular basis.
• Limited soil erosion.
• Fencing, if any, is in good repair and free of graffiti.

Systems

• All utilities are on and operating safely.
• Water heater is properly installed and operating.
• Water heater is equipped with a correct temperature-pressure relief valve according to the manufacturer's specifications, and those specifications are posted near the heater so they can be verified by the inspector. A discharge pipe is installed on the valve within six (6) inches of the ground.
• Plumbing is properly installed, leak-free and vented in accordance with building codes.
• Air conditioning system is properly installed and operational.
• Heating system is properly installed and operational.
• Buildings have properly marked fire exits that meet building codes.
• No exposed wires or open electrical panels.
• Pilot lights on gas stoves are in proper working order.
• All gas appliances have been serviced annually.

Dwelling Unit

• Walls are clean, painted and free from holes, peeling, chipping or loose paint.
• Unit is free of any trash or debris.
• All appliances (e.g., stove, refrigerator) are clean and operable.
• Each bedroom has a minimum ceiling height of seven (7) feet and an area of at least eight (8) x ten (10) feet.
• Each bedroom has at least two electrical outlets or one electrical outlet and an overhead light.
• Each bedroom has a window, and, if designed to be opened, the window operates properly.
• Each bedroom has at least four (4) square feet of closet space, unless tenants can demonstrates that they have adequate dresser and clothing storage units to prevent floor clutter, potential fire and tripping hazards.
• Stairs with four or more steps have handrails in accordance with building codes.
• If the unit has two (2) or more bedrooms, the floor plan permits access to the bathrooms and commonly used rooms without passage through a bedroom.
• Electrical outlets, switches, and light fixtures meet building codes.
• Bathroom doors have functioning locks.
• Doors are installed where required throughout the unit.
• Smoke alarms are installed on each level of the unit and are operational.
• Carbon monoxide detectors are installed in all units with gas appliances.
• Kitchen has at least one (1) fire extinguisher.
• Carpet and rugs are clean and free of stains and tears.
• Security bars, if provided, are a properly installed break-away type.
• Windows and doors are operable and are not blocked, nailed shut or in any other condition that would prevent egress.
• Unit is free of mold and mildew.
• No propane, natural or methane gas odor is detectable.
• No sewer odor is detectable.
• No evidence of insect or vermin presence.

*The Marietta Housing Authority adheres to the Code of Federal Regulations at Title 24 Part 982 Sections 404, 405 and 406; applicable HUD Handbooks; Housing Inspections Manual H-605 and HUD supplements in order to determine, enforce, and monitor the acceptable criteria for HQS. HQS will take precedence over State and/or local housing codes unless State and/or local codes, or The Marietta Housing Authority-established requirements, are more restrictive. In those cases, The Marietta Housing Authority will adhere to the more stringent State and/or local housing codes and The Marietta Housing Authority-established requirements.

INITIAL RENTS
  
Whenever a new unit is listed with Housing Choice, the landlord's first question is: How much is the rent going to be?

We would like to bring new units into the program at the landlord's requested rental rate. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. In negotiating rental rates, the Housing Choice Programs Rent Specialist must consider the following factors:

• The Fair Market Rent (FMR)
• Number of bedrooms
• Utilities and other services paid by the tenant
• Rent Reasonableness

SELECTING RENTERS FOR YOUR PROPERTY
 
Many new real estate investors underestimate the importance of screening applicants. Finding the right renters for your property will be key to your success as a landlord.

The Marietta Housing Authority conducts criminal background checks on Housing Choice families, but otherwise screening and selection are entirely the landlord's responsibility. In fact, the Marietta Housing Authority is prohibited by law from screening or steering Housing Choice families.

The screening and selection criteria a landlord uses must comply with all fair housing laws. Several options are open to landlords:

1. Contact former landlords to inquire about applicants' payment and housekeeping history.
2. Contact utility companies for applicants' payment history
3. Ask applicants for employment references to verify sources of income.
4. Ask applicants for any history of evictions.
5. Ask applicants about any drug-related or criminal activity.
6. Ask to meet applicants at their current residence to see first hand how they maintain their homes.

Please see the attached landlord packet that must be completed in its’ entirety. The following items must be included in the return packet:

1. Voided Check (Starter checks are not accepted)
2. Recorded Warranty Deed
3. W-9
4. IRS Documentation denoting the Tax Identification Number
5. Picture ID
6. Email address
7. Contact Number

Should you have any additional questions please contact Willieyour Arnold.

Willieyour Arnold
Financial Data Analyst
770-419-5145 (Direct)
770-419-2949 (Fax)
warnold@mariettahousingauthority.org
www.mariettahousingauthority.org