Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Page | 53 <br /> <br />Lead/subgrantees must establish written policies and procedures describing how landlord verification <br />is conducted. Acceptable methods of verification may include, but are not limited to: <br />✓ Reviewing property ownership records through the county assessor's office . <br />✓ Confirming that the signed lease/rental agreement includes the landlord or property <br />management company’s name and contact information, along with the rental property <br />address. <br />✓ If a property management company is involved, requesting documentation (such as a <br />management agreement) showing the company is authorized to manage the property. <br />✓ Verifying the property management company is registered to do business in the state and is <br />associated with the property. <br />✓ When other verification methods are not available, obtaining a signed attestation from the <br />landlord or property manager affirming they are legally authorized to rent the property and <br />receive payments. <br /> <br />Documentation must be retained in the client file. <br />8.7 Portability <br />Lead/subgrantees cannot terminate assistance if a household chooses to relocate to a jurisdiction <br />outside the grantee's service area. Lead/subgrantees should work with the household to maintain <br />meaningful case management (e.g. phone, home visits, video calls) and continue rental assistance, if <br />applicable, until the household is no longer eligible or declines participation <br />8.8 Dispute Resolution Center Partnerships <br />Lead/subgrantees should work with their local Dispute Resolution Centers (DRC) if one exists within <br />the service area. DRCs can be an essential pathway to collaborate and negotiate for mutual gain to <br />prevent evictions and maintain positive landlord relationships. <br /> <br /> There are many ways to partner with a DRC. The following list is not comprehensive and <br /> grantees should work towards a partnership that makes sense for their community. <br />✓ Embed a release of information in your intake process to be able to communicate <br />with DRC staff. <br />✓ Train DRC staff on Eviction Prevention program eligibility. <br />✓ Receive Eviction Prevention referrals from the DRC. <br />✓ Engage with DRC staff to help resolve communication challenges between landlords <br />and households. <br />✓ Invite DRC staff to participate in rent assistance provider meetings. <br />✓ Partner households with DRC staff to help establish repayment plans when appropriate. <br />8.9 Washington State’s Landlord Mitigation Law <br />Lead/subgrantees providing direct service should refer landlords to the Landlord Mitigation Program <br />when appropriate. Washington State’s Landlord Mitigation Law (RCW 43.31.605) provides landlords <br />with an incentive and added security to work with tenants receiving rental assistance. The program <br />offers up to $1,000 to the landlord in reimbursement for some potentially required move-in upgrades, <br />up to fourteen days’ rent loss and up to $5,000 in qualifying damages caused by a tenant during <br />tenancy. <br /> <br />A move in/move out condition report is required for a landlord to receive reimbursement.