Okla. Admin. Code § 330 § 330:70-7-5
Procedures to be followed by OHFA
Operative Text
(a) OHFA will conduct the criminal background research following the procedures set forth in the Final Rule. (b) OHFA will disclose information obtained pursuant to criminal background research to an Owner only upon a showing by said Owner that the information will be used to screen applicants or is being requested in connection with lease enforcement or judicial eviction proceedings. (c) The Owner must certify in writing that the Owner will use the records disclosed only for the purpose of screening applicants or for the purpose of lease enforcement or eviction. (d) The request for criminal background research must also include the Owner's standards for prohibiting admission of criminals, the Owner's standards for evicting criminals, or the Owner's standard for lease enforcement, as applicable. (e) OHFA will, upon receipt of any criminal records, review the records to determine that whether the records received may a basis for eviction from a Covered Unit. Prior to the release of any information to an Owner, the Owner must also certify, in writing, that the information requested will be kept confidential and only used in the manner, and to the extent permitted, in the Final Rule. (f) OHFA will rely upon the Owner's certifications.
Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) § 330:70-7-5 establishes the process by which OHFA handles criminal background research in the context of federally assisted housing. Under this provision, OHFA may only share criminal record information with a property owner when the owner demonstrates a legitimate, specific purpose—namely screening applicants, enforcing a lease, or pursuing a judicial eviction. Before any records are released, the owner must provide written certifications confirming both the intended use and a commitment to keeping the information confidential, consistent with the applicable Final Rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 330:70-7-5, property owners seeking criminal background information from OHFA must be prepared to document their purpose in writing before any records are released. A compliant operator typically maintains written standards for applicant screening, lease enforcement, and eviction of individuals with criminal records, and submits those standards alongside any request. Owners also provide written certifications that disclosed records will be held confidential and used only in the manner permitted by the Final Rule, since OHFA relies on those certifications when deciding whether to release information.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 330:70-7-5 limits when and how a property owner can obtain criminal background information from OHFA, which provides a layer of procedural protection for housing applicants and current residents. Owners must certify in writing that any records received will be used only for screening, lease enforcement, or eviction proceedings—and must keep that information confidential—before OHFA will release anything. Tenants who believe an owner has misused or improperly obtained criminal record information may wish to contact OHFA directly, consult a tenant-rights organization, or explore whether the owner's conduct is consistent with the Final Rule's requirements.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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