Any household member who has moved in or out; All assets that you or your adult housemates own, or any assets that were sold in the last 2 years for less than their full value.
Prevent fraudulent schemes through these steps: Don't pay any money to file your application; Don't pay any money to move up on the waiting list; Don't pay for anything not covered by your lease; Get receipts for any money you do pay; Get a written explanation for any money you are required to pay besides rent, such as maintenance charges. Report Abuse: If you know anyone who has falsified an application, or who tries to persuade you to make false statements, report him or her to the manager. If you cannot report to your manager, call your local or state USDA office at 1 (800) 670-6553, or write: USDA, STOP 0782, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250.
If the grievance is not resolved, the tenant must request a hearing within 10 days of receipt of the meet- ing findings. The parties will then select a hearing panel or hearing officer to govern the hearing. All parties are notified of the decision 10 days after the hearing. When a Grievance Is Legitimate The landlord must determine if a grievance is within the established rules for the program. For example, "I want to file a complaint because the manager doesn't speak to me" is not a legitimate complaint. However, "I want to file a complaint because the manager isn't maintaining the property according to USDA guidelines" is a legiti- mate complaint. Below are examples of cases in which tenants may and may not file a complaint.
A complaint may be filed A complaint may not be filed with the owner/management with the owner/management if: if: There is a modification of the USDA has authorized a pro- lease, or changes in the rules or posed rent change. rent that are not authorized by
If You Disagree With a Decision
Tenants may file a grievance in writing with the complex owner in response to the owner's actions, or failure to act, that result in a denial, significant reduction, or termi- nation of benefits. Grievances may also be filed when a tenant disputes the owner's notice of proposed adverse
The complex owner must notify tenants in writing about any proposed actions that may have adverse conse- quences, such as denial of occupancy and changes in the occupancy rules or lease. The written notice must give specific reasons for the proposed action, and must also advise tenants of the "right to respond to the notice within 10 calendar days after the date of the notice" and of "the right to a hearing." Housing complexes in areas with a concentration of non-English-speaking people must send notices in English and in the majority non- English language.
A tenant believes that he/sheThe owner or management fails to maintain the property in a has been discriminated against decent, safe, and sanitary man- because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, familialner. status, or disability. Discrim- ination complaints should be filed with USDA and/or the Department of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), not with the owner/manage- ment. The complex has formed a ten-The owner violates a lease pro- vision or occupancy rule. ant's association and all parties have agreed to use the associa- tion to settle grievances. USDA has required a change in the complex. the rules and proper notices have been given. The tenant is in violation of the lease and the result is termina- tion of tenancy. There are disputes between tenants that do not involve the owner/management. Tenants are displaced or other adverse effects occur as a result of loan prepayment.
A tenant is denied admission to
USDA believes that the best way to resolve grievances is through an informal meeting between tenants and the landlord or owner. Once the owner learns about a tenant grievance, the process should begin with an informal meeting between the two parties. Owners must offer to meet with tenants to discuss the griev- ance within 10 calendar days of receipt of the com- plaint. USDA encourages owners and tenants to try to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution to the problem at the meeting.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all pro- grams Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com- munication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.