#  Termination

## Introduction

### Chapter 8 addresses terminating housing assistance and terminating tenancy. Under program regulations and leases, termination of assistance occurs when a tenant is no longer eligible for subsidy or to enforce HUD program requirements. It results in the loss of subsidy to the tenant. Tenants whose assistance is terminated may remain in the unit, but they must pay the market rent, full contract rent, or 110% of BMIR rent. Owners are authorized to terminate assistance only in limited circumstances and after following required procedures to ensure that tenants have received proper notice and an opportunity to respond. 

### Termination of tenancy is the first step in the eviction process and is often used interchangeably with the term *eviction*. When terminating tenancy, the owner gives the tenant notice to vacate the unit because of a lease violation(s). A tenant who fails to vacate the unit after receiving notice from the owner may face judicial action initiated by the owner to evict the tenant. The owner may only terminate tenancy in limited circumstances as prescribed by HUD regulations and the lease and must follow HUD and state/local procedures.

### Owners are expected to enforce program requirements under the terms of the lease. Similarly, HUD expects tenants to comply with the program requirements as established in the lease. HUD encourages owners to work with tenants and utilize other corrective actions, such as repayment agreements or negotiated settlements, to resolve program/lease issues. Terminations represent only one of the tools available to owners for lease enforcement. Owners and tenants are advised that HUD termination policies and procedures must be followed when initiating a termination, including proper notices and documentation. Owners are also advised that terminations for reasons other than those permitted by HUD are prohibited.

### The chapter is organized into the following four sections:

-   **Section 1: Termination of Assistance** outlines key requirements
    and procedures regarding when and how a tenant's assistance must be
    terminated.

-   **Section 2: Termination of Tenancy by Lessees** discusses the
    tenant's responsibilities when the tenant wishes to terminate
    tenancy.

-   **Section 3: Termination of Tenancy by Owners** outlines allowable
    circumstances for terminating tenancy and the requirements and
    procedures that owners must follow to terminate a tenant's
    residency.

-   **Section 4: Discrepancies, Errors, and Fraud** describes the
    circumstances when owners must investigate discrepancies and
    provides guidelines on how to distinguish tenant errors from fraud.
    It also identifies how to take action (e.g., documenting fraud and
    reimbursing HUD or the tenant).

## Key Terms 

### There are a number of technical terms used in this chapter that have very specific definitions established by federal statute or regulations or by HUD. These terms are listed in Figure 8-1, and their definitions can be found in the Glossary to this handbook. It is important to be familiar with these definitions when reading this chapter.

### The terms "disability" and "persons with disabilities" are used in two contexts -- for civil rights protections, and for program eligibility purposes. Each use has specific definitions.

#### When used in context of protection from discrimination or improving the accessibility of housing, the civil rights-related definitions apply.

#### When used in the context of eligibility under multifamily subsidized housing programs, the program eligibility definitions apply.

**NOTE:** See the Glossary for specific definitions and paragraph 2-23
for an explanation of this difference.

+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| Figure 8-1: Key Terms          |                                    |
+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| -   Adult                      | -   Rural Housing Service (RHS)    |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Eviction                   | -   Tenant                         |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Family                     | -   Tenant with a disability       |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Fraud                      | -   Termination of assistance      |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Increased ability to pay   | -   Termination of tenancy         |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Law enforcement agency     | -   Unauthorized occupant          |
|                                |                                    |
| -   Live-in aide               | -   Unintentional program          |
|                                |     violation                      |
+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+

Section 1: Termination of Assistance

## Key Regulations

This paragraph identifies key regulatory citations pertaining to Section
1: Termination of Assistance. The citations and their topics are listed
below.

### 24 CFR 5.218 (Penalties for failing to disclose and verify social security and employer identification numbers)

### 24 CFR 5.232 (Penalties for failing to sign consent forms)

### 24 CFR part 5, subpart E -- Restrictions on Assistance to Noncitizens

### 24 CFR 5.659 (Family information and verification)

### 24 CFR 247.4 (Termination of tenancy notice procedures applied to the termination of assistance notice)

### 24 CFR 880.603, 881.601, 883.701, 884.218, 886.124, 886.324, 891.410, 891.610, and 891.750 (Selection and admission of assisted tenants/re-examination of family income and composition)

## Applicability

### Termination of assistance is not applicable to Section 202 PRAC and Section 811 PRAC properties.

### An owner's authority to remove or terminate assistance is established by the HUD-required lease provision entitled "Removal of Subsidy."

## Key Requirements: When Assistance Must Be Terminated

An owner must terminate a tenant's assistance in the following
circumstances:

### A tenant fails to provide required information at the time of recertification, including changes in family composition, or changes in income or social security numbers for new family members*.*

### A tenant fails to sign/submit required consent and verification forms (form HUD-9887 and form HUD-9887-A).

-   Form HUD-9887, *Notice and Consent for the Release of Information to
    HUD and to a PHA* permits HUD to obtain wage and claim information
    from State Wage Information Collection Agencies (SWICA), current tax
    information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and wages and
    unemployment compensation information from the Social Security
    Administration (SSA).

-   Form HUD-9887-A, *Applicant's/Tenant's Consent to the Release of
    Information -- Verification by Owners of Information Supplied by
    Individuals Who Apply for Housing Assistance* allows an owner to
    obtain and verify information about income, assets, and allowances
    for items such as child care and medical expenses, which is needed
    to determine the amount of rent a tenant must pay.

### An annual or interim recertification determines that the tenant has an increased ability to pay the full contract rent. 

### A tenant fails to move to a different-sized unit within [30 days]{.underline} after the owner notifies him/her that the unit of the required size is available. If the tenant remains in the same unit, the tenant must pay the market rent, full contract rent, or 110% of the BMIR rent, as required by the HUD lease*.*

**NOTE:** When assistance is terminated for a tenant with more than one
form of subsidy, the tenant must pay the market rent, full contract
rent, or 110% of BMIR rent. For example, if a tenant resides in a
Section 236 property and receives Section 8 assistance, the tenant would
pay rent based on the Section 236 rent formula if his or her assistance
were terminated.

### A tenant has begun receiving assistance, but the owner is unable to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status [for any]{.underline} family members from the information provided by the tenant and determines that the tenant does not meet the citizenship requirement. (See Chapters 3, 4, and 7 for other citizenship and eligible immigration status requirements. Restriction on assistance to noncitizens is addressed in paragraph 3-12, denial of assistance is addressed in paragraph 4-31, and changes in status are addressed in paragraph 7-11.)

The process for owners to verify and establish a tenant's eligible
immigration status can be lengthy. Sometimes a tenant begins receiving
assistance before the owner establishes citizenship or eligible
immigration status; this happens when the owner encounters delays in
verifying the information provided by the tenant. If the owner then
determines that the tenant does not meet the requirement for citizenship
or eligible immigration status, the assistance must be terminated.
\*\*Refer to paragraph 3-12 K for further guidance.\*\*

**NOTE:** This requirement does not apply to the following programs
covered by this handbook, Section 202 PRAC, Section 811 PRAC,
\*\*Section 202 PAC and Section 221(d)(3) BMIR.\*\*.

### \*\*A student enrolled at an institution of higher education does not meet the eligibility requirements for Section 8 assistance. (See Chapter 3, paragraph 3-13.\*\*)

### **REMINDER:** Actions to terminate assistance must be based only on a change in the tenant's eligibility for assistance or a tenant's failure to fulfill specific responsibilities under program requirements. Owners must not take action to terminate assistance based on other factors.

## Procedures for Terminating or Reinstating Assistance

To avoid the potential for discrimination, it is important for owners to
ensure that the requirements and procedures described below are applied
consistently to all tenants.

### **Terminating Assistance**

#### When terminating a tenant's assistance, the owner increases the tenant's rent to market rent (or contract rent) and, where applicable, makes the assistance available to another tenant. 

#### When terminating assistance, an owner must provide proper notice to the tenant of the increase in the tenant's rent. 

**REMINDER:** When provided to a tenant with a disability, this notice
must be in a form accessible to the tenant (e.g., in Braille or audio
form for a tenant with a vision impairment).

#### Written notice \*\*should\*\* include:

##### The specific date the assistance will terminate;

##### The reason(s) for terminating assistance;

##### The amount of rent the tenant will be required to pay; 

##### Notification that if the tenant fails to pay the increased rent, the owner may terminate tenancy and seek to enforce the termination in court; and

##### \*\*The tenant has a right to request, within 10 calendar days from the date of the notice, a meeting with the owner to discuss the proposed termination of assistance.\*\*

#### The notice \*\*should\*\* be served by: 

##### Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed and including a return address, to the tenant at the unit address; [and]{.underline}

##### Delivering a copy of the notice to any adult person answering the door at the unit. If no adult answers the door, the person serving the notice may place it under or through the door, or affix it to the door.

#### The date on which the notice is deemed [received]{.underline} by the tenant is the later of:

##### The date the first class letter is mailed; or

##### The date the notice is properly given.

#### Service of the notice is deemed [effective]{.underline} once the notice has been both mailed and hand delivered.

### **Reinstating Assistance**

An owner may reinstate a tenant's terminated assistance if:

#### The original termination of assistance was due to:

##### A tenant's failure to recertify, or

##### A tenant's increased ability to pay;

#### The original termination of assistance was not due to fraud;

#### The tenant is eligible for assistance (based on the income and rent calculation, the tenant would pay less than market rent);

#### The tenant submits the required information; and 

#### Assistance is available for the unit.

## Termination of Assistance Related to Establishing Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status

### **Applicability** 

As stated in paragraphs 3-12 F. and 4-31 A., the restriction on
assistance to noncitizens applies to all properties covered by this
handbook, except the following:

#### Section 221(d)(3) BMIR properties;

#### Section 202 PAC;

#### Section 202 PRAC; and 

#### Section 811 PRAC.

### **When Assistance Must Not Be Terminated**

An owner must not terminate assistance on the basis of ineligible
immigration status of a family member if:

#### The primary (automated) and secondary (manual) verification search of any immigration documents that were submitted in time has not been completed by the DHS;

#### The family member for whom required evidence has not been submitted has moved from the assisted dwelling unit;

#### The family member who is determined not to have eligible immigration status following DHS verification has moved from the assisted dwelling unit;

#### The DHS appeals process under 24 CFR 5.514(e) has not been concluded (see subparagraph C below);

#### Assistance is prorated in accordance with 24 CFR 5.520;

#### Assistance for a mixed family is continued in accordance with 24 CFR 5.516 and 24 CFR 5.518; or 

#### Deferral of termination of assistance is granted in accordance with 24 CFR 5.516 and 24 CFR 5.518.

### **Termination of Assistance When Unable to Establish Citizenship or Eligible Immigration** **Status**

#### When an owner is unable to establish citizenship or eligible immigration status of family members, as discussed in paragraph 8-5 E, assistance to a tenant cannot be terminated until the completion of an informal hearing. 

#### Within [30 days]{.underline} of a DHS appeal decision or a notice from the owner terminating assistance, a tenant may request that the owner provide a hearing. The hearing procedures are outlined below.

##### The tenant must be provided a hearing before any person(s) designated by the owner, other than a person who made or approved the decision under review, and other than a person who is a subordinate of the person who made or approved the decision;

##### The tenant must be provided the opportunity to examine and copy, at the tenant\'s expense and at a reasonable time in advance of the hearing, any documents in the possession of the owner pertaining to the tenant's eligibility status, or in the possession of the DHS (as permitted by DHS requirements), including any records and regulations that may be relevant to the hearing;

##### The tenant must be provided the opportunity to present evidence and arguments in support of eligible immigration status. Evidence may be considered without regard to admissibility under the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings;

##### The tenant must be provided the opportunity to argue against evidence relied upon by the responsible entity and to confront and cross-examine all witnesses on whose testimony or information the owner relies;

##### The tenant must be entitled to be represented by an attorney, or other designee, at the tenant's expense, and to have such person make statements on the tenant's behalf;

##### The tenant must be entitled to arrange for an interpreter to attend the hearing, at the expense of the tenant, or owner, as may be agreed upon by the two parties; and 

##### The tenant must be entitled to have the hearing recorded by audiotape (a transcript of the hearing may, but is not required to, be provided by the owner). 

#### The owner must provide a written final decision, based solely on the facts presented at the hearing, to the tenant within [14 days]{.underline} of the date of the informal hearing. The decision must also state the basis for the determination. As with the notice, the decision must be in an accessible form if being provided to a tenant with a disability.

#### A decision against a tenant member issued in accordance with the requirements listed above does not preclude the tenant from exercising the right, which may otherwise be available, to seek redress directly through the judicial procedures. 

#### The owner must retain for a minimum of [5 years]{.underline} the following documents that may have been submitted by the tenant or provided to the owner as part of the DHS appeal or the informal hearing process: 

##### The application for financial assistance;

##### The form completed by the tenant for income re-examination;

##### Photocopies of any original documents (front and back), including original DHS documents;

##### The signed verification consent form;

##### The DHS verification results;

##### The request for an DHS appeal;

##### The final DHS determination;

##### The request for an informal hearing; and

##### The final informal hearing decision.

### **Termination of Assistance When a Tenant Allows an Ineligible Individual to Reside in a Unit**

If the owner terminates assistance based on a determination that a
tenant has knowingly permitted another individual who is not eligible
for assistance to reside (on a permanent basis) in the unit:

#### Such termination must be for a period of not less than 24 months; and

#### This provision does not apply to a tenant if, when calculating any proration of assistance provided for the family, the individual's ineligibility was known and considered.

Section 2: Termination of Tenancy by Lessees

## Key Regulations 

This paragraph identifies the key regulatory citations pertaining to
Section 2: Termination of Tenancy by Lessees. The citations and their
title are listed below.

-   24 CFR 880.606, 884.215, 886.127, 886.327, 891.425, 891.625, and
    891.765 Lease Requirements

## Key Requirements

### In order to terminate tenancy, the tenant must provide the owner with a written 30-day notice to vacate the unit, as required by the HUD lease*.* {#in-order-to-terminate-tenancy-the-tenant-must-provide-the-owner-with-a-written-30-day-notice-to-vacate-the-unit-as-required-by-the-hud-lease. .unnumbered}

**NOTE:** The regulations for RHS Section 515/8 properties permit either
the tenant or the owner to terminate the lease with a 30-day written
notice. This provision may be included in a one-year lease. The
provision must be included in any multi-year lease.

**[\*\*]{.mark}**

## Allowable Use of Security Deposits

If a tenant fails to pay the required rent as outlined in paragraph 8-9
B above or if there are tenant damages to the unit, an owner may use the
tenant's security deposit to pay the outstanding rent and/or damages.
Any remaining funds must be paid to the tenant. An owner must follow the
requirements and guidelines for security deposits and other charges
outlined in paragraph 6-18 regarding the refunding and use of the
security deposit.

Section 3: Termination of Tenancy by Owners

## Key Regulations 

This paragraph identifies key regulatory citations pertaining to Section
3: Termination of Tenancy by Owners. The citations and their titles (or
topics) are listed below.

### **Termination of Tenancy** 

#### 24 CFR 5.850-5.852, 5.858-5.861, 5.901, 5.903, and 5.905 (Termination of tenancy in Screening and Eviction for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity; Final Rule)

#### 24 CFR 247.3, 880.607, 881.601, and 883.701 (Fraud, minor violations, nonpayment of rent, state or local Landlord and Tenant Act)

#### 24 CFR 247.3, 880.607, 881.601, 883.701, and 884.216 (Substantial lease violations)

#### 24 CFR 880.607, 881.601, 883.701, and 247.3 (Other good cause) 

#### 24 CFR 880.607, 881.601, 883.701, and 884.216 (Lease expiration)

### **Eviction for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity**

-   24 CFR 5.850-5.852, 5.858-5.861, 5.901, 5.903, and 5.905 (Eviction
    in Screening and Eviction for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal
    Activity; Final Rule)

**NOTE:** These regulatory requirements do not apply to owners of
housing assisted by the Rural Housing Service under Section 514 or
Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949.

### **Providing Notice of Termination of Tenancy** 

#### 24 CFR 247.4 Termination Notice

#### 24 CFR 247.6 Eviction

## Overview

### The requirements and procedures for terminating tenancy provide owners with a mechanism to ensure that a tenant is fulfilling his/her obligations under the lease. These obligations include abiding by the lease and the house rules attached to and incorporated into the lease, paying rent when due, maintaining the unit, and permitting other tenants peaceful enjoyment of their units and the common area. Additionally, the termination of tenancy provides a mechanism to evict tenants who commit fraud or fail to provide the information required by HUD to establish their eligibility and/or appropriate rent. 

### The requirements and procedures also seek to ensure that owners provide tenants with proper notice and the opportunity to respond and treat all tenants in an equitable and consistent manner when terminating tenancy. Additionally, owners must be in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements when pursuing termination of tenancy. Owners must:

#### Adhere to termination criteria consistently and equitably; and 

#### Enforce the lease and house rules, and if lease obligations are not fulfilled, initiate termination proceedings to guarantee the other residents' health, safety, and peaceful enjoyment of the property.

### An owner must not refuse to renew a lease solely because a lease term has expired. Figure 8-2 summarizes the allowable circumstances when an owner may terminate tenancy, either during or at the end of the lease term. Each circumstance will be discussed in detail in the paragraphs to follow.

Figure 8-2: Allowable Circumstances for Terminating Tenancy

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   Material noncompliance                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Substantial lease violations                                      |
|                                                                       |
| -   Fraud                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Repeated minor violations                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Nonpayment of rent                                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Drug abuse and other criminal activity                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Material failure to carry out obligations under a State Landlord  |
|     and Tenant Act                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Other good cause                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

## Material Noncompliance with the Lease

### **Key Requirements**

Owners may terminate tenancy when a tenant is in material noncompliance
with the lease, including:

#### Failure of the tenant to submit in time all required information on household income and composition. Examples include:

##### The tenant\'s failure to:

###### Submit required evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status; 

###### Disclose and verify social security numbers; or

###### Sign and submit consent forms allowing verification of information regarding the tenant\'s income and eligibility. 

##### The tenant\'s knowingly providing incomplete or inaccurate information.

#### Extended absence or abandonment of the unit as defined in the house rules for the property, or in state or local law.

##### House rules regarding extended absence or abandonment must be consistent with the requirements and guidelines for house rules described in paragraph 6-9. See that chapter for more information.

##### The house rules must be attached to the lease for that unit.

#### [Fraud]{.underline}, which is when a tenant [knowingly]{.underline} provides inaccurate or incomplete information*.*

##### If the owner determines that a tenant acted fraudulently, the owner may terminate tenancy under the lease. A fraudulent action is considered material noncompliance with the lease.

##### The owner must handle fraud as a civil violation and may handle fraud as a criminal violation. When evicting for fraud, the owner [must]{.underline} simultaneously file a civil action against the tenant to recover the subsidy overpayment. The owner may refer the case to a local, state, or federal prosecutor who may pursue the case as a criminal matter.

##### The owner must take care not to confuse tenant error with fraud. Figure 8-3 below describes the difference between fraud and tenant errors. \*\*See paragraphs 8-17 and 8-18\*\* for more information. 

Figure 8-3: Tenant Errors versus Fraud

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Fraud should not be confused with tenant errors, which HUD considers  |
| unintentional program violations. Tenant errors are usually           |
| infractions or oversights that do not involve intentional deceit      |
| (e.g., tenant misunderstands or forgets the rules).                   |
|                                                                       |
| Tenants who were not eligible for assistance because they mistakenly  |
| provided incorrect information must reimburse the owner for the       |
| difference between the rent the tenant should have paid and the       |
| actual rent the tenant was charged*.* This circumstance constitutes a |
| tenant error and is [not]{.underline} a basis for eviction.           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### [Repeated minor violations]{.underline} that:

##### Disrupt the livability of the property;

##### Adversely affect the health or safety of any person, or the right of any tenant to the peaceful enjoyment of the property;

##### Interfere with the management of the property; or

##### Have an adverse financial effect on the property.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Example -- Minor Violations                                           |
|                                                                       |
| **NOTE:** This list is not comprehensive.                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Tenant keeps unauthorized occupants.                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Tenant fails to pay utilities.                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Tenant behaves or acts in a manner that continually disrupts the  |
|     right of other residents to enjoy the property.                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Tenant damages, destroys, or defaces the unit or property.        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Tenant fails to pay the cost of all repairs caused by             |
|     carelessness or neglect on the part of the tenant.                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### [Nonpayment of rent]{.underline} due under the lease*.*

##### The tenant is obligated to pay all amounts due under the lease or repayment agreement, including any portion thereof.

##### The owner must not terminate tenancy until any grace period permitted by state law has expired.

**NOTE:** If the tenant pays all amounts due under the lease within the
grace period, this is not material noncompliance, but rather a minor
violation. Repeated minor violations constitute cause for eviction.

### **Procedures for Terminating Tenancy and Providing Notice**

The following procedures are the minimum standards required by HUD. Most
state and/or local laws are more restrictive than HUD's minimum
requirements; therefore, an owner should be aware of state and local
laws governing terminations.

#### [Basis for termination]{.underline}. 

To terminate tenancy, an owner must establish that the basis for the
termination is consistent with:

##### HUD-required lease provisions;

##### Allowable lease provisions set forth in the lease for the unit occupied by the tenant; and

##### Applicable state and local laws.

#### [Termination notice]{.underline}.

##### If the owner proposes to terminate a lease, the owner must give the tenant written notice of the proposed termination. 

##### For tenants with a disability, the notice must be provided in a form accessible to the tenant.

##### When an owner terminates tenancy, written notice must be provided to the tenant and must: 

###### State the specific date the tenancy will be terminated;

###### State the reasons for the action with enough detail to enable the tenant to prepare a defense;

###### Advise the tenant that remaining in the unit on the termination date specified in the notice may result in the owner seeking to enforce the termination in court, at which time the tenant may present a defense;

###### Advise the tenant that he/she has [10 days]{.underline} within which to discuss termination of tenancy with the owner. The 10-day period begins on the day that the notice is deemed effective (see subparagraph B.3 below); 

###### \*\*Advise that persons with disabilities have the right to request reasonable accommodations to participate in the hearing process (see Chapter 2, Subsection 4 for information on Reasonable Accommodation) \*\* 

###### Be served on the tenant as described under subparagraph B.3c below. 

**REMINDER:** When provided to a tenant with a disability, this notice
must be in a form accessible to the tenant (e.g., in Braille or audio
form for a tenant with a vision impairment).

##### When terminating tenancy for [material noncompliance]{.underline}, the time of service of the termination notice must be in accordance with the lease and state law. 

##### In the case of the tenant's [nonpayment of rent]{.underline}, the notice must include the dollar amount of the balance due on the rent account and the date of such computation. 

#### [Manner of service for Section 236, Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Rent Supplement, Section 202/8, Section 202 PAC, Section 202 PRAC, Section 811 PRAC, Section 8 Loan Management Set-Aside, and Section 8 Property Disposition Set-Aside]{.underline}.

##### The notice must be served by: 

###### Sending a letter by first class mail, properly stamped and addressed and including a return address, to the tenant at the unit address; [and]{.underline}

###### Delivering a copy of the notice to any adult person answering the door at the unit. If no adult answers the door, the person serving the notice may place it under or through the door, or affix it to the door.

##### The date on which the notice is deemed [received]{.underline} by the tenant is the later of:

###### The date the first class letter is mailed; or

###### The date the notice is properly given.

##### Service of the notice is deemed [effective]{.underline} once the notice has been both mailed and hand delivered.

#### [Manner of service for all other Section 8 programs]{.underline}.

The manner of service will be in accordance with the provisions of state
and local laws.

#### [Judicial action]{.underline}.

##### An owner must not evict any tenant except by judicial action pursuant to state and local laws.

##### In any judicial action to evict a tenant, the owner must rely on the grounds cited in the termination notice served to the tenant. However, the owner is not precluded from relying on grounds about which he/she had no knowledge of at the time the notice was sent to the tenant. 

**NOTE:** For Section 8 New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation,
and State Agency properties, the owner must rely [only]{.underline} on
the grounds cited in the termination notice served to the tenant*.*

##### The tenant's failure to object to the notice does not constitute the tenant's waiver of his/her rights to contest the owner's action in a judicial proceeding.

##### A tenant may rely on state or local laws governing eviction procedures where such laws provide the tenant procedural rights that are in addition to those provided by the regulatory agreements, except where such laws have been preempted under CFR Part 246, Local Rent Control, or by other action of the United States.

## Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity

### **Key Requirements**

#### The authority to terminate tenancy of tenants is in accordance with the HUD model leases and state or local Landlord and Tenant Act(s). 

#### [Criminal activity]{.underline}. Owners may terminate tenancy for any of the following types of criminal activity by a covered person (a tenant, household member, guest, or other person under the tenant's control): 

##### Any criminal activity that threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents (including property management staff residing on the premises); or

##### Any criminal activity that threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of their residences by persons residing in the immediate vicinity of the premises.

**NOTE:** Owners may terminate tenancy and evict tenants for criminal
activity by a covered person if they determine that the covered person
has engaged in the criminal activity, regardless of whether the covered
person has been arrested or convicted for such activity and without
satisfying a criminal conviction standard of proof of the activity.

#### [Illegal drug use]{.underline}. Owners may evict a family when they determine that a household member is illegally using a drug or when owners determine that a pattern of illegal use of a drug interferes with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents. 

#### [Alcohol abuse]{.underline}. Owners may terminate tenancy if they determine that a household member's abuse or pattern of abuse of alcohol threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents. 

#### [Other circumstances]{.underline}. Owners may terminate tenancy during the term of the lease if a tenant is: 

##### Fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction for a crime, or attempting to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or that, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor; or

##### Violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under federal or state law.

#### Owners must consistently apply their eviction standards. 

#### Eviction actions must be consistent with federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including the fair housing and equal opportunity laws described in 24 CFR 5.105.

### **Factors to Consider When Terminating Tenancy for Drug Abuse and Other Criminal Activity** 

> **\*\*NOTE:** Owners should be careful to implement consistently all
> criminal background checks and decision-making procedures. Owners are
> required to have their procedures included as part of their Tenant
> Selection Plan (see Chapter 4, Figure 4-2.)\*\*

#### As part of their eviction standards, owners may consider all of the circumstances relevant to a particular eviction case, such as: 

##### The seriousness of the offending action;

##### The effect on the community of terminating or not terminating tenancy;

##### The extent of the tenant's participation in the offending action;

##### The effect of termination of tenancy on household members not involved in the offending action;

##### The demand for assisted housing by families who will adhere to lease responsibilities;

##### The extent to which the tenant has shown personal responsibility and taken all reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate the offending action; and 

##### The effect of the owner's action on the integrity of the program.

#### In determining whether to terminate tenancy for illegal use of drugs or alcohol abuse by a household member *who is no longer engaged in such behavior*, an owner may consider and may require evidence of whether the member: 

##### Is participating in or has successfully completed a supervised drug or alcohol rehabilitation program; or 

##### Has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully.

#### A tenant may be required to exclude a household member in order to continue to reside in the unit when that household member has participated in, or is responsible for, an action or a failure to act that warrants termination.

### **Procedures for Accessing Criminal Records**

#### An owner may submit a request to a PHA (in the area where the property is located) \*\*to obtain the\*\* criminal records of a member of a household \*\*for use in applicant screening, lease enforcement or eviction. Refer to Glossary for definition of Public Housing Agency (PHA).\*\* 

#### \*\*Prior to performing or requesting a PHA to conduct a background check, an owner must do the following:

##### Obtain a signed consent form from the household member or applicant; 

##### Provide the PHA with its selection criteria; and 

##### Ensure that all criminal background checks are conducted consistently for every applicant or resident.

#### Upon request of the owner, the PHA must request the criminal conviction records from the state where the applicant resides and from other states where the applicant has resided. Owners and PHAs may rely on the applicant's declaration regarding their residences and any other information. \*\* 

#### If the PHA receives criminal conviction records requested by the owner, the PHA must determine whether criminal action by a household member, as shown by such criminal conviction records, may be a basis for lease enforcement or eviction. \*\*The PHA's determination with regard to the screening and admission of applicants is based upon the criminal conviction record and the owner's standards for prohibiting admission. All findings of a criminal background or sex offender status used to make determinations must be documented. If the owner's selection criteria are not clear, the PHA should contact the owner for clarity. The PHA will make a determination based on the information provided by the owner. Any decisions based on "reasonable belief" or other "determination" of the owner should be documented with the reason for the belief or determination. This documentation should not be only of specific behavior, but that the behavior would (or does) interfere with the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of other residents. \*\* 

#### The PHA must notify the owner whether it has received criminal conviction records for the household member and its determination as to whether such criminal conviction records may be a basis for lease enforcement or eviction. Except as provided below, a PHA must not disclose the household member's criminal conviction record or the content of the record to the owner. A PHA may only make this disclosure if the following conditions are satisfied: 

##### The PHA determines that the criminal activity by the household member, as shown by records received from a law enforcement agency, may be a basis for eviction from a Section 8 unit; and 

##### The owner certifies in writing that the criminal conviction records will be used only for the purpose and only to the extent necessary to seek eviction in a judicial proceeding of a Section 8 tenant, based on the criminal activity by the household member that is described in the criminal conviction records.

#### If a PHA receives criminal conviction records from a state or local agency showing that a household member has been convicted of a crime relevant to lease enforcement or eviction, the PHA must notify the household of the proposed action and must provide the subject of the record and the tenant a copy of the information and an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the information. This opportunity must be provided before a lease enforcement or eviction action is taken on the basis of the information. 

#### \*\*The owner may deny admissions to an applicant using his/her standard for admission screening or may evict a tenant in accordance with his/her standard for termination of tenancy if the criminal background check indicates that the applicant or tenant provided false information. If the household is to be denied admission or evicted, the PHA /owner making the determination must:

##### Notify the household of the proposed denial of admission or termination of tenancy. 

##### Provide the subject of the record and the applicant or tenant, with a copy of the information the action is based upon. 

##### Provide the applicant or tenant with an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the information obtained from any law enforcement agency. \*\* 

#### A PHA may charge an owner reasonable fees for making a request, on behalf of the owner, for criminal conviction records. A PHA may require the owner to reimburse costs incurred by the PHA, including reimbursement of any fees charged to the PHA by a law enforcement agency, and the PHA's own related staff and administrative costs.

#### \*\*Owners may use sources other than the PHA to conduct criminal background checks. The owner may conduct his/her own background search of criminal records, or may secure a contractor. When the owner conducts his/her own criminal background searches or uses sources other than a PHA, the owner will make the determination, in accordance with the owner's standards for admission, if the applicant or tenant meets the screening criteria.\*\*

#### The owner may [not]{.underline} pass along the costs of the criminal records check to the tenant.

#### \*\*Owners and PHAs have the discretion to contract out criminal background checks, but will be responsible for the action and decisions made by their contractor. HUD does not prescribe the process the PHA uses to determine the source for obtaining the criminal background information. However, the criminal records must be requested from the appropriate law enforcement agency, National Crime Information Center (NCIC), police departments, or other law enforcement agencies that hold criminal conviction records. 

#### Entities that obtain criminal records are not responsible for updating the criminal history of an applicant or tenant.

####  All criminal records received are to be maintained confidentially, not misused or improperly disseminated; and destroyed upon completion of the originally intended use. When destroying records of criminal background, a notation should be made in the tenant file that includes the date the records are destroyed and a statement that the records were destroyed for purposes of confidentiality. 

#### Entities must handle any information from other records in accordance with applicable state and federal privacy laws and with the provisions of the consent forms signed by the applicant. \*\* 

#### [Penalties for improper release of information]{.underline}. Conviction for a misdemeanor and imposition of a fine of not more than \$5,000 is the potential penalty for any owner who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains under false pretenses any information concerning a tenant under the authority of this rule or who discloses any such information in any manner to any individual not entitled under any law to receive the information. 

### **Procedures for Terminating Tenancy and Providing Notice**

See paragraph 8-13 B for information on the basis for termination, the
termination notice, the manner of service, and judicial action.

## Material Failure to Carry Out Obligations under a State or Local Landlord and Tenant Act 

### **Key Requirements**

State and local laws impose obligations on a landlord and tenant and
provide that violations of the tenant's obligations constitute grounds
for eviction.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Example -- Material Failure to Carry Out Obligations under a State or |
| Local Landlord and Tenant Act                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Examples of a tenant's failure to fulfill his/her obligation under a  |
| State or Local Landlord and Tenant Act include but are not limited    |
| to:                                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Overcrowding a unit in violation of the local housing code; and   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Damaging, destroying, or defacing a unit to such extent that the  |
|     unit no longer is in compliance with the housing code.            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

### **Procedures for Terminating Tenancy and Providing Notice**

#### See paragraph 8-13 B for information on the basis for termination, the termination notice, the manner of service, and judicial action. 

#### When terminating tenancy for material failure to carry out an obligation under a State and Local Landlord and Tenant Act, the time of service of the termination notice must be in accordance with the lease and state law. 

## Other Good Cause 

### **Key Requirements**

#### Other good cause is defined by state and local laws, not by HUD. In addition, issues regarding the existence of other good cause may be resolved by the owner and tenant in court through an action for eviction of the tenant. 

#### The conduct of a tenant may be deemed good cause, provided the owner has given the tenant prior written notice and stated the conduct would constitute a basis for termination of occupancy in the future. Such notice to the tenant must be served in the same manner as a notice of termination of tenancy. (See paragraph 8-13 B.) 

####  {#section .unnumbered}

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Example -- Other Good Cause                                           |
|                                                                       |
| For all Section 8 New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation, and   |
| State Agency properties, the regulations list the refusal of the      |
| tenant to accept an approved modified lease form as "Other Good       |
| Cause."                                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

### **Procedures for Terminating Tenancy and Providing Notice**

#### See paragraph 8-13 B for information on the basis for termination, the termination notice, the manner of service, and judicial action. 

#### If the owner is terminating tenancy for other good cause, the notice must be effective at the end of the lease term, but in no case earlier than [30 days]{.underline} after receipt of the notice by the tenant. This notice period may run concurrently with any comparable notice period required by state or local law. 

#### A termination notice for other good cause must provide that the proposed termination will be effective at the end of the lease term, but in no case earlier than [30 days]{.underline} after receipt of the notice by the tenant. 

Section 4: Discrepancies, Errors, and Fraud

## \*\*Procedures for Addressing Discrepancies and Errors\*\*

### **Overview**

To promote income and rent integrity, owners must investigate and
research discrepancies and possible errors. The immediate objective is
to determine income and rent correctly. However, the following
procedures can be used in a variety of inquiries.

### **\*\*Program\*\* Violations** 

When owners identify an error involving a tenant, they should first
determine if the error constitutes a \*\*program\*\* violation.

A program violation occurs when the tenant by action or inaction
breaches a lease, regulation, or other program requirement. Tenant
errors occur because tenants misunderstand or forget rules. Tenant
errors are thought of as unintentional program violations.

### **Investigating and Discovering the Facts**

#### If an owner suspects that a tenant has inaccurately supplied or misrepresented information that affects the tenant's rent or eligibility, the owner must investigate and document the tenant's statements and any conflicting information the owner has received. To research questionable information, the owner may:

##### Confront the tenant with the tenant's information and any conflicting information;

##### Obtain additional information from other persons or agencies; and

##### Take other actions to verify either the tenant's information or the conflicting information.

#### If an intentional misstatement or withholding of information cannot be substantiated through documentation, \*\*the owner [must]{.underline} treat the case as an unintentional program violation. \*\*

### **Notifying and Meeting with the Tenant**

#### After gathering the documentation, the owner must notify the tenant in writing of the error and identify what information is believed to be incorrect. 

#### The tenant must have an opportunity, within [10 days]{.underline}, to meet with the owner and discuss the allegations. 

##### The owner must also inform the tenant that failure to do so may result in the tenant's termination of tenancy. 

##### The meeting with the owner must be with a designated representative who has not been involved in any manner with the review of the allegedly false information.

##### The owner must provide a written final decision, based solely on the facts presented and discussed at the meeting to the tenant within [10 days]{.underline} of the date of the meeting. The decision must also state the basis for the determination.

#### For tenants with a disability, the notice must be in a form accessible to the tenant, and the meeting must be held in a location accessible to the tenant.

### **Determining the Outcome of the Investigation**

#### If the tenant meets with the owner to discuss the error, and the owner is convinced the tenant's submissions were correct, the owner should document the file accordingly and close the investigation.

#### If, after meeting with the tenant, the owner determines that the provision of inaccurate information was an unintentional program violation, the owner should correct the tenant's rent, if applicable, and provide the tenant with notice of the change in rent. If the tenant is unable to repay the full amount, the owner and tenant should enter into a repayment agreement.

##### If, after the income adjustment, the tenant no longer qualifies for assistance, the tenant may remain in the property subject to making repayments and paying market rent.

##### The owner may terminate tenancy if the tenant refuses to pay the new monthly rent or refuses to repay the previously overpaid subsidy pursuant to the repayment agreement.

##### If necessary, civil action may be filed to recover the funds. 

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Example -- Unintentional Program Violation                            |
|                                                                       |
| A two-income household receives rental assistance payments. One       |
| individual works full time, which was fully disclosed during the last |
| recertification. The other has a part-time job, but the work is on an |
| as-needed basis. Because the income earnings were uncertain, small in |
| amount, and infrequent, the tenant misunderstood the requirement to   |
| report income and did not report the uncertain income earnings.       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### If the owner determines the tenant knowingly provided inaccurate or incomplete information, and this can be substantiated through documentation, the owner needs to pursue the incident as fraud \*\*following the guidance in paragraph 8-18.\*\* 

## \*\*Procedures for Addressing Fraud\*\*

### **Overview**

> Some investigations may lead to the discovery of efforts by tenants or
> other parties to mislead the owner and, possibly, to commit fraudulent
> acts that result in the receipt of benefits or rent subsidies for
> which the tenant is not eligible. \*\*If after following the
> procedures in paragraph 8-17 for investigating and researching
> questionable information, the owner may determine that the tenant has
> knowingly provided inaccurate or incomplete information and will
> pursue the incident as fraud.\*\*

### **\*\*Criminal Violation (Fraud)\*\***

> A criminal violation would be fraud, which is considered deceit or
> trickery deliberately practiced in order to gain some advantage
> dishonestly. Fraud is an intentional deception; it cannot be committed
> accidentally.
>
> NOTE: A common error is to misuse or overuse the term "fraud" when a
> violation is suspected. A violation is not always fraudulent. It is
> important that owners first review and assess the circumstances before
> labeling a violation as fraud.

### **Documenting Fraud**

In order to establish fraud, the tenant file must contain documentation
showing the following:

#### The tenant was made aware of program requirements and prohibitions (i.e., all appropriate signatures are on the intake documents); and 

#### The tenant intentionally misstated or withheld some material information. The strongest proof of fraud is an admission by the tenant. Fraudulent intent can also be demonstrated by documenting that:

##### The act was done repeatedly (i.e., not a one-time or accidental occurrence), or there was prior determination of fraudulent intent or conviction (e.g., signing false \*\*HUD-50059s\*\*);

##### False names or social security numbers were used;

##### The tenant falsified, forged, or altered documents;

##### The tenant omitted material facts that were known to the tenant (e.g., employment of self or other household members); or

##### The tenant made admission to another person of the illegal action or omission (e.g., boasting that he/she cheated, or telling an employer or neighbor that an "absent" spouse has moved in with the tenant).

### **Taking Action to Address Fraud**

#### When fraud is present, the authorized course of action for owners to take is termination of tenancy. An owner\'s authority to pursue eviction in cases of tenant fraud is grounded in the material noncompliance provision contained in both the model lease and in the regulations *\[24 CFR 247.3\]*. Material noncompliance includes \"knowingly providing incomplete or inaccurate information."

#### Fraud can be handled as a civil and/or criminal violation.

##### Fraud can be handled as a civil violation by using it as grounds for a termination of tenancy. Providing false information is a material noncompliance with the lease. The owner must seek recovery for subsidy overpayment by asking the court for judgment against the tenant.

##### Fraud is handled as a criminal violation when a local or federal prosecutor decides to prosecute the tenant for violation of a state or federal law. To convict the tenant, the prosecutor must show the court that the case contains all the elements of criminal fraud.

#### When a tenant is evicted for material noncompliance for submitting false, incomplete, or inaccurate information on household income or family composition required for certification or recertification, an owner must file a civil action against the tenant to recover improper subsidy payments. An owner may consider referring the case for prosecution as a criminal violation, if applicable. Prosecution may be pursued on the local, state, or federal level.

#### HUD will allow the owner to keep a portion of the repayments collected from tenants who have improperly reported income at the time of certification or recertification. The owner may retain up to a maximum of 20% of the amount of \*\*repayments of fraudulent amounts\*\* actually collected from the tenant to cover the owner's actual costs. The owner must reimburse the balance of the tenant repayment to HUD. (See Chapter 6 of HUD Handbook 4381.5 REV-2, *The Management Agent Handbook*.) These repayments to HUD are made through offsets to future vouchers submitted to HUD until the total amount has been repaid.

## Discrepancies Based on Information from a State Wage Information Collection Agency (SWICA) or Federal Agency 

### **Requirements Regarding Wage Information Discrepancies**

#### Applicants and tenants receiving housing assistance agree that they will provide the owner with any family income information following receipt of an income discrepancy letter issued by HUD by signing the HUD model lease. If the tenant receives such a letter from HUD, he/she must promptly furnish it to the owner.

#### Tenants may be denied assistance or have their level of assistance adjusted based on earnings information received from SWICAs or federal agencies. HUD or Contract Administrators may obtain this type of verification, but it is not directly provided to the owner. The information is generally obtained through a computer income match, and HUD or the Contract Administrator is notified of any discrepancy.

#### Owners may not deny, suspend, or reduce any benefits of a tenant until HUD or the owner has taken appropriate steps to independently verify information relating to:

##### The amount of the wages, other earnings or income, or unemployment compensation involved; 

##### Whether such tenant actually has (or had) access to such wages, other earnings or income, or benefits for his or her own use; and 

##### The period (or periods) when, or with respect to which, the tenant actually received such wages, other earnings or income, or benefits. 

### **Procedures for Responding to Undisclosed Information or Discrepancies**

When income verification reveals an employer or other income source that
was not disclosed by the tenant, or when the income information differs
substantially from the information received from the tenant or from his
or her employer, the following must occur:

#### HUD or the Contract Administrator will request the undisclosed employer or other income source to furnish any information necessary to establish a tenant's eligibility for, or level of assistance in, a covered program. This information should be furnished in writing to:

##### HUD, with respect to programs under 24 CFR, parts 215, 221, 235, 236, or 290; 

##### The responsible entity (as defined in 24 CFR 5.100) in the case of any Section 8 program; and 

##### The owner or mortgagee, as applicable, with respect to the Rent Supplement, Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Section 235 homeownership assistance, or Section 236 programs. 

#### HUD or the Contract Administrator may verify the income information directly with a tenant. Such verification procedures must not include any disclosure of income information obtained from the SSA or IRS.

#### HUD and the Contract Administrator will not be required to pursue these verification procedures when the sums of money at issue are too small to raise an inference of fraud or justify the expense of independent verification and the procedures related to termination, denial, suspension, or reduction of assistance. 

#### Based on the income information received from a SWICA or federal agency, HUD or the Contract Administrator, as appropriate, may inform an owner (or mortgagee) that a tenant\'s eligibility for, or level of, assistance is uncertain and needs to be verified. The owner (or mortgagee) must then confirm the tenant\'s income information by checking the accuracy of the information with the employer or other income source, or directly with the tenant. 

### **Nondisclosure of Income Information** 

HUD and the Contract Administrator may not disclose income information
obtained from a SWICA directly to an owner (unless a Contract
Administrator is the owner). Disclosure of income information obtained
from the SSA or IRS is restricted under 26 U.S.C. 6103(l)(7) and 42
U.S.C. 3544.

### **Opportunity to Contest** 

HUD, the Contract Administrator, or the owner (or mortgagee, as
applicable) must promptly notify a tenant in writing of any adverse
findings made on the basis of the information verified. The applicant
may contest the findings in the same manner as applies to other
information and findings relating to eligibility factors under the
applicable program. Denial of assistance must be carried out in
accordance with requirements and procedures applicable to the individual
covered program and will not occur until the expiration of any notice
period provided by the statute or regulations governing the program*.*

## Reimbursement to HUD for Overpayment of Assistance

### **Tenant's Obligation to Repay**

#### The tenant must reimburse the owner for the difference between the rent the tenant should have paid and the rent he/she was actually charged, if the tenant:

##### Fails to provide the owner with interim changes in income or other factors;

##### Submits incorrect information on any application, certification, or recertification; and 

##### As a result, is charged a rent less than the amount required by HUD\'s rent formulas.

#### The tenant acknowledges his/her obligation to make such reimbursements:

##### In paragraph 18 of the Model Lease for Subsidized Programs;

##### In paragraph 14 of the Model Lease for Section 202/8 or Section 202 PAC; and 

##### In paragraph 12 of the Model Leases for Section 202 PRAC and Section 811 PRAC.

#### If the tenant does not pay in full, an owner should enter into a repayment plan with the tenant to collect these funds over a specific period of time. 

#### The tenant is not required to reimburse the owner for undercharges caused solely by the owner\'s failure to follow HUD\'s procedures for computing rent or assistance payments. 

#### A tenant must reimburse the owner for the total overpayment back to the date of admission if the following occurs:

##### The applicant submits information on income and family composition as the basis for the owner to make a determination that the applicant is eligible;

##### The applicant is admitted as a tenant; and 

##### It is later determined that the information was incorrect and the tenant was not eligible for assistance.

**NOTE:** This holds regardless of whether the tenant\'s circumstances
later resulted in him/her being eligible for the assistance. In such
cases, the tenant would have to apply and be placed on the waiting list
for assistance.

In turn, the owner reimburses HUD in accordance with the procedures
outlined immediately below.

#### The owner makes an adjustment on the monthly HAP voucher to reflect the amount of the tenant\'s reimbursement of unauthorized assistance.

### **Owner's Obligation to Repay**

#### The owner is not required to reimburse HUD immediately for overpayments of assistance where the overpayment was caused by the tenant\'s submission of incorrect information. Repayments are required when and as tenants repay in accordance with an agreed-upon repayment plan. 

#### The owner must reimburse HUD for all other overpayments of assistance where such overpayments were due to the owner\'s error or the owner\'s failure to follow HUD\'s procedures. HUD or the Contract Administrator may permit the owner to repay such overpayments in one lump sum or over a period of time through reduction of normal housing assistance requisitions if immediate repayment in full would jeopardize the financial condition of the property.

## Reimbursement to Tenant for Overpayment of Rent

In reviewing a tenant's file or recalculating a tenant's income, an
owner may discover an error that resulted in the tenant paying a higher
tenant rent than the tenant should have been charged. HUD or the
Contract Administrator may also discover such an error during a review
of the tenant files performed in conjunction with a Management Review or
Occupancy Review. When such an error occurs, the owner must provide the
tenant with written notification, which includes:

### A notice of the change in rent, effective retroactively to when the error occurred;

### The new monthly rent the tenant is required to pay;

### The amount of the overpayment of rent due to the tenant; and

### A form for the tenant to execute and return to the owner stating whether the tenant wishes to:

#### Receive a full, immediate refund; or

#### Apply the overpayment to future monthly rent payments.