You’ve found a tenant participating in the Chicago Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher program.
Both parties want to move forward, so you complete the Request for Tenancy Approval packet and submit it through the CHA Owner Portal.
The documents have been sent, but the tenant still hasn’t been cleared to move in.
Submitting an RTA packet starts CHA’s review process. It doesn’t mean the property, proposed tenancy, or move-in date has been approved.
What Is an RTA Packet?
RTA stands for Request for Tenancy Approval.
It’s the collection of documents CHA uses when a voucher holder wants to rent a particular unit.
The packet identifies the prospective tenant, property owner, rental unit, and other information needed to evaluate the proposed tenancy.
CHA requires the packet and supporting documents to be complete and accurate before processing can begin.
Missing information can delay the application or result in its denial.
Where to Submit the Packet
Existing HCV property owners can upload RTA packets through the Moves section of the CHA Owner Portal.
The portal also provides tools for tracking moves already in progress.
New property owners who haven’t established a relationship with CHA are instructed to submit their initial documents to the Owner Services Department.
The agency specifies accepted submission methods in its current RTA instructions.
Sending documents through an unrelated channel doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be processed.
Step 1: CHA Reviews the Property Owner
Before approving a new tenancy, CHA evaluates whether the property owner meets program requirements.
The review may involve proof of ownership, applicable business documentation, property taxes, building-code issues, and other eligibility factors.
CHA also considers whether an owner has disqualifying issues, such as certain open housing court cases.
This screening is separate from the owner’s own decision to accept the prospective tenant.
A completed RTA packet doesn’t bypass either responsibility.
Step 2: CHA Evaluates the Proposed Unit
CHA reviews the requested rental terms and determines whether the proposed arrangement meets program requirements.
This includes evaluating comparable properties and the voucher holder’s circumstances.
The agency then communicates its determination to the property owner.
The owner’s original asking terms aren’t automatically approved simply because they were entered in the RTA packet.
Step 3: The Owner Must Accept CHA’s Offer
After CHA issues its offer, the property owner must respond.
CHA’s published RTA timeline states that the owner has two days after receiving the offer to accept it.
Failure to respond within that period can cause the proposed move to be cancelled.
This is an important deadline to monitor.
A packet may have passed earlier review stages but still fail to proceed because the owner hasn’t confirmed acceptance.
Step 4: The Unit Must Pass Inspection
CHA requires an initial inspection before approving the unit for an HCV tenancy.
The inspection evaluates housing conditions, including essential building systems and health and safety requirements.
If deficiencies are found, the owner must correct them.
CHA’s guidance provides a 14-day period for making repairs and arranging a second inspection following an initial failure.
A second failed inspection can result in cancellation of the proposed move.
Don’t Move the Tenant In Too Early
CHA explicitly warns that the tenant must not move in or sign the lease before the required rent-offer acceptance and a passed CHA inspection.
An agreement between the owner and prospective tenant doesn’t replace CHA’s approval process.
Even if the unit is vacant and both parties are ready, wait until the necessary conditions have been satisfied.
Step 5: Final Documents Still Matter
After the inspection and other requirements are satisfied, the owner must complete the remaining tenancy documentation.
This includes the lease, the Housing Assistance Payment contract, and the required lease addendum.
CHA also needs the agreed-upon move-in date.
The agency’s RTA instructions identify these as necessary steps before the family’s move-in.
An approved inspection alone doesn’t mean every document has been completed.
How to Track the Move
The CHA Owner Portal provides a Moves Tracker for reviewing moves in progress.
Use it to follow the status of a submitted RTA rather than assuming that an uploaded packet has already been approved.
If processing appears delayed, determine which stage remains outstanding.
An incomplete owner review requires different attention from a failed inspection or missing final document.
Why Processing Can Take Longer
CHA publishes an estimated timeline for new moves, but it isn’t a guarantee that every application will finish on the same date.
Common reasons for additional processing include incomplete documents, owner eligibility issues, inspection deficiencies, and delays in responding to required requests.
Submitting a complete packet helps reduce avoidable delays, but it doesn’t eliminate the separate review stages.
When to Contact Owner Services
If the move isn’t progressing, identify the specific issue before requesting assistance.
For example:
Portal: CHA HCV Owner Portal
Request: Request for Tenancy Approval
Current status: RTA submitted
Property: Rental unit under review
Issue: No confirmation of the next processing step
Question: Which requirement is currently preventing the proposed move from proceeding?
CHA’s Owner Services Department can help clarify the applicable process.
Submission Is Only the First Milestone
The CHA Portal makes it easier for property owners to submit RTA packets and track proposed moves.
However, CHA must still complete owner screening, review the proposed tenancy, confirm acceptance of its offer, inspect the property, and process the final documents.
If your RTA packet appears in the cha owner portal but the tenant hasn’t been cleared to move, check the Moves Tracker and identify the outstanding stage. An uploaded packet is evidence of submission, not final tenancy approval.