24 C.F.R. § 14.130
§ 14.130 Allowable fees and expenses. (24 CFR Part 14)
Operative Text
(a) No award for the fee of an attorney or agent under these rules may exceed $75.00 per hour. However, an award may also include the reasonable expenses of the attorney, agent or witness as a separate item, if the attorney, agent or witness ordinarily charges clients separately for such expenses. (b) In determining the reasonableness of the fee sought for an attorney, agent or expert witness, the adjudicative officer shall consider the following: (1) If the attorney, agent or witness is in private practice, his or her customary fee for similar services, or, if an employee of the applicant, the fully allocated cost of the services; (2) The prevailing rate for the kind and quality of services furnished in the community in which the attorney, agent or witness ordinarily performs services; (3) The time actually spent in the representation of the applicant; (4) The time reasonably spent in the light of the difficulty or complexity of the issues in the proceeding; and (5) Such other factors as may bear on the value of the services provided. (c) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, project, or similar matter prepared on behalf of a party may be awarded, to the extent that the charge for the services does not exceed the prevailing rate for similar services, and the study or other matter was necessary for preparation of the applicant's case.
Under 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.130, when attorney, agent, or witness fees are awarded in covered federal proceedings, the hourly fee portion of any such award is capped at $75.00 per hour. Separately, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for attorneys, agents, or witnesses may be included in an award if those costs are ordinarily billed to clients as distinct charges. The rule also allows recovery of costs for studies, reports, tests, and similar materials prepared for the case, provided the charges do not exceed prevailing market rates and the materials were genuinely necessary for the proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers involved in proceedings governed by 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.130 should be aware that any fee award they may seek—or face—for attorney or agent services is subject to a $75.00-per-hour ceiling. Compliant operators who seek fee awards typically document the time actually spent, the customary rates in their community, and any separately billed expenses or study costs to support a reasonableness determination. Keeping organized records of professional fees, invoices for reports or analyses, and billing practices consistent with what is ordinarily charged to clients helps substantiate a fee application under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants involved in federal proceedings covered by 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.130 have the benefit of a rule that limits hourly attorney or agent fee awards to $75.00 per hour, which can affect the overall costs at stake in a proceeding. The provision also allows tenants who prevail to seek reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and the cost of necessary studies or reports, as long as those charges align with prevailing community rates. Tenants who believe fee awards in their proceeding are not being calculated consistently with § 14.130 may raise that issue before the adjudicative officer handling the matter or consult a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on how fee disputes are typically addressed.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.