24 C.F.R. § 884.217
§ 884.217 Maintenance, operation, and inspections. (24 CFR Part 884)
Operative Text
(a) Maintenance and operation. The Owner shall maintain and operate the project consistent with 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and shall provide all the services, maintenance, and utilities which the Owner agrees to provide under the Contract, subject to abatement of housing assistance payments or other applicable remedies if the Owner fails to meet these obligations. (b) Inspection prior to occupancy. Prior to occupancy of any unit by a Family, the Owner and the Family shall inspect the unit. On forms prescribed by HUD, the Owner and Family shall certify, that they have inspected the unit and the owner shall certify that the unit is compliant with 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and the criteria provided in the prescribed forms. Copies of these reports shall be kept on file by the Owner for at least 3 years, and may be required to be electronically submitted to HUD. (c) Periodic inspections. HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) will inspect or cause to be inspected the contract units and related facilities in accordance with the physical inspection requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and at such other times (including prior to initial occupancy and renting of any unit) as HUD (or the PHA) may determine to be necessary to assure that the Owner is meeting the obligation to maintain the units in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and to provide the agreed upon utilities and other services. (d) Units with health and safety hazards. If HUD (or the PHA, as appropriate) notifies the Owner that the Owner has failed to maintain a unit that in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and the Owner fails to take corrective action within the time prescribed by notice, HUD (or the PHA) may exercise any of its rights or remedies under the Contract, including abatement of housing assistance payments, even if the Family continues to occupy the unit. If, however, the Family wishes to be rehoused in another unit with Section 8 assistance and HUD (or the PHA) does not have other Section 8 funds for such purposes, HUD (or the PHA) may use the abated housing assistance payments for the purpose of rehousing the Family in another unit. Where this is done, the Owner shall be notified that the Owner will be entitled to resumption of housing assistance payments for the vacated unit if: (1) The unit is restored to in accordance with 24 CFR part 5, subpart G; (2) The Family is willing to and does move back to the restored dwelling unit; and (3) A deduction is made for the expenses incurred by the Family for both moves.
Under 24 CFR Part 884 § 884.217, owners of assisted housing projects are required to keep their units and facilities in a condition that meets federal housing quality standards, provide agreed-upon services and utilities, and conduct joint move-in inspections with families before occupancy — with signed certifications kept on file for at least three years. HUD or the applicable Public Housing Authority (PHA) may conduct periodic inspections at any time to verify compliance. When an owner fails to correct identified health and safety deficiencies within the prescribed timeframe, housing assistance payments can be reduced or suspended even while a family remains in the unit, and those withheld funds may be redirected to help rehouse the family elsewhere.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to 24 CFR Part 884 § 884.217 generally maintain units in continuous compliance with the physical condition standards in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G, and document that compliance through HUD-prescribed inspection forms completed jointly with each incoming family before move-in. Compliant operators retain those signed inspection certifications on file for a minimum of three years and remain prepared to submit them electronically to HUD upon request. When HUD or a PHA issues a notice of deficiency, operators acting consistently with § 884.217 address the identified conditions within the timeframe specified in the notice to avoid abatement of housing assistance payments and potential contract remedies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 884 § 884.217, families living in Section 8 assisted units have the right to participate in a formal inspection of their unit before moving in and to co-sign the certification documenting the unit's condition. If a unit later develops health or safety problems that the owner fails to correct after official notice, the provision allows HUD or the PHA to withhold the owner's housing assistance payments and, if a family wishes to move, potentially use those withheld funds to help secure alternative Section 8 housing. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet required standards may consider contacting their local PHA, reaching out to a HUD field office, or connecting with a tenant-rights organization familiar with Section 8 program requirements to understand available options under § 884.217.
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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