VPLC's
Virginia Poverty Law Center

Understanding a Notice of Immediate Termination from Subsidized Housing

If your landlord thinks you broke the law at the property, they might give you a letter telling you to move out immediately. This is a serious notice that ends your lease and starts the eviction process right away.

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.
Hearing:
Any date and time scheduled for the landlord and tenant to come to court and see the judge.
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.
Termination:
Cancelling or ending a lease.

What is the notice called?

This type of notice does not have a legal name. It might be called:

  • Notice of Immediate Termination
  • Immediate Notice to Quit

What does it mean?

It means that the landlord has ended your lease and they can start an eviction case in court right away.

What’s in the notice?

This notice has three main pieces of information:

  1. The date the landlord gives you the notice.
  2. A description of what your landlord thinks you did that lets them end the lease.
    • A crime or something else you did on purpose that threatens health or safety.
  3. A statement that they are “terminating” or canceling your lease and you must 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 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 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 if they end your lease right away, your landlord can’t just force you out. They have to 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 notice from your landlord.

You should contact Legal Aid right away to see if an attorney can advise you.