Welcome Public Housing Tenants!

Your rent is due the first day of each month, however it is not considered late until after the 5th day of the month.  If the 5th falls on the weekend or holiday, your rent will be due the first working day following the 5th. 

If you do not pay your rent by the close of business on the 5th, or other approved extension as noted above, you will be charged with a late point.  Tenants who accumulate three late points within a consecutive 12 month period will automatically have their lease terminated for chronic late rent payment.  Late rent payment is a lease violation, and three violations in a year is considered a repeated and serious violation.

There are a variety of ways to pay your rent.  

1. We strongly encourage you to sign up for automatic payment from your bank account.  Your rent will automatically be withdrawn from your account on the 5th day of each month.
2. Another option is to pay with a check, money order, or cash. You can mail your rent in the form of check or money order to NIRHA, 202 1st Street SE, Ste. 203, Mason City, IA  50401 or you can deliver your payment in check, money order, or cash in person to the office. Do not send cash through the mail!
3. You can also pay online through our credit card system. 

Yes.  Approximately three months before your anniversary date, you will receive a letter requesting you to fill out another set of forms and schedule an appointment to review the information.  Staff will verify your income and allowable deductions to determine if your rent needs to be adjusted based on your current information. 

Yes.  Your rent can be adjusted any time your income, allowable deductions or family size changes.  All changes that occur during the year are to be reported to your Housing Specialist within 10 days. 

If you knowingly give us false or incomplete information or answers to questions about your income, family size or other similar matters, NIRHA may seek eviction, collect back charges, or even pursue fraud charges. The information you provide must be truthful and accurate and be kept up to date at all times. Remember, the NIRHA will verify all of your income with your employers. Be sure to report all changes of income or family size to your Housing Specialist within ten days.

If something needs to be fixed, don't wait! Report the problem by calling the office and requesting a work order at 641-423-0897 press 1 when the message picks up and then press 2 to leave a message. We will submit the work order to maintenance.

Please call 641-423-0897 press 1 when the message picks up and press 1 again to be connected to someone. NIRHA will send workers immediately in case of a real emergency problem.

Your requests will be recorded and forwarded to the maintenance staff by the next business day if it is not an emergency. Your repairs will be made as soon as possible. Your request for repairs is authorization for maintenance to enter your unit and make necessary repairs unless we are otherwise notified. If you are not home at the time maintenance staff enters your unit, written notification will be left in the unit indicating that maintenance staff were there.

You will not be charged for repairs due to normal wear and tear. You will be charged when you cause damage to your unit or appliances.

No. Please allow our maintenance department to respond. If you do not get an answer or return call within 15 minutes, please call again.

This is an excellent question!  An emergency is defined as a situation that poses an immediate threat to someone's health or safety or will cause a great deal of property damage if not corrected immediately.

Some examples of emergencies are:

• Smell or leaking gas
• Broken/blocked sewer line
• Fallen electrical lines
• Natural disasters like severe hail storm damage, tornado, flooding or potential of flooding, etc.
• Unhealthy drinking water
• Failed heating system
• Hazardous electrical system
• Inoperable smoke detector (it is your responsibility to keep working batteries in the detectors)

If you see this type of problem, call for assistance anytime, day or night.

The Housing Authority expects you to keep a clean and orderly home. Good housekeeping not only enhances your homes appearance but also helps prevent fires and keeps insects and other pests away. Some examples of good housekeeping include:

• Cleaning grease and spilled food or drinks from your oven, countertops and floors immediately after the incident occurs.
• Keeping your floors, windows, counters, and cabinets clean at all times.
• Keeping the inside and outside of your refrigerator clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth. Also, remember to throw out outdated food items.
• Scrub your tub(s), shower(s), and toilet(s) regularly to ensure that they remain clean and sanitary.
• Throw away your kitchen garbage and other household trash daily.
• Keep yard free of garbage.

If your home is dirty, cluttered or otherwise poorly attended, you will be warned and expected to correct the problem immediately. You may also be required to attend special classes to enforce better housekeeping habits. If the problem is not corrected or continues, you may be evicted under the terms of your lease agreement for failure to maintain your unit.

If it is necessary to call an exterminator because your housekeeping is the apparent cause of infestation for flies, roaches, mice, etc. you will be responsible for the cost of the service.

Pets are allowed on a very limited basis. Please call the office for more information.

You need to contact our office before getting a pet. You need to complete a pet permit, assign an alternate pet custodian, and pay the pet deposit.

When residents fail to pay rent, destroy Housing Authority property, or violate other terms of their lease agreement, the Housing Authority may seek eviction. There are two types of eviction; a serious lease violation and nonpayment of rent.

Some examples include:

• Failure to report changes in income or family size accurately and timely
• Destruction of Housing Authority property
• Poor housekeeping
• Fighting, or threatening the health or general well-being of other residents and staff

The Housing Authority will evict any resident who engages in illegal drug use or drug related criminal activity. Residents can also be evicted for alcohol abuse if it adversely affects their neighbors.

You are welcome to add personal touches to your home; however certain permanent or damaging changes cannot and will not be tolerated. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding this matter. 

•  You may put up curtains and use throw rugs
• Hang pictures and other decorative items
• Decorate with removable materials and fasteners that do not cause serious or permanent damage to any walls, floors, doors, cabinets etc.
• Use removable strips to attach rugs or carpet to the floors
• Permanent floor coverings such as vinyl, carpet or tile are strictly prohibited
• Ceiling hooks are not allowed for any reason

• Painting is only allowed when completed by housing staff or authorized contractor
•  Wallpaper is not allowed

I certify that the information provided to the North Iowa Regional Housing Authority (NIRHA) regarding household composition, income, net family assets, allowances, and deductions is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I certify that no person(s), other than those listed on my application, can stay/live/reside with me in my housing unit more than 30 cumulative days per twelve month period without prior notice to NIRHA. Cumulative includes total days of all guests. I understand that failure to report changes in my household to NIRHA will result in termination of my housing assistance and could result in theft or fraud charges under state and federal law.

I understand that my address cannot be used by anyone who is not listed on my lease.

If there is a change in the household composition, an interim reexamination may be required.

I understand that I must report all increases in household income within ten (10) working days of occurrence. This includes any changes in wages, hours worked, starting or stopping date of job, or changes in other income such as unemployment, child support, Social Security, pensions, gifts, inheritances, etc.

If my gross income decreases or my expenses (medical, childcare, and/or handicap assistance) increase, NIRHA will recalculate my income to determine if my rent portion will decrease.

I also understand that I am required to report all changes to my application from the time it is submitted to NIRHA until the effective date of my reexamination or admission. Example: I have an interview with NIRHA on August 26, but my reexamination is effective December 1. Any changes that occur between August 26 and November 30 MUST be reported.

I understand my lease can be terminated if I fail to report any changes in income on any application.

I understand that I am required to give NIRHA a proper notice of my plans to move. Proper means one month plus one day. 

Example: If you want to move June 30, notice must be received by May 31.

I understand that NIRHA will inspect my unit yearly and I may be present for the inspection. If I (or any other family representative over age 18) cannot be present, I authorize NIRHA staff to enter the unit and conduct the inspection.

I understand that I cannot be absent from the unit for more than 30 cumulative calendar days in a twelve month period. I understand the assisted unit must be the family’s only residence.

I understand that I must notify NIRHA of any extended absence from the unit for any household member. An extended period is defined as any period greater than 10 calendar days. Written notice must be provided to the PHA within 10 business days of the start of the extended absence.

I certify that the unit will be my only principal residence and I will not obtain duplicate federal housing assistance while I am on the program.

I understand that I must not engage in, nor be convicted of any drug related or violent criminal activity, or commit bribery, fraud, or another corrupt or criminal act regarding any federal housing program during participation or five years prior to admission to the public housing program.

I will be terminated and banned from receiving assistance for five years from the time of conviction if I am convicted of committing any of the following while I am living in a public housing unit: drug related or violent criminal activity; bribery, fraud, or another corrupt or criminal act regarding any federal housing program. 

If I am required to register as a sexual offender and/or have been convicted of producing or manufacturing methamphetamines or the precursors of methamphetamines, I will be banned for life from receiving rental assistance.

I understand I am required to cooperate in supplying all information needed to determine my eligibility, level of benefits, and true circumstances. Cooperation includes attending scheduled appointments; completing and signing needed forms; and disclosing and verifying the Social Security Numbers for all family members. I authorize NIRHA to request/obtain information from other agencies in conducting possible prohibited actions by my household that would be in violation of proper administration of the program. I further authorize NIRHA to release information to other agencies who may be investigating my household for any illegal or fraudulent activities. I understand failure or refusal to cooperate will result in termination of assistance.

I understand that false statements of information are punishable under federal law. I understand that false statements of information are grounds for termination of housing assistance.