Feature

The Risk of the Incomplete Lease

January 29, 2020    
Leases that don't have the required attachments will raise red flags for auditors.
Dos & Don'ts

Get HUD Approval for Lease Modifications

January 29, 2020    
In this month’s feature, The Risk of the Incomplete Lease, we told you what documents HUD requires you to attach to your leases. But can you make other modifications to a HUD model lease?
Compliance

HUD Addresses Noncompliance with Lead Safe Housing Rule

January 29, 2020    
A few months ago, HUD and its Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report identifying the top management challenges facing the Department in 2020 and beyond. One of the broad categories identified was ensuring the availability of affordable housing that’s decent, safe, sanitary, and in...
Income Calculations

Keep 2020 Mileage Rates in Mind When Deducting Medical Expenses

January 29, 2020    
Some of your households may have unreimbursed medical expenses that include travel expenses to and from treatment. And if any of these households are classified as elderly or disabled, HUD permits a medical expense deduction to be used to calculate their adjusted annual income. So be sure these...
Compliance

New Resident Engagement Initiative Added to NSPIRE Demonstration

January 29, 2020    
HUD is in the process of overhauling its Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) physical inspection protocol. Last year, HUD drastically reduced the notice it would give managers of public and subsidized rental housing before REAC inspections to 14 calendar days. And HUD will eventually replace REAC...
HUD Audits

PHA Didn't Follow Proper Procurement Procedures

January 29, 2020    
Catalyst: An anonymous caller contacted HUD’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) complaint hotline claiming that the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority improperly awarded an Internet services contract for more than $200,000 without receiving competitive bids. Findings:...
Feature

How to Execute a Repayment Agreement Properly

December 13, 2019    
HUD expects owners to enforce program requirements set forth in the HUD Handbook and the HUD model lease. In fact, HUD requires owners to investigate and research discrepancies and possible errors to promote income and rent integrity [HUD Handbook 4350.3, par. 8-18(A)]. Likewise, HUD expects...
Related Tools: Use Repayment Agreement to Correct Resident's Underreported or Unreported Income
Q & A

Is Resident Association’s Fundraising for Resident Activities Permitted?

December 13, 2019    
  Q Our site has a “mini-mart”: A resident association buys snack foods at a retail warehouse club and resells them in a room provided by the owner. The profits are used to fund resident activities. Is this permitted?
Recent Court Rulings

Owner May Be Liable for Resident-on-Resident Racial Harassment

December 13, 2019    
Facts: A few months after a resident moved into his apartment, his next-door neighbor began a relentless campaign of racial harassment, abuse, and threats. From the start of his neighbor’s several-month campaign of harassment, the resident, “fear[ing] for his personal safety,”...
Feature

How to Handle Online Assistance Animal Certifications for Reasonable Accommodations

November 22, 2019    
Recently, HUD’s focus has been directed to certain websites that may be selling assistance animal verifications. HUD Secretary Ben Carson has written to Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Joseph J. Simons and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith...
Related Tools: Use Forms to Verify Resident's Need for Assistance Animal
See all latest stories