24 C.F.R. § 14.310
§ 14.310 Answer to application. (24 CFR Part 14)
Operative Text
(a) Within 30 days after service of an application, agency counsel may file an answer to the application. Agency counsel may request an extension of time for filing. If agency counsel fails to answer or otherwise fails to contest or settle the application, the adjudicative officer, upon a satisfactory showing of entitlement by the applicant, may make an award for the applicant's fees and other expenses under the Act. (b) If agency counsel and the applicant believe that the issues in the fee application can be settled, they may jointly file a statement of their intent to negotiate a settlement. The filing of this statement shall extend the time for filing an answer for an additional 30 days, and further extensions may be granted by the adjudicative officer upon request by agency counsel and the applicant. (c) The answer shall explain in detail any objections to the award requested and identify the facts relied on in support of agency counsel's position. If the answer is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, agency counsel shall include with the answer either supporting affidavits or a request for further proceedings under § 14.325.
Under 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.310, when a fee application is filed under the Equal Access to Justice Act, the government's legal representative (agency counsel) has 30 days after being served to file a written answer. If both sides believe a negotiated settlement is possible, they can jointly pause that deadline for an additional 30 days, with further extensions available. Any answer filed must detail the specific objections to the requested fees and identify the factual basis for those objections, including supporting affidavits if new facts are introduced.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Although 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.310 governs federal agency proceedings rather than typical landlord-tenant relationships, property owners or managers who become parties to federal administrative actions should be aware that fee applications under the Equal Access to Justice Act trigger a structured response timeline. A compliant respondent in such a proceeding generally monitors service dates carefully, files a timely and detailed answer within the 30-day window, and ensures that any factual claims not already in the record are supported by affidavits or a request for further proceedings. When settlement appears feasible, parties commonly file a joint statement of intent to negotiate, which formally extends the answer deadline under § 14.310(b).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants or other applicants who have filed a fee application in a federal administrative proceeding, 24 CFR Part 14 § 14.310 establishes the framework within which agency counsel must respond. If agency counsel does not answer or otherwise fails to contest the application, the adjudicative officer may grant an award based on a satisfactory showing of entitlement. Tenants navigating this process may find it useful to track the 30-day response window, understand that settlement negotiations can extend that deadline, and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource familiar with federal EAJA proceedings for general guidance on how § 14.310 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.
Effective Timeline
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