Are owners or agents of properties receiving project-based Section 8, Section 202, or Section 811 assistance allowed to require tenants to wear face coverings while at the assisted property and/or treat a tenant’s failure to wear a face covering as a lease violation?
Owners and agents may amend their lease terms and/or house rules in accordance with state and local law and HUD requirements (see chapter 6 of HUD Handbook 4350.3 for guidance on lease amendments and house rules) and Notice H12-22. Section 6-9.B.1.a of the Handbook states that house rules should be “within the bounds of common sense, […and] not excessive or extreme.” Notice H 2012-22 states that owners and agents must notify existing tenants, who have completed their initial lease terms, of modifications to the House Rules 30 days prior to implementation. Tenants who have not yet completed their initial lease terms must be notified 60 days prior to the end of their lease terms.
