When a family chooses the flat rent, is the utility allowance then subtracted from the flat rent to calculate the rent paid by the family? Or is the rent just the flat rent?
A3: A flat rent is just that – a flat rent. There is no consideration of a utility allowance for a family electing to pay a flat rent. The flat rent must be based on a comparable unit as discussed in Q2/A2. Therefore, when considering comparable costs , the PHA must consider utility costs. Example: if a PHA is using a comparable unit that rents for $400 and the tenant in that unit is expected to pay utilities (that average $50/month), then the PHA should use $450 as the flat rent for if its units assuming its rent includes utilities.
Related Questions
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