24 C.F.R. § 982.509
§ 982.509 Rent to owner: Effect of rent control. (24 CFR Part 982)
Operative Text
In addition to the rent reasonableness limit under this subpart, the amount of rent to owner also may be subject to rent control limits under State or local law.
Section 982.509 establishes that the rent a landlord may charge under the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is not governed solely by the federal rent reasonableness standard. State or local rent control laws can impose an additional, independent ceiling on that rent. Where both frameworks apply, the rent must comply with each of them simultaneously.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 982.509, operators participating in the HCV program must account for two separate regulatory layers when setting rent: the federal rent reasonableness determination and any applicable state or local rent control ordinance. A compliant operator generally reviews local rent control rules for the jurisdiction where the unit is located before establishing or adjusting the contract rent. Where a local ordinance sets a lower ceiling than the federally approved reasonable rent, the lower figure governs.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 982.509 means that your voucher-assisted unit may be protected by both federal rent reasonableness rules and any state or local rent control law that applies in your area. If a landlord charges rent that exceeds what local rent control permits, that may constitute a violation of local law independent of the HCV program rules. Tenants can explore this issue by contacting their local rent board or housing authority, or by reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with both federal voucher regulations and local rent stabilization laws.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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