HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 6-27
Briefing with New Tenants (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. Overview
HUD does not require a briefing with residents prior to occupancy, but it is good
practice for managers to incorporate this briefing as a part of their routine
process. Holding a meeting prior to occupancy helps an owner ensure that new
tenants understand the terms of the lease. It also gives the owner an opportunity
to relay important information about resident rights, lead-based paint disclosure,
house rules, and conditions for termination of assistance and tenancy. At the
same time, information provided during tenant briefing topics gives tenants a
clear understanding of the owner’s responsibilities and better enables tenants to
fulfill their own responsibilities. The briefing gives the tenant an opportunity to
ask questions and discuss the information being presented.
B. Briefing Topics
1. The briefing may cover a variety of topics. The following list identifies
topics related to lease requirements that are important to discuss with the
tenant:
a. Signatures;
b. Term of lease;
c. Annual/interim recertifications;
d. Rent;
e. Security deposit
f. Lease attachments, when applicable (e.g., HUD-50059, HUD-
50059-A, move-in inspection report, house rules, lead-based paint
disclosure form, pet rules, live-in aide, *VAWA addendum*);
g. Other charges;
h. Maintenance/damages;
i. Rights and responsibilities: At move-in and annually at
recertification, owners are required to provide the head of
household with a copy of the Resident Rights and Responsibilities
brochure reissued by HUD in the fall of 1998. The brochure is
available in 10 languages through the HUD Multifamily
Clearinghouse at 800-685-8470 *and HUD’s LEP website at
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/lep.xml;*
j. *EIV & You Brochure. Owners are required to provide applicants
at the time of selection from the waiting list or final application
processing and tenants annually at recertification a copy of the
EIV & You brochure. The brochure is posted on the Multifamily
EIV website and is also available through the HUD Multifamily
Clearinghouse at 800-685-8470.*
k. Penalties for fraud;
l. Termination of assistance;
m. Termination of tenancy; and
n. General rules.
2. Exhibit 6-6 provides examples of more detailed information that may be
provided to the tenant during the briefing.
C. Conducting the Briefing Meeting
If owners decide to conduct a briefing with new tenants:
1. They are advised to conduct the briefing before the tenant signs the lease
to make sure that the tenant has a good understanding of his/her
obligations and responsibilities prior to move-in.
2. They must make sure that the presentation is clear. If at all possible, it is
suggested that the presenter use visual and media aids such as slide
presentations and charts to conduct the briefing. *Owners must ensure
that there are appropriate means to communicate with hearing and/or
speech impaired individuals. In addition, information may also have to be
conveyed in languages other than English for LEP persons, in
accordance with HUD guidance available on HUD’s LEP website at
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/lep.xml.*
3. It would also be beneficial for the tenant to receive an information packet
that contains handouts summarizing important topics covered during the
briefing. If applicable, forms can also be given to the residents during the
briefing.
4. Preferably, the briefing does not take place the same day the tenant signs
the lease. This way the tenant will have time to think of questions
regarding the lease.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-27 describes a recommended—but generally not required—pre-occupancy briefing process for HUD-assisted multifamily housing. The provision outlines a broad set of topics that such a briefing may cover, including lease terms, rent, security deposits, resident rights, fraud penalties, and termination conditions. Two specific obligations are embedded within the guidance: owners must provide the Resident Rights and Responsibilities brochure at move-in and annually at recertification, and must provide the EIV & You brochure to applicants and tenants at recertification. Owners who do conduct briefings are expected to ensure accessibility for individuals with hearing or speech impairments and for those with limited English proficiency.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-27, property owners and managers of HUD-assisted multifamily housing are encouraged to hold a pre-occupancy briefing as a standard part of their move-in process, ideally before the lease is signed so tenants have time to review and ask questions. Regardless of whether a formal briefing is held, owners are required to distribute the HUD Resident Rights and Responsibilities brochure at move-in and annually at recertification, and to provide the EIV & You brochure to applicants and tenants at recertification. When briefings are conducted, compliant operators generally ensure the presentation is accessible—using visual aids where helpful and arranging for communication accommodations for hearing- or speech-impaired individuals and for limited English proficiency (LEP) residents in accordance with HUD's LEP guidance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-27 establishes that tenants in HUD-assisted multifamily housing are entitled to receive the Resident Rights and Responsibilities brochure at move-in and each year at recertification, as well as the EIV & You brochure, which explains how income verification information is used. If a pre-occupancy briefing is offered, the provision indicates it should cover key topics such as lease terms, rent, security deposits, house rules, and conditions under which assistance or tenancy may be terminated. Tenants who believe required materials were not provided, or who have concerns about accessibility of communications, may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or reach out to HUD directly through the Multifamily Clearinghouse at 800-685-8470 to understand available options.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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