Section 8
A federal program where local housing authorities pay part of a qualified tenant's rent directly to the landlord. Properties must pass inspection, and some places bar refusing tenants for using vouchers.
Also called: Housing Choice Voucher, HCV, housing voucher
Related terms
A person or business that rents a property from a landlord under a lease.
The owner who rents a property to a tenant. Landlords must follow fair housing law and state and local landlord-tenant rules.
Federal law that bans housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. Many states add more protected classes.
Real estate bought to rent to tenants for income rather than to live in. Lenders, insurers and tax rules treat it differently from a primary residence.