The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development mission, which oversees the Rural Housing Service, released two new resources to ensure tenants of USDA-financed rental properties benefit from fair housing practices. The first, a “Tenant Rights and Responsibilities” brochure, covers tenant responsibilities to a property, fellow tenants, the owner, and property management. The second, a “Multifamily Housing Tenant Grievance Procedures FAQ” resource, aims to ensure renters and rental applicants know their existing rights and protections under the grievance process.
USDA framed the release of the materials as a continuation of the aims set out by the Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights released last year by the White House. In an announcement, USDA connected the release of the materials to its commitment to “advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to protect and educate renters and strengthen tenant protections across rural America.” USDA is requesting that multifamily property owners attach a copy of the Tenant Grievance Procedures FAQ as an addendum to their posted grievance process in all common areas visible to residents and visitors. USDA is also requiring multifamily housing property owners to place the Tenant Rights and Responsibilities brochure in common areas visible to residents and visitors. Both documents must be provided to tenants at the time of application, lease signing, or move-in.
Read the Tenant Rights and Responsibilities brochure and Multifamily Housing Tenant Grievance Procedures FAQ resource.