HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.1.6
Other Utilities and Services (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
The utility allowance schedule must21 also provide allowances for all other utilities and services for which, in the PHA’s locality, the tenant is typically responsible, and which are required for compliance with HQS. For example, if firewood used as a primary heating fuel, or the required annual flushing of a septic tank in an area without public sewers, these would be included on the utility allowance schedule.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.1.6, a Public Housing Authority's utility allowance schedule must cover not just standard utilities but also any other services or utilities that tenants in that locality are typically responsible for paying and that are necessary to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The provision uses firewood for primary heat and annual septic tank flushing as illustrative examples of the kinds of locally common, HQS-required costs that must be included. The rule ensures that the allowance schedule reflects the full realistic range of utility and service costs a voucher household may face.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program should be aware that under § 3.1.6, the applicable PHA's utility allowance schedule is designed to account for locally typical tenant-paid utilities and services beyond conventional ones. Operators whose units rely on non-standard utility sources—such as firewood for primary heat or septic systems requiring periodic maintenance—should confirm with the PHA that those costs are reflected in the schedule. Keeping documentation of what utilities and services tenants are responsible for under the lease can help facilitate accurate allowance determinations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 3.1.6, voucher holders have a basis to expect that their PHA's utility allowance schedule accounts for all locally typical, HQS-required utilities and services they are responsible for—not just electricity or gas, but also items like firewood or septic maintenance where applicable. If a tenant believes a necessary utility or service has been omitted from the schedule, they may raise this concern directly with their PHA or contact a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on how to request a review. Tenants can also reach out to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for information about how utility allowance schedules are supposed to be structured.
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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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