VPLC's
Virginia Poverty Law Center

Understanding a Lease Non-Renewal Notice for Subsidized Housing

If your landlord doesn't want you to keep living in the place you're renting, they might give you a non-renewal letter. The letter will remind you when your lease ends and ask you to leave by that day.

Page Glossary

Eviction:
When a tenant is physically forced out of the property they were renting. A legal eviction comes after a court case and involves the sheriff's office. It is illegal for a landlord to force out a tenant without going through the court and sheriff's office.
Expiration:
When a lease runs out, like at the end of a year after it was signed.
Hearing:
Any date and time scheduled for the landlord and tenant to come to court and see the judge.
Non-Renewal:
Letting a lease run out and not continuing it.
Notice:
A letter, usually from a landlord, with important information that could affect your ability to stay in your home or face eviction.
Public Housing:
Housing in properties owned by a Public Housing Authority, where residents pay reduced rent based on their income. Residents also have extra protections against eviction.
Subsidized Housing:
Housing provided at reduced cost to residents who meet certain criteria. It generally includes people in public housing that is owned by a housing authority, reduced-rent apartments in Section 8 complexes, rent paid partially with a Housing Choice Voucher, and other government programs. Residents in subsidized housing generally have extra protections against eviction. Properties with Low Income Housing Tax Credits have some extra eviction protections, too, even for residents who don't pay reduced rent.
Vacate:
Moving out of the property and returning the keys to the landlord.

What is the notice called?

This notice does not have a legal name, but it might be called one of these things:

  • Notice of Lease Non-Renewal
  • Notice of Expiration
  • Notice to Vacate

What does it mean?

It means that your landlord wants you to move when your lease runs out. They will not renew the lease.

What’s in the notice?

This notice should have three main pieces of information:

  1. The date your landlord gave you the notice.
  2. A statement that the lease will not be renewed.
  3. The date your lease will end and you should move out.
  4. More information specific to the type of subsidized housing you have:

If you are in PUBLIC HOUSING the notice must also:

  • Tell you the reason why the lease won't be renewed.
  • Tell you that you have a right to respond to the notice.
  • Say you have the right to see the housing authority’s documents related to your case.
  • State if you have the right to request a grievance or informal hearing.
  • Have the name, address, and phone number of the local Legal Aid office on the first page.

If you are in SITE-BASED SECTION 8 HOUSING the notice must also:

  • Tell you the reason why the lease won't be renewed.
  • Tell you that, within 10 days of the notice, you can meet with the landlord to discuss it.
  • Have the phone number and website address of statewide Legal Aid on the first page.

If you have a HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER the notice must also:

  • Have the phone number and website address of statewide Legal Aid on the first page.

Something else:

For ALL PUBLIC OR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING residents, the notice must also come with these two documents:

  1. A “Notice of Occupancy Rights under the Violence Against Women Act” (VAWA).
  2. A certification form you can fill out to claim VAWA protections.

Keep in mind

  • Even after the lease runs out, your landlord can’t just force you out. They must go through the court process and get the sheriff involved. See all the steps in that process.
  • Go to Fight my eviction to learn how you can respond to a landlord’s non-renewal notice.

You may want to talk to a lawyer for specific advice. Contact your local Legal Aid office to see if you qualify for free help.

Take action

Learn what you can do to try to stay in your home and avoid eviction.

Fight my eviction

Sometimes, you can't avoid eviction if your landlord wants you out. But it is always good to learn how the law can protect you and what you can do about your situation.