The Rural Housing Service has finalized several protections mandated by the Biden Administration. A final rule has been published in the Federal Register (Volume 89, No. 58, March 25, 2024) requiring landlords of Rural Housing assisted properties to issue a 30-day written notice to tenants before lease termination or eviction.
These 30-day notices must include instructions on how tenants can resolve lease violations and avoid eviction. It must also include information on RD resources that can help tenants stay in their homes.
In addition to the final rule, RD has also finalized and released “Tenant Grievance Procedures – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” and a “Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Brochure.”
The Grievance Procedure FAQ helps ensure renters and applicants know their existing rights and protections under the grievance process. The document provides tenants with an overview of the grievance process.
The Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Brochure covers tenant responsibilities to the property, fellow tenants, the owner, and property management. It includes a list of helpful online resources and highlights tenant rights related to:
- Property Maintenance
- Written & timely notices
- Tenant leases
- Income recertifications
- VAWA provisions
- Nondiscriminatory treatment
- The right to file a grievance or complaint
Landlords should attach a copy of the Grievance Procedure FAQ as an addendum to their posted grievance process in all common areas visible to residents and visitors.
The Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Brochure must be placed in common areas visible to residents and visitors at RD multifamily housing properties.
Both documents must be provided at the time of application, lease signing, or move-in. Managers should note that these documents do not have to be provided at all three points in time—only at one of them.
If not done already, owners and managers of Rural Development multifamily properties should review the Federal Register final rule and obtain and distribute copies of the FAQ and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Brochure.