July 4
SHA offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 to observe the Independence Day holiday.
SHA offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 to observe the Independence Day holiday.
Housing Choice Voucher program tenants and landlords each have rights, and are subject to requirements, while participating in the program. Seattle Housing Authority performs specific duties as the administrator of the program. For information on each party’s rights and responsibilities under the Housing Choice Voucher program open the options below.
For comprehensive information and resources on Seattle rental regulations visit the City of Seattle’s Renting in Seattle site and their Renter’s Handbook.
As a tenant, state law grants you the right to a livable dwelling, protection from unlawful discrimination, the right to hold the landlord liable for damage caused by the landlord's negligence, and protection against lockouts and seizure of personal property by the landlord.
You are also entitled to a determination of eligibility based solely on income, household composition, suitability and Seattle Housing Authority rules—without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or familial status.
Landlords have the right to hold tenants responsible for tenant-caused damage to a unit, not including normal wear-and-tear. Tenants may be required to pay for or repair damage they have caused.
Landlords have the right, and the obligation, to select tenants using the same standards they apply to all applicants for their rental units. They may deny voucher-holders who do not meet their standard screening criteria. Under Seattle ordinance, they may not discriminate against voucher-holders simply because they participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Landlords do not have an automatic right to participate in the program. In rare cases they may not be allowed to work with the program because they have breached leases with participating tenants or violated relevant laws or program rules. In most cases, landlords may not rent units to voucher holders who are relatives.
As the local administrator of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Seattle Housing Authority: