HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 5-21
Refusal to Sign Consent Forms (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. If an applicant refuses to sign forms HUD-9887 or *HUD-9887-A* or the owner’s
verification forms, the owner must deny assistance.
B. If a tenant *or any member of the tenant’s family* refuses to sign the required
verification and consent forms, the owner must terminate *the household’s*
assistance. If the owner intends to terminate assistance for this reason, the
owner must follow procedures established in the lease that require the tenant to
pay the HUD-approved market rent for the unit. In a Section 202 PRAC or
Section 811 PRAC project, the tenant may be evicted if the tenant *or any
member of the tenant’s family* refuses to sign the required verification and
consent forms.
C. If a tenant is unable to sign the forms on time due to extenuating circumstances,
the owner must document the reasons for the delay in the tenant file and indicate
how and when the tenant will provide the proper signature.
Examples – Tenant Failure to Sign Consent Forms
Due to Extenuating Circumstances
Jonas and Joycelyn Hardwick were to have forms HUD-
9887 and *HUD-9887-A* signed by their adult son.
However, he was in an automobile accident and has been
in a coma.
Lydia Bailey’s husband has been temporarily assigned to
overseas duty as part of a missionary hunger-relief
program. She has signed consent forms, and the forms
have been mailed to him but have not been returned. She
reports that mail has recently been taking five or six
weeks.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 5-21 establishes that signing HUD consent and verification forms (HUD-9887 and HUD-9887-A) is a mandatory condition of receiving HUD-assisted housing. If an applicant refuses to sign, assistance must be denied; if a current tenant or any household member refuses, assistance must be terminated and the tenant may be required to pay the full HUD-approved market rent. An exception exists when a tenant cannot sign on time due to extenuating circumstances, in which case the delay and a plan for obtaining the signature must be documented in the tenant file.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 5-21, compliant operators maintain clear procedures for collecting signed HUD-9887 and HUD-9887-A forms from all applicants and household members before assistance is granted or continued. When a refusal occurs, operators follow the lease procedures that shift the tenant to the HUD-approved market rent, and in Section 202 PRAC or Section 811 PRAC properties, eviction may also be pursued. When extenuating circumstances prevent timely signing, operators document the specific reason for the delay and the expected timeline for obtaining the signature in the tenant's file.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-21 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 means that every adult member of a household receiving HUD-assisted housing is generally required to sign consent and verification forms as a condition of that assistance. If signing is genuinely impossible due to circumstances beyond the household's control—such as a medical emergency or overseas deployment—tenants have the right to have that situation documented by the owner rather than face immediate termination of assistance. Tenants who believe a termination of assistance under this provision was handled improperly may consult a tenant-rights organization, contact HUD directly, or raise the issue through any grievance or hearing process available under their lease or program.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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