24 C.F.R. § 982.307
§ 982.307 Tenant screening. (24 CFR Part 982)
Operative Text
(a) PHA option and owner responsibility. (1) The PHA has no liability or responsibility to the owner or other persons for the family's behavior or suitability for tenancy. However, the PHA may opt to screen applicants for family behavior or suitability for tenancy. The PHA must conduct any such screening of applicants in accordance with policies stated in the PHA Administrative Plan. (2) The owner is responsible for screening and selection of the family to occupy the owner's unit. At or before PHA approval of the tenancy, the PHA must inform the owner that screening and selection for tenancy is the responsibility of the owner. (3) The owner is responsible for screening of families on the basis of their tenancy histories. An owner may consider a family's background with respect to such factors as: (i) Payment of rent and utility bills; (ii) Caring for a unit and premises; (iii) Respecting the rights of other residents to the peaceful enjoyment of their housing; (iv) Drug-related criminal activity or other criminal activity that is a threat to the health, safety or property of others; and (v) Compliance with other essential conditions of tenancy. (b) PHA information about tenant. (1) The PHA must give the owner: (i) The family's current and prior address (as shown in the PHA records); and (ii) The name and address (if known to the PHA) of the landlord at the family's current and prior address. (2) When a family wants to lease a dwelling unit, the PHA may offer the owner other information in the PHA possession, about the family, including information about the tenancy history of family members, or about drug-trafficking by family members. (3) The PHA must give the family a statement of the PHA policy on providing information to owners. The statement must be included in the information packet that is given to a family selected to participate in the program. The PHA policy must provide that the PHA will give the same types of information to all families and to all owners. (4) In cases involving a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking) applies.
Under § 982.307, the housing authority (PHA) bears no responsibility for how a voucher-holding family behaves as a tenant, though it may screen applicants for suitability if its Administrative Plan allows. The owner holds the primary duty to screen and select families for their units, and may weigh factors such as rental payment history, property care, conduct toward neighbors, and criminal background. The PHA is required to share certain address and landlord-contact information with owners, and must apply consistent information-sharing policies across all families and owners, with additional protections in place for survivors of domestic violence and related offenses.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 982.307, participating owners bear the responsibility for screening and selecting voucher families—the PHA's involvement does not transfer that duty to the agency. Compliant operators typically document their screening criteria (such as rent-payment history, property-care record, and relevant criminal background) and apply them consistently to avoid fair-housing concerns. The PHA is required to provide current and prior address information and may share additional tenancy history, which owners can factor into their review process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 982.307 requires the PHA to tell you, in writing, exactly what information it shares with prospective landlords and to apply that policy uniformly to all program participants. Families who are survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking have additional protections under federal regulations that limit how their information may be used. If you believe the PHA has shared information inconsistently or improperly, tenant-rights organizations or a local legal aid office can help you understand available options, including raising concerns with the PHA or a relevant oversight body.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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