24 C.F.R. § 983.101
§ 983.101 Housing quality standards. (24 CFR Part 983)
Operative Text
(a) HQS applicability. As defined in § 983.3, HQS refers to the minimum quality standards developed by HUD in accordance with 24 CFR 5.703 of this title for housing assisted under the PBV program, including any variations approved by HUD for the PHA under 24 CFR 5.705(a)(3). (b) Requirements for special housing types. For special housing types assisted under the PBV program, HQS applies to the PBV program except as specified in 24 CFR part 982, subpart M. Provisions contained within 24 CFR part 982 that are inapplicable to the PBV program pursuant to § 983.2 are also inapplicable to special housing types under the PBV program. (c) Lead-based paint requirements. The Lead-based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821-4846), the Residential Lead-based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851-4856), and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R, apply to the PBV program. (d) HQS enforcement. Parts 982 and 983 of this chapter do not create any right of the family or any party, other than HUD or the PHA, to require enforcement of the HQS requirements or to assert any claim against HUD or the PHA for damages, injunction, or other relief for alleged failure to enforce the HQS. (e) Additional PHA quality and design requirements. This section establishes the minimum federal housing quality standards for PBV housing. However, the PHA may elect to establish additional requirements for quality, architecture, or design of PBV housing.
Section 983.101 establishes that Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set the federal floor for the physical condition of units assisted under the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, drawing on HUD's minimum standards at 24 CFR 5.703. The rule extends HQS to special housing types with certain modifications, and separately incorporates federal lead-based paint laws and regulations. Notably, the provision explicitly states that HQS enforcement authority rests solely with HUD and the PHA — neither families nor other parties gain a private right to sue for damages or other relief based on alleged HQS failures under this section. PHAs retain the option to layer on stricter quality, architectural, or design requirements beyond the federal minimum.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 983.101, property owners participating in the PBV program are expected to maintain units that meet HQS as defined by HUD, and must also comply with applicable federal lead-based paint requirements under 24 CFR part 35. Operators should be aware that the PHA administering the program may have adopted additional quality, architecture, or design standards beyond the federal HQS floor, and compliance with those local requirements is also part of a compliant PBV tenancy. Staying current with both HUD's baseline standards and any PHA-specific overlays is a routine part of managing PBV-assisted units under § 983.101.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 983.101 sets the minimum physical condition standards that PBV-assisted housing must meet, and it also incorporates federal lead-based paint protections that apply to the program. The provision explicitly limits enforcement of HQS to HUD and the PHA — meaning families do not have a direct legal claim under Parts 982 or 983 for alleged HQS failures — but this does not prevent tenants from reporting concerns to their local PHA or a HUD field office. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards may also find it useful to connect with a local tenant-rights organization or housing authority to understand what complaint or inspection processes are available under § 983.101.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.