The role of the owner / landlord in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HUD - Section 8) is to provide decent, safe and affordable housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass the program's Housing Quality Standards and be maintained to those standards as long as the owner / landlord receives housing assistance payments.

In addition, the owner / landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to within the leased signed with the tenant, and the contract signed with the Public Housing Authority (PHA).

The PHA enters into a contract with the owner / landlord to provide housing assistance payments on behalf of the family. If the owner / landlord fails to meet the obligations under the lease, the PHA has the right to terminate assistance payments.

The Winchester Housing Authority will determine if the rent for a unit is within the payment standard for the area and that the rent is reasonable for the community based on the property's physical location, amenities and the Housing Quality Standards inspection report.