the complexities of government
subsidy programs.
Landlords may continue their normal
screening criteria, as long as policies are
fair, nondiscriminatory and consistently
enforced. For example:
• If a Landlord requires a credit score
above 620, the Landlord may deny
candidate who do not meet this
threshold.
• If a Landlord does not rent to anyone
with a possession judgment (eviction
order) within the last three years, the
Landlord may deny candidates who
have a recent possession judgment on
record.
•
If a Landlord does not rent to anyone
with a violent or
sex-related felony conviction in the
past five years, the Landlord may
deny candidates who do not meet
this threshold.
www.aamdhq.org
• If a Landlord does not rent to
anyone who is a lifetime registered
sex offender, the Landlord may
deny candidates who are lifetime
registered sex offenders.
• If a Landlord does not rent to
anyone with negative rental history
in the past three years,
the Landlord may deny candidates
who do not meet this minimum
threshold.
• A Landlord may deny candidates
who do not qualify to live in a unit
at the Landlord’s price point.
• If a Landlord requires all approved
applicants to pay the deposit in
full, before the unit is taken off the
market, the Landlord may require
this of its Section 8 applicants
as well.
There is a split opinion on whether
Landlords may continue to require
three times monthly income for
Section 8 voucher holders. Most experts
recommend that Landlords require
an applicant to make three times “the
tenant’s portion” of the monthly rent.
DAMAGES AFTER MOVE OUT
The Colorado Coalition for the
Homeless (“CCH”) has a program whereby
a Landlord may apply for reimbursement of
damages after a CCH tenant moves. Many
other housing authorities offered these
reimbursement programs in the past, but
many have been discontinued for budgetary
reasons. The Denver Council is currently
considering a Reserve Fund for Landlords
who have been harmed by Section 8 tenants
or DHA delays.
For more information, please contact
Deborah Wilson at [email protected]
or visit AAMD's new "Source of Income
Ordinance" class, held by Deborah on
February 5 (see page14 for more details).
JANUARY 2019 TRENDS | 43