Section 8 Rent Estimator guide
This tool provides a preliminary comparison of proposed rent, an entered payment standard and utility allowance. It does not determine the rent a housing authority will approve.
Payment standard is not guaranteed rent
A payment standard is generally used in subsidy and affordability calculations. The approved contract rent can also depend on bedroom size, utility responsibility, rent reasonableness, unit condition, household circumstances and housing-authority procedures.
Understand gross rent
For voucher analysis, gross rent commonly combines contract rent with the applicable tenant-paid utility allowance. Enter the correct utility allowance for the unit and utility configuration rather than using a generic amount.
Verify with the responsible housing authority
Payment standards and utility allowances can change. Confirm the current documents, jurisdiction and bedroom size with the housing authority handling the voucher before quoting rent or signing program paperwork.