HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 6-6
Lease Term (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. Introduction
Owners and tenants should recognize that lease terms and requirements vary
across the different housing programs. An initial lease term is required when
leasing the unit, but depending on the housing program, it can range from one
month to multiple years.
Owners are required to notify tenants if the property has a HAP contract expiring
within the next 12 months. Specific information relating to an expiring HAP
contract and the required notification to the tenants can be found in HUD’s
Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook.
B. Initial Term
The requirements regarding the initial lease term are listed for each program in
*Figure 6-4*. Owners of properties with Section 8 contracts should be aware of
the expiration date of the HAP contract in relationship to the lease term listed on
the lease. In such instances where the HAP contract is less than one year, the
owner should execute a lease with a lease term equal to the remaining term on
the HAP contract.
C. Renewal Terms
The requirements regarding the renewal lease term are listed for each program in
*Figure 6-4*.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-6 establishes that lease terms in HUD-assisted housing are not uniform — they vary by program and can span anywhere from one month to several years. An initial lease term is always required when a unit is first rented, and renewal term requirements are similarly program-specific, as detailed in Figure 6-4 of the Handbook. Additionally, when a property operates under a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract set to expire within 12 months, owners must notify tenants of that upcoming expiration.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-6, compliant property owners familiarize themselves with the lease term requirements specific to their housing program by consulting Figure 6-4, since initial and renewal term lengths differ across programs. Owners with Section 8 HAP contracts pay close attention to the HAP contract expiration date relative to the lease term — when the remaining HAP contract period is less than one year, the executed lease term is generally aligned to match that remaining period. Owners also maintain a process for identifying HAP contracts expiring within 12 months and delivering the required tenant notifications in accordance with HUD's Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook.
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 § 6-6 provides that tenants in HUD-assisted housing are entitled to a written lease with an initial term appropriate to their specific program, and that renewal term requirements also apply as outlined in Figure 6-4. If a property's HAP contract is expiring within 12 months, tenants have a right to receive notice from the owner about that expiration, which can affect housing stability. Tenants who believe they have not received required notices or that their lease terms do not conform to program requirements may wish to contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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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