24 C.F.R. § 247.2
§ 247.2 Definitions. (24 CFR Part 247)
Operative Text
Drug-related criminal activity means the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, use or possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use, of a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802. Eviction means the dispossession of the tenant from the leased unit as a result of the termination of the tenancy, including a termination prior to the end of a term or at the end of a term. Landlord means either the owner of the property or his representative, or the managing agent or his representative, as shall be designated by the owner. Rental agreement means all agreements, written or oral, between the landlord and tenant (and valid rules and regulations adopted by the landlord pursuant to a written agreement) relating to the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and surrounding premises. State landlord and tenant act means any state statute or local ordinance which imposes obligations on a landlord and tenant in connection with the occupancy of a dwelling unit and surrounding premises and which provides that violations of such obligations by the tenant constitute grounds for eviction. Subsidized project means a multifamily housing project (with the exception of a project owned by a cooperative housing mortgagor corporation or association) that receives the benefit of subsidy in the form of: below-market interest rates under section 221(d) (3) and (5), interest reduction payments under section 236 of the National Housing Act, or below market interest rate direct loans under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959. For purposes of this part, subsidized project also includes those units in a housing project that receive the benefit of: (1) Rental subsidy in the form of rent supplement payments under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12 U.S.C. 1701s); or (2) Housing assistance payments for project-based assistance under Section 8 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f). However, this part is not applicable to Section 8 project-based assistance under parts 880, 881, 883 and 884 of this title (except as specifically provided in those parts).
Section 247.2 of 24 CFR Part 247 establishes the foundational vocabulary that governs the rest of the regulation's tenant-protections framework. Key terms defined here include 'eviction' (covering dispossession whether it occurs mid-lease or at a lease's end), 'rental agreement' (encompassing both written and oral arrangements), and 'subsidized project' (identifying which federally assisted multifamily housing types fall under the rule's scope). The definition of 'drug-related criminal activity' ties directly to the federal Controlled Substances Act, and 'landlord' is defined broadly to include owners, their representatives, and managing agents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multifamily housing covered by 24 CFR Part 247 § 247.2 should be aware that the term 'landlord' under this provision extends to managing agents and their representatives, meaning compliance obligations can attach to property management companies acting on an owner's behalf. Because 'rental agreement' is defined to include oral agreements and valid adopted rules and regulations, compliant operators typically ensure that any rules incorporated by reference are grounded in a written agreement. Operators of projects receiving below-market interest rate financing, interest reduction payments, or Section 8 project-based assistance (with certain part-specific exceptions) should confirm whether their property meets the 'subsidized project' definition, as that determination controls whether Part 247's full tenant-protection framework applies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants living in federally subsidized multifamily housing, § 247.2 of 24 CFR Part 247 is significant because it defines the scope of who and what is covered by the regulation's protections, including the broad definition of 'eviction' that encompasses removal both during and at the end of a lease term. Tenants in projects receiving Section 8 project-based assistance, rent supplements, or below-market-rate financing may be covered by this part, though certain project types under parts 880, 881, 883, and 884 are excluded. Tenants who believe a landlord's termination notice or conduct implicates these definitions can explore their options by contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a HUD-approved housing counselor, or a legal aid office familiar with federal housing regulations.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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