usc 12 § 1701z–12
Housing access (BANKS AND BANKING (12 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The Secretary shall require any purchaser of a multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary which is sold on or after , to agree not to refuse unreasonably to lease a vacant dwelling unit in the project which rents for an amount not greater than the fair market rent for a comparable unit in the area as determined by the Secretary under to a holder of a certificate of eligibility under that section solely because of such prospective tenant’s status as a certificate holder.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 1701z–12, when the federal government (through the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development) sells a multifamily housing project it owns, the buyer of that project must agree not to unreasonably turn away prospective tenants simply because those tenants hold a certificate of eligibility (such as a housing choice voucher). This obligation applies to vacant units whose rent does not exceed the fair market rent for comparable units in the area, as determined by the Secretary. The rule is designed to prevent voucher-based discrimination in federally sold multifamily housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators who acquire a multifamily housing project from HUD under 12 U.S.C. § 1701z–12 are generally expected to honor the non-discrimination commitment made at the time of purchase by actively considering certificate holders as eligible applicants for vacant units priced at or below the applicable fair market rent. Compliant operators typically document their leasing decisions with objective, non-status-based reasons whenever a certificate holder is not offered a unit. Maintaining clear, consistent written leasing criteria helps demonstrate that any denial was based on legitimate factors rather than a prospective tenant's certificate status.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 1701z–12, if you hold a certificate of eligibility and are seeking to rent a vacant unit in a HUD-sold multifamily project at or below the fair market rent, the property owner is prohibited from unreasonably refusing to lease to you solely on the basis of that certificate status. If you believe you have been turned away for that reason, options can include filing a complaint with HUD or a local fair housing agency, or raising the violation through available administrative channels. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with federal housing programs can help you understand what documentation and processes may be relevant to your situation.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.