From time to time, you may receive requests from households that want—or need—to move to a new unit. For instance, they may need a larger unit, or they may desire a unit on a higher floor, or they may need a ground-floor unit to accommodate a disability. The IRS has made it clear...
Many low-income housing projects have had to deal with community opposition to their site—also known as NIMBYism (“not in my backyard”). It has been a longtime battle for affordable housing proponents, but the current economic crisis may provide the needed leverage for tax...
Last May, a young social worker fell to his death from the 24th-floor balcony of his New York City apartment building after part of the railing gave way. Officials from the city's Department of Buildings (DOB) reported that the balcony's railing was “loose and damaged,” and...
In warmer weather, many residents find it hard to resist the temptation to use their fire escapes for recreation, often filling them with grills, chairs, plants, and the like. But for most sites, dealing with clutter or debris that obscures common areas is an ongoing, rather than seasonal,...
“Don't let the bedbugs bite!” Most of us recognize that line from a popular nursery rhyme. It also may be a reason why many people used to believe that bedbugs were a myth. In fact, the public's resistance to believing that bedbugs are real has been one of the major hurdles...
Security deposits can become a source of conflict between owners and residents. A good rule of thumb with security deposits is to remember that, unlike any other money that you receive from a household, the security deposit remains the resident's money, says Daniel Bancroft, a Boston-area...
QHow can a low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) site owner collect rent that is above the area median income rent when the resident is receiving Section 8 in a tax credit unit?
Social networking is growing at an exponential rate. According to a report by technology and market research firm Forrester Research, 55.6 million U.S. adults visited social networking sites in 2009, double the number of users reported in 2007.
Whether you're developing a new pet policy for your site or you have a strict no-pets rule, keep in mind that animals needed because of a disability are not pets.
Becoming a pet-friendly site can be a great way to increase your pool of prospective residents and keep them longer once you find them. Responsible pet owners generally are also responsible tenants, and they appreciate sites that welcome Fido and Fluffy. In fact, research by FIREPAW, the...
Not meeting the minimum set-aside requirement is a common reason that tax credit sites get cited for noncompliance. It's a mistake that has severe consequences: If your building or site fails to meet the minimum set-aside requirement at the close of the first taxable year of the credit...
No one wants to find out that his tax credit site has been cited for noncompliance, but if your state housing agency has issued the owner a Form 8823, your first reaction may be to panic. Don't.
“It's not the end of the world,” says Barbara Crook, compliance director...
