24 C.F.R. § 14.215
§ 14.215 When an application may be filed. (24 CFR Part 14)
Operative Text
(a) An application may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed in the proceeding or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of the proceeding, but in no case later than 30 days after the Department's final disposition of the proceeding. (b) For purposes of this rule, final disposition means the date on which a decision or order disposing of the merits of the proceeding or any other complete resolution of the proceeding, such as a settlement of voluntary dismissal, become final and unappealable, both within the Department and to the courts. (c) If review or reconsideration (under HUD Board of Contract Appeals Rule 29, 24 CFR 20.10) is sought or taken of a decision as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final disposition of the underlying controversy. When the United States appeals the underlying merits of an adversary adjudication to a court, no decision on an application for fees and other expenses in connection with that adversary adjudication shall be made until a final and unreviewable decision is rendered by the court on the appeal or until the underlying merits of the case have been finally determined pursuant to the appeal.
Under 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.215, a party seeking an award of fees and expenses from HUD must submit its application within 30 days of the final, unappealable resolution of the underlying proceeding — whether that resolution comes through a formal decision, a settlement, or a voluntary dismissal. The clock does not start until the matter is truly final, meaning all avenues for appeal or reconsideration within HUD and the courts have closed. If either side pursues further review of the underlying dispute, the fee application process is placed on hold until that review concludes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers who believe they have prevailed against HUD in an adversary adjudication governed by 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.215 generally track the date on which the proceeding reaches a final, unappealable disposition, since that date triggers the 30-day filing window for a fee application. Compliant operators typically monitor any pending appeals or reconsideration requests — by either party — because § 14.215(c) automatically stays fee proceedings while the underlying merits remain unresolved. Keeping careful records of all procedural milestones in the HUD proceeding helps ensure a timely and complete application if one becomes appropriate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants or other individuals who have prevailed in a HUD proceeding may have the right under 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.215 to seek an award of fees and expenses, but that right is time-sensitive: the application generally must be filed no later than 30 days after the proceeding reaches a final, unappealable resolution. If HUD or another party seeks further review of the underlying decision, § 14.215(c) pauses the fee application process until that review is complete, which can affect timing. Those who believe they may qualify are encouraged to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand how the filing window applies to their circumstances.
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.
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