Help - Voucher tenants in marital dispute

[Heather Canoles]

Ugh. This property is cursed. 

Married couple. Voucher is in husband's name. They had some kind of dispute. Husband went to jail for a few days and now wife has a restraining order against him or something so he isn't living in house.

Husband is now saying he is pulling his voucher. Wife would be on the hook for rent, which she definitely cannot afford. 

I don't see how they can legally pull the voucher. We have a signed lease. Of course this comes up at 5pm on a holiday weekend. 

Anyone ever have a situation like this? Or know anything about the county trying to cancel the voucher mid-lease. This is in Baltimore County. 

[Jennifer Donley]

@Heather Canoles, your lease is with the tenants and the HAP contract is an addendum. The tenants are responsible for the rent ultimately.

Even though the voucher is in the husband's name, the wife should be listed on the HAP contract as a resident.  I would recommend contacting the man's caseworker to get clarity from the Housing Authority on what will happen and what they recommend.

If it turns out the husband's not coming back, then at least you know the facts and can make the best decision possible for you.  If it were me and the wife is going to be left at the house unable to pay rent, I would work with her to get her out, as politely and professionally as possible.

I only take Section 8 and I've never had this specific situation happen - do you mind to keep me/us updated so we can learn as a community?