Owner May Be Liable for Charging Impermissible Rents

Facts: A group of Section 8 residents claimed that owners improperly charged them for washer and dryer rentals, renter’s insurance, and covered parking. The residents argued that “side payment” for these services constitute impermissible rent under the Section 8 contracts and regulations, and the owners therefore violated the Section 8 contracts and submitted false claims for reimbursement under the federal program.