982.507—Rent to owner: Reasonable rent.

(a) PHA determination. (1) The PHA may not approve a lease until the PHA determines that the initial rent to owner is a reasonable rent.
(2) The PHA must redetermine the reasonable rent:
(i) Before any increase in the rent to owner;
(ii) If there is a five percent decrease in the published FMR in effect 60 days before the contract anniversary (for the unit size rented by the family) as compared with the FMR in effect 1 year before the contract anniversary; or
(iii) If directed by HUD.
(3) The PHA may also redetermine the reasonable rent at any other time.
(4) At all times during the assisted tenancy, the rent to owner may not exceed the reasonable rent as most recently determined or redetermined by the PHA.
(b) Comparability. The PHA must determine whether the rent to owner is a reasonable rent in comparison to rent for other comparable unassisted units. To make this determination, the PHA must consider:
(1) The location, quality, size, unit type, and age of the contract unit; and
(2) Any amenities, housing services, maintenance and utilities to be provided by the owner in accordance with the lease.
(c) Owner certification of rents charged for other units. By accepting each monthly housing assistance payment from the PHA, the owner certifies that the rent to owner is not more than rent charged by the owner for comparable unassisted units in the premises. The owner must give the PHA information requested by the PHA on rents charged by the owner for other units in the premises or elsewhere.

Code of Federal Regulations

[63 FR 23861, Apr. 30, 1998. Redesignated at 64 FR 26648, May 14, 1999]