Rent and utility payments
KCHA pays rent and utilities up to defined payment standards. Find the standards for your ZIP code, energy assistance supplement rates, and answers to common payment questions below.
About rent and utility payments
KCHA’s payment standards define the highest amount we will pay each month to help a tenant with rent. They are based on current average market rent rates in the King County area.
If a tenant chooses a unit that rents at or below the standard, they pay around 32 percent of their monthly income toward rent and utilities. If a tenant chooses a unit that rents above the standard, they also pay the full amount for rent that exceeds the standard. Tenants may not move into a unit where rent and utilities cost more than 40 percent of their monthly income.
If a tenant pays for utilities, KCHA provides them with a monthly energy assistance supplement. This amount is based on an average utility rate for the King County area. Tenants receive it as a credit to their total monthly payment. They must pay for any utility costs above the supplement amount.
Payment Standards
Our payment standards depend on two factors: the number of bedrooms in the home and where it is located within King County. Use the lookup tool below to see the standards that apply to a given ZIP code. You may also view the full list of payment tiers by ZIP code. These standards are effective as of January 1, 2026.
Payment standards lookup
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|
Energy assistance supplements
KCHA’s energy assistance supplements, formerly called utility allowances, depend on the building type, the electricity provider, and the number of bedrooms. These rates took effect Feb. 1, 2013 and remain in place today.
These rates took effect Nov. 1, 2024 and remain in place today.
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
These rates took effect Nov. 1, 2024 and remain in place today.
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Provider: Seattle City Light
W/S/G Payer: Owner
Swipe left or right to view all the content.
| Bedroom Type | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0/1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,510 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,040 |
Rent and utility payment FAQs
Screen tenants with vouchers the same way you screen other renters. Once you agree to rent to a voucher-holder, all you have to do is fill out a few forms and make sure the unit passes a KCHA inspection. Learn more about the leasing process. To advertise your property to tenants with vouchers, use the listing tools provided by Emphasys Software or AffordableHousing.com.
KCHA’s voucher payment standards define the highest amount we will pay each month to help tenants with rent and utilities. We also give tenants an estimate sheet along with their voucher. This offers a general idea of both their portion and the total contract rent. We determine the actual amount after the property passes inspection.
KCHA normally issues its first payment one to three weeks after the tenant moves in, to allow time for paperwork processing. After that, we issue payments no later than the fifth working day of the month. You can be paid by check or direct deposit.
To sign up for direct deposit, complete the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form. Email S8Landlord@kcha.org to request a copy of the form. Attach a voided check, deposit slip, or bank statement. Mail both items to:
King County Housing Authority
HCV Accounting
600 Andover Park W.
Tukwila, WA 98188
KCHA may still need to mail you important information. Contact the Section 8 office in writing if your mailing address changes.
Tenants pay utilities based on the terms of the lease. As long as the rent is reasonable, the rent amount can be higher if you pay for more of the utilities. Separate meters are required if you wish to have the tenant pay for electric, gas, oil, or propane. Water, sewer, and garbage costs may be split among properties as long as the split is clearly detailed in the lease. Some cities may also require you to pay for certain utilities.
Yes. KCHA also looks at all the features of the unit.
No, KCHA cannot cover unpaid utility bills. However, you should notify us if the tenant has an unpaid balance and has not yet moved out. This allows KCHA to enforce payment from the tenant. Tenants who fail to pay their utility bills face possible termination from the program.
If a tenant can’t pay their rent, provide their KCHA senior housing specialist a copy of any notices served. The specialist can help refer the tenant to other financial options. If the tenant has lost income, they must report the change to KCHA. Once verified, we may lower their portion of the rent. This change can happen as soon as the next month.
Tenants cannot initially move into a unit that costs more than 40 percent of their gross monthly income. If they cannot afford the unit after they move in, KCHA encourages them to move to a more affordable unit to prevent eviction. This most often happens when family members move out over time, and the remaining family needs to find a smaller unit.