Lease Negotiator/Inspector Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Revised: July 9, 2002

Revised and retitled from Leased Housing Inspector/Negotiator: April 2005

Definition

Under general direction, inspects housing units to be considered for contract under the Section 8 Program and other leasing programs; negotiates rental leases, annual rent increases, and claims for damages and vacancy loss with landlords; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with landlords and representatives from the real estate industry, and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

General direction is received from the Program Manager level. Provides lead direction to administrative support staff.

Class Characteristics

This is the journey level classification that performs inspections, evaluates and negotiates rents and fees, and schedules and prioritizes work resulting from inspection of Section 8 housing units with direction from housing management staff. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable judgment and initiative in the performance of duties. The Lease Negotiator/Inspector works with tenants, landlords and other staff to solve rent and maintenance related problems. Incumbent may also provide technical information and assistance on property maintenance and building inspections to management personnel.

Example of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Determines daily priorities; schedules and makes appointments for inspections, performs inspections and deals with client /landlord issues.
• Conducts initial inspections of housing units to ascertain that units are safe, decent and sanitary and comply with Housing Quality Standards as provided in program regulations; conducts inspections of new and transferring Section 8 housing units to ensure housing standards of the Section 8 program.
• Upon lease termination, inspects units to assess landlord's claim for damages and vacancy loss and negotiates a settlement as per program regulations.
• Makes recommendations regarding needed repairs on housing units, inspects finished repairs; monitors and follows-up on maintenance and repair work orders for compliance with Housing Quality Standards.
• Prepares detailed unit inspection forms regarding the condition, soundness and general stability of the unit.
• Determines rent reasonableness for current and potential housing; assists in rental market surveys to provide information on current local area rents; maintains records and provides input to and manages database and logs.
• Negotiates rents with property owners based on housing market rents; may determine exceptions and allowances based on approved criteria.
• Maintains records of building and inspection activity and completes related reports.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on the proper settlement terms of claims.
• Interprets and applies program regulations, laws and procedures and assists in the formulation of new procedures based on new laws or desired efficiencies.
• Represents the agency with residents, landlords, clients, property management firms and social agencies and acts as the Housing Authority representative during property investigations of suspected program abuse by clients.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of appraising and negotiating leases of residential property.
• Property and building maintenance and building inspection; local and federal building standards and codes.
• Housing construction and the maintenance and repair of major building systems including plumbing, electrical, and heating.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to the rehabilitation and maintenance of real property, as well as laws and federal regulations of the Section 8 Voucher program with respect to Housing Quality Standards.
• Rental values of houses and apartments in the housing market.

Skill in:

• Conducting inspections of housing units and accurately determine structural soundness, suitability for occupancy and compliance with Housing Quality Standards.
• Establishing reasonableness of rents based on housing market comparables; assembling and presenting housing data from market surveys and preparing reports and maintaining records on a computer system.
• Negotiating tactfully with realtors and property owners on a variety of complex issues.
• Negotiating tactfully with residents, landlords and property management firms on a variety of complex issues and in interpreting and applying program regulations.
• Maintaining cooperative relations with staff, clients and landlords.
• Making accurate appraisals and mathematical computations.
• Interpreting and applying rules, regulations, policies and procedures of various housing programs administered the Agency.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in written form including effective use of negotiating techniques.
• Working collaboratively with local service agencies and Housing Authority management to assure the provision of comprehensive and coordinated services.
• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, facsimile equipment and multi-line telephones.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a high school diploma and two years experience in construction and building maintenance.

License:

Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Must possess a Section 8 Housing Quality Standards Certification.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand for extended periods of time, talk and hear within standard ranges. The employee is required to work outside in inclement weather as needed and with extended periods of driving and sitting; walk, use hands to handle tools or computer controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed in the field, various residential buildings, and normal office setting with moderate noise levels.

Marin Housing Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.