Section 8 Rules on Basement Bedrooms

[Matt Schelberg]

I have Section 8 rentals in two counties in the Baltimore area and I was surprised to learn that the counties have different standards for what counts as a bedroom. I had assumed that HUD issued the guidelines on basement bedrooms, but apparently it is determined by each municipality. Since bedroom count determines Section 8 rent amounts, the lack of a bedroom is costing me $300+/month in lost rent!

One county requires that basements have 2 egress routes to count as a bedroom. Incredibly, stairs to the first floor do NOT qualify as an egress route.  They require an exterior door in the basement and a window well with escape ladder.

Needless to say, it is quite expensive to cut into the foundation and build a window egress window. 

I have spoken with the county's top inspector for Section 8 and he confirmed the rule regarding egress routes. How would I contest this interpretation of the bedroom rules? Are there any HUD guidelines that would supersede county rules on what qualifies as a bedroom?