HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 7-5
Timing of Annual Recertifications (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
HUD guidance — not codified law
In Force
Verified 9/24/2026 · Next check 10/1/2026
effective 9/24/2026FederalSection 8 Project-BasedOperative Text
HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 7-5
A. Key Requirement
Annual recertifications must be completed by the tenant’s recertification
anniversary date.
B. Determining Recertification Anniversary Dates
1. The recertification anniversary date is the first day of the month in which
the tenant moved into the property. A tenant moving in with no
assistance payment, such as a Section 236 or a Section 221(d)(3) BMIR
tenant, who later begins receiving assistance payments, will have his or
her annual recertification date changed to the first day of the month that
the tenant began receiving assistance from HUD.
HUD Multifamily Occupancy Handbook 7-6 6/07
Chapter 7: Recertification, Unit Transfers,
and Gross Rent Changes
2. The recertification anniversary date does not change if a tenant transfers
from one unit to another unit at the same property.
C. HUD Approval of Alternative Recertification Anniversary Dates
With the approval of the HUD Field Office or the Contract Administrator, owners
may establish alternative recertification anniversary dates. Examples of
acceptable reasons for requesting alternative dates include the following:
1. In properties for the elderly and/or the disabled, owners may request that
the recertification anniversary date be based on the issuance of the cost-
of-living adjustments for the Social Security or other assistance programs.
2. For coordination purposes, owners may request that the recertification
anniversary date for all tenants be based on the anniversary date of the
assistance payment contract for the property.
3. For coordination purposes, owners may request that the recertification
anniversary date be assigned by building or unit number to better
coordinate recertification and inspection activities.
HUD Multifamily Occupancy Handbook 7-7 6/07
Chapter 7: Recertification, Unit Transfers,
and Gross Rent Changes
Examples – Recertification Anniversary Dates
New Tenants
If a family moves in on September 1, its anniversary date is September 1.
If a family moves in on September 15, its anniversary date is September 1.
If a family moves in on September 30, its anniversary date is September 1.
Existing Tenants Who Receive a New Form of Assistance
The Johnson family moves in on April 15 and pays the market rent. During the following
January, the family qualifies to receive Section 8 assistance at the property and begins
receiving rental assistance on February 1. The owner must set the Johnson’s anniversary date
at February 1.
The Murray family moves into a Section 236 project on April 15 and pays the Section 236
market rent established for the property. As a market renter, the Murrays are not required to
complete annual recertifications. During October of the following year, the Murrays request that
the owner complete an initial certification to determine their eligibility for paying less than the
market rent. The family begins paying $42 less than the market rent on November 1. The new
anniversary date is November 1.
The Chiu family moves into a Section 236 project on April 15 and pays the Section 236 basic
rent. The owner must set the family’s anniversary date at April 1. During the following July, the
Finnigans qualify for one of the RAP slots at the property and begin to receive rental assistance
on August 1. The owner must set a new anniversary date for the Finnigans of August 1.
The Padilla family moves into a BMIR project on June 15 and pays the BMIR rent. The owner
must set the anniversary date for the family at June 1. During August of the following year, the
Riddles qualify for the Rent Supplement Program at the property and begin to receive rental
assistance on September 1. The owner must set a new anniversary date for the Riddles of
September 1.
The Kreutz family moves into a BMIR project on July 15 and pays the BMIR rent. The owner
must set the anniversary date for the family at July 1. During the annual recertification process
two years later the owner determines the Kreutz’s income to be more than 110% of the income
limit and the family begins paying 110% of the BMIR rent. During the following December, the
Kreutzes request that the owner complete a new certification to determine their eligibility to pay
the BMIR rent. The recertification results show that they are eligible and the family begins
paying the BMIR rent on January 1. The owner must set a new anniversary date for the
Kreutzes at January 1.Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Effective Timeline
Current
Sep 24, 2026
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Related Rules
§ 888.111
§ 888.111 Fair market rents for existing housing: Applicability.
§ 888.201
§ 888.201 Purpose.
§ 888.202
§ 888.202 Manner of publication.