HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.1.5
Ranges and Refrigerators (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
If rental units in the PHA’s jurisdiction are typically leased without owner-provided ranges and/or refrigerators, an allowance must20 be made for the cost to the family of providing its own.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.1.5, when rental units in a given public housing authority's area are commonly rented without landlord-supplied ranges and/or refrigerators, the payment standard or utility allowance calculation must account for the cost a family bears to furnish those appliances themselves. This rule ensures that the absence of owner-provided cooking and food-storage equipment does not go unrecognized in the subsidy structure. The provision applies at the local level, meaning the relevant PHA determines whether this condition exists in its jurisdiction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.1.5, operators participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program should be aware that if their units are offered without ranges and/or refrigerators—consistent with local market norms—the PHA is required to factor that into its allowance calculations. Compliant operators typically clearly disclose in their lease and rental listings whether appliances are included, so the PHA can make accurate determinations. Maintaining transparent documentation of what is and is not provided with the unit helps support smooth processing of voucher-assisted tenancies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.1.5 establishes that if you are renting a unit without a landlord-provided range or refrigerator, and that practice is typical in your area, your PHA must include an allowance to help offset the cost of supplying those appliances yourself. Voucher holders in this situation may want to confirm with their local PHA that the appropriate allowance has been applied to their subsidy calculation. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's resources can help explain how to raise a concern with the PHA if you believe the allowance was not correctly applied.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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