- Glossary
- /Section 8
NYC rental glossary
Section 8
A federal rental-subsidy program (the Housing Choice Voucher) that pays part of a low-income tenant’s rent directly to the landlord.
Section 8 is the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. An eligible low-income household pays roughly a fixed share of its income toward rent, and the administering housing authority pays the balance — up to a payment standard — directly to the landlord. The voucher can be tenant-based (it moves with the family) or attached to a specific building.
In New York City, source-of-income discrimination is illegal: a landlord may not refuse to rent to, or advertise against, a tenant because they would pay with a voucher or other lawful subsidy. That makes "no programs" or "no vouchers" language a fair-housing violation, not a preference.
For a brokerage, Section 8 means part of the rent is paid by a public agency on its own schedule, and the listing and screening process must treat the voucher as lawful income.
Related terms
- CityFHEPSA NYC rental-assistance voucher that helps households experiencing or at risk of homelessness pay rent.
- Mitchell-LamaA state/city affordable-housing program creating limited-equity, income-restricted middle-income developments.
- Warranty of HabitabilityA non-waivable promise, implied in every NYC residential lease, that the apartment is fit to live in.
- Broker FeeThe commission paid to a rental broker — now, under the FARE Act, owed by the party who hired the broker.
This definition is general information about a New York City rental or rent-regulation concept, not legal advice. The rules change and often turn on facts specific to a building, unit, and tenancy — confirm the current rule and consult a qualified attorney before acting on any individual matter.