How to Read Your Rent Limit Certificate

Owners and managers of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties are required to maintain records demonstrating that rents and tenant incomes comply with the applicable limits. Rent limit certificates are key documents in this compliance process.

What's on a Rent Limit Certificate

A typical rent limit certificate will include: the property name and address, the applicable AMI level (50% or 60%), the fiscal year, the applicable LIHTC maximum gross rents for each bedroom size, and the Area Median Income figure used to calculate those limits.

Using the Certificate

As a property manager, you use the certificate to verify that your current rents do not exceed the maximums. If a rent limit decreases (which can happen if AMI declines), you may need to adjust rents for newly leasing units, though existing tenants typically have their rents protected.