Authoritative sources
Every regulation and definition on this site cites back to one of these primary government or public-domain sources. We do not paraphrase operative legal language.
See /transparency for our full sourcing policy and do-not-use list.
Published by: U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) · Est. 1938
The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations is the official, continuously updated online version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). We use it as the primary source for all federal regulatory text — including HUD regulations at 24 CFR, CFPB regulations at 12 CFR, and EPA regulations at 40 CFR. The eCFR is updated daily and is the authoritative online source for current federal regulatory text.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · Est. 1965
HUD.gov publishes program handbooks, administrative notices (PIH Notices, HUD Notices), policy guidance, and official glossaries for all HUD rental-assistance programs including the Housing Choice Voucher program, Public Housing, and Project-Based Rental Assistance. We use HUD.gov for program-specific definitions, compliance guidance, and implementation timelines that supplement regulatory text.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) / National Archives and Records Administration · Est. 1936
The Federal Register is the official daily publication for proposed rules, final rules, notices, and executive orders issued by federal agencies. We use it to track HOTMA implementing regulations, HUD rulemaking, and effective dates for regulatory changes. Federal Register documents are primary authority for the intent and history of federal regulations.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives · Est. 1974
The Office of the Law Revision Counsel publishes the official codification of U.S. federal statutes as the United States Code. We cite to OLRC for statutory authority underlying all federal housing programs — including the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631), FCRA (15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.), and HOTMA (Pub. L. 114-201). OLRC is the authoritative source for current statutory text.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: Cornell Law School · Est. 1992
Cornell LII is a non-profit, public-domain legal reference operated by Cornell Law School that provides free access to U.S. federal and state law, including annotated versions of the U.S. Code, CFR, and Supreme Court decisions. We use Cornell LII as a secondary explanatory reference and for cross-linking to statutory sections; all operative legal language is sourced from primary government publications.
License: Public domain (Cornell LII materials reproduced from public records)
Published by: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · Est. 2011
The CFPB publishes guidance, examination procedures, and consumer-facing explanations for federal consumer financial laws affecting housing — including FCRA adverse action requirements, ECOA, HMDA, and RESPA. We use CFPB publications for tenant-screening definitions, adverse action notice requirements, and housing-finance terminology that intersects with federal consumer protection law.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: California Legislative Counsel · Est. 1850
Leginfo is the official California Legislative Counsel publication of the California Codes, including the Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Health and Safety Code, Government Code, and Civil Rights statutes. We use it as the primary source for California-specific housing law — including Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 (just cause), § 1954.50 (Costa-Hawkins), § 1950.5 (security deposits), and FEHA provisions in the Government Code.
License: Public domain (California government work)
Published by: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · Est. 2012
HUD Exchange is HUD's technical assistance and program resources portal, providing program-specific glossaries, compliance tools, and training materials for grantees, public housing authorities, and multifamily property owners. We use HUD Exchange for HOTMA implementation guidance, program-specific eligibility definitions, and CPD (Community Planning and Development) program terminology.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Est. 1970
The EPA publishes regulations and guidance for residential lead-based paint hazard disclosure, the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule (40 CFR Part 745), and toxic substance reporting requirements. We use EPA.gov for lead paint definitions, pre-renovation disclosure requirements, and certified renovator program requirements that apply to pre-1978 residential housing.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
Published by: U.S. Department of Justice · Est. 1990
ADA.gov is the official federal resource for Americans with Disabilities Act technical assistance, guidance documents, and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. We use ADA.gov for accessibility requirements that intersect with housing law — particularly the distinction between ADA Title III, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act's reasonable modification requirements.
License: Public domain (U.S. government work)
What we never use
We do not cite Black's Law Dictionary, Nolo, FindLaw, Avvo, LegalZoom, Wikipedia, real estate blogs, or paid databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, or Bloomberg Law. Every operative legal statement on this site traces back to the government publications and public-domain resources listed above. Read our full transparency statement →