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RENTER FAQ

General Rent Assistances Questions

You should submit an application for rent assistance as soon as you know you might not be able to pay rent. Click here to find a rent assistance provider that’s right for you.

Beginning in October 2023, some rental assistance providers will prioritize the most vulnerable applications for the limited funding that remains; these groups may prioritize funding for households that are already rent delinquent. An eviction filing is not required for this priority review.

No. Many rent assistance providers are all distributing the same resources from Congress, so most eligibility requirements are the same. You only need to apply to one organization to get the help you need. If the rent assistance provider you are working with is unable to help, they will help refer you to other places for more assistance. Submitting multiple applications for the same address or same person is a red flag and may trigger a higher level of review to ensure it was not the result of identity theft or fraud.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are gone, which is expected to occur in late 2023 or early 2024. Applying early is the best way to make sure there are enough resources left to get the help you need.

Rent assistance funds are almost always provided directly to the landlord. In rare cases, if the landlord does not agree to accept funding, the rent assistance provider can work with you to figure out a different plan. Some Central Ohio cities have adopted “Pay to Stay”, “Third Party Pay”, or “Source of Income” laws that limit a landlord’s ability to refuse rental payments; an attorney can advise on whether these laws are able to assist you.

No. This is not a loan to be repaid. This assistance is provided as a grant.

No. There are many different rent relief programs in Franklin County and not all of them last 18 months. Also, most rent relief programs end when the household no longer needs assistance so that these limited resources can be used to help a more vulnerable family. For most rent relief providers, you will be required to recertify that you still meet eligibility requirements every 1 - 3 months to continue receiving assistance.

Questions on Documents & How to Fill Out a Rent Assistance Application

Yes. If you need help submitting an application, click here to search for a rent assistance provider that accepts telephone or in-person applications and can help you submit an application. Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio is also available to help tenants fill out and submit a rent assistance application.

Yes, the Rentful website will be available in English, Spanish, and Somali. You can also find a rent assistance provider that offers services in other languages, all providers who offer an alternative to English can be found here. Many rent assistance providers also offer interpretation services for languages that are not listed.

Yes, you can find a rent assistance provider that accepts applications through telephone or in-person meetings.

Most applications can be completed in one meeting if you have all information available. This document contains tips and tricks to speed up your application.

If you submit all required documents and there are no problems with the application (like conflicting information) it can be conditionally approved in as little as one day. After that, the administrator needs to contact your landlord and finish the process. If your landlord responds quickly and cooperates with the process, this can also move quickly. 

Your rent assistance provider will let you know if you are approved. Please provide an email address that you check regularly, and monitor your spam filter to ensure you do not miss notifications.

No. To qualify for rent assistance, you will be required to self-certify the amount of income you receive. In some cases, you may be required to share income documentation with a rent assistance provider, but you will not be asked to share it with your landlord. However, your landlord may request information or documents outside the rent assistance program.

In many cases, if documents are not immediately available, your rent assistance provider will allow you to “self-certify” that you are eligible by signing a form promising to tell the truth. These rules have changed recently, so if you applied before but were denied because you did not have the right documents, you may want to contact your rent assistance provider and try again.

Questions on Rent Assistance Eligibility

Not always. If you struggling to pay your bills, you do not necessarily need to wait to fall behind before applying for help. Submitting an application early is the best way to save your home. 

Beginning in October 2023, some rental assistance providers will prioritize the most vulnerable applications for the limited funding that remains; these groups may prioritize funding for households that are already rent delinquent. An eviction filing is not required for this priority review.

Yes, but only for arrears accrued on or after March 13, 2020, when a national state of emergency was declared.

Yes, you may still be eligible. Most rent assistance programs can help for 15-18 months. For the fastest application, you should return to the same rent assistance provider you visited before.

Yes, you may still be eligible for rent assistance, provided you notify your rental assistance provider and do not get help for the same costs that were already paid by someone else. If your income has changed, you might qualify for lower rent; if your rent adjusts when your income changes, you should notify your subsidy-provider that your income changed.

Yes, you may still be eligible. Most rent assistance programs can pay for both lot rent and mobile home rent. If you own your home, contact Save the Dream Ohio.

Yes, you may still be eligible. If you have a written sublease agreement, provide it to your rent assistance provider. If you do not have a sublease, fill out this form (this form was created for people in West Virginia, but it is accepted by most Central Ohio rent assistance providers). You may also be asked to provide other evidence that you rent the apartment, like a statement from your sublessor or landlord or a utility bill in your name at the apartment. 

Yes, you may still be eligible. You cannot currently have a mortgage, a deed, or have exercised your right to purchase yet. If you are a homeowner, contact Save the Dream Ohio.

Yes, you may still be eligible. Citizenship and immigration status is not required for the rent assistance application. You will need to provide documents establishing your identity, but this does not need to be a government-issued identity card. 

No. You will be asked to verify your identity, but there are many ways to do this including through a lease agreement, driver’s license, bank statement, medical or utility bill, passport, voter registration card, benefit statement, written verification from a caseworker, and more.

You should contact a rent assistance provider to receive a customized eligibility decision that considers the unique needs of your household.

Utility Assistance Questions

Yes. Most rent assistance providers can also help with past-due utility bills, you can find a list of those groups here. The City of Columbus also provides income-based discount programs for those who meet the requirements and payment arrangements. More resources are also available online at LSS 211 Central Ohio.

Questions on Other Ways to Get Help & What to do if you Might Not Qualify

The first step is to discuss with your landlord and see if a resolution is possible. If the landlord refuses to accept rent assistance directly from the rent assistance provider, you may be able to receive the funds directly to pay the landlord. Some Central Ohio cities have adopted “Pay to Stay”, “Third Party Pay”, or “Source of Income” laws that limit a landlord’s ability to refuse rental payments; an attorney can advise on whether these laws are able to assist you. You and your rent assistance provider can also discuss move-out supports to help you avoid eviction or homelessness.

All the resources on Rentful are customized for Franklin County residents. If you live elsewhere in Ohio, you can find an emergency rental assistance provider in your area by visiting the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio’s website and you can find legal help avoiding eviction from Ohio Legal Help. If you live outside Ohio, you can find rental assistance providers on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.

You can find a list of Rentful’s rent assistance providers that can also help locate affordable housing or provide housing counseling by clicking here. The Ohio Housing Locator is a free, statewide service that lists Ohio rental housing, including units that are affordable, accessible, serve seniors, lead safe, and more.

You can learn more about Central Ohio’s need for more affordable housing by visiting the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio’s website.

You can call the homeless hotline 24-hours a day at 1-614-274-7000. The Community Shelter Board provides this Community Guide for People Facing Homelessness and the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless provides a Street Card to share with families that are currently homeless. A list of warming stations is also available online.

People experiencing homelessness, including those who are couch-surfing or doubled-up, may be eligible for rent assistance to cover prospective relocation assistance, rent, and utility or home energy costs after an eviction. You should contact a rent assistance provider to receive a customized eligibility decision that considers your unique circumstances.

The eligibility rules for rent assistance are very broad and have changed frequently since the program began. Be sure you apply for rent assistance and receive an eligibility decision. Even if your household does not qualify for rent assistance, there are other ways to avoid eviction, including negotiating an agreement with your landlord to repay back rent or agreeing to a move-out plan. You should contact a lawyer or a housing counselor to learn more about your rights and resources. You can find this help by visiting our Resources page.

Rentful is for tenants and landlords. If you need help paying your mortgage, visit Save the Dream Ohio. Homeowners with gross annual incomes less than 150% of the household area median income who experienced a financial hardship due to a material reduction in income or a material increase in living expenses after January 21, 2020, may be eligible to apply for Save the Dream Ohio.

You can search rent assistance providers to find which organizations also can help with business or workforce development. You can also visit Ohio Means Jobs Columbus-Franklin County. To find a job supporting affordable housing efforts, view the job board from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. For training and other worker supports, visit the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio.

Questions about Eviction and Court Dates

No. The eviction moratorium expired in 2021. 

No. Mistakes happen and evictions can be granted even if you are not behind on your rent. If your eviction is not dismissed, you must still attend your court date.