Housing Voucher Programs - Policy and Procedures Manual

Chapter VII Sections

1. Survey Requirements
2. Survey Documentation Requirements
3. Potential Survey Sources
4. Survey Selection
5. Elite/Rent Reasonableness Certificate
6. SEMAP and File Reviews
7. Applicable Forms Listing

Exhibits

• Exhibit A

Chapter VII: Rent Reasonableness/Surveys

Section D: Survey Selection

• Each selected survey must be the same unit type, same unit size, and be located in the same Survey Area and within close proximity to the subject unit. The selection for surveys should be made first by municipality and neighborhood, secondly by county, and finally by MSHDA Survey Area (Exhibit A).
• The point value of the survey unit that has a point value of 5 points greater or 5 points less than the point value of the subject unit is/are acceptable provided that the gross rent of the survey(s) are greater than or equal to the gross rent of the subject unit . For example: The point value for the subject unit equals 12. The point value for each survey must equal from 7 to 17 points.
• The Reasonable Rent Test Evaluation (MSHDA 28138) may be used as a tool to calculate rent reasonableness if desired.
• Amenities of units are entered on Elite under Unit Entry, features, scoring. The appropriate amenities would be selected on the screen. The Rental Unit Information form (MSHDA 51b) may be a useful tool in ensuring all amenities are selected.
• If few units for the selected location can be found, the survey area may be expanded beyond the neighborhood, but in only rare circumstances would the survey area extend outside the county.