The Trainer

Responding to Household Composition Changes; Setting Smoke Detector Policy

In this month's issue, we discussed what you need to know about complying with HUD rules regarding changes in household composition. In general, HUD requires that, when there are changes in household composition, you need to recalculate the household's income and rent and possibly require the family to transfer to a larger unit at your site. According to HUD rules, residents must report when: the family moves out; the family proposes to move a new member in; a formerly unemployed adult obtains employment; and the family's income increases by $2,000 or more per month. Remember, if residents fail to report this information, and you find out about it, you must notify the resident in writing of the lease clause violation and give the resident 10 days to respond and get the interim recertification started.

In our feature article on developing a smoke detector policy that complies with HUD rules, we discussed how important it is to have a smoke detector policy in place that includes a requirement that residents sign a printed acknowledgement that a detector is in operation in their unit. In an important legal case, Fields v. SandW Realty Assocs., a court of appeals dismissed a case in which residents claimed that the owner had been negligent because he failed to install a smoke detector in their unit. Reason: The owner produced a document signed by the residents acknowledging the installation of the smoke detector.

TRAINER'S QUIZ

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the questions below has only one correct answer. On a separate sheet of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you have chosen—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

When you learn that a household has added a new member, you must recertify the household and recalculate the rent, no matter whether it will increase or decrease. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #2

Fill in the blank: If the size of a household increases, HUD says that you need to evaluate whether the unit as presently occupied might be _______________.

1. Too much for you to handle administratively.

2. Above census guidelines.

3. Overoccupied.

QUESTION #3

If you determine that a transfer is needed due to overcrowding, you must notify the household about the need to transfer units. Which of the following must you indicate in your written notice?

1. That the lease requires unit transfer.

2. The reason why the current unit is no longer appropriate.

3. A moving deadline.

4. All of the above.

QUESTION #4

If it is determined that a household must move because of overoccupancy and the household does not comply, the household will not suffer any detrimental consequences. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #5

Fill in the blank: You should have the resident sign the smoke detector policy at the time of the _______________.

1. Move-out inspection.

2. Move-in inspection.

3. On any weekend.

QUESTION #6

A good time to have residents sign the smoke detector policy is during annual or other regularly scheduled inspections. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #7

Fill in the blank: When residents make a repair request, that's a good time to _______________.

1. Make sure that the smoke detector is working.

2. Ask the resident whether he has checked to make sure the smoke detector is working.

3. Ask the resident to discuss the smoke detector policy with you.

QUESTION #8

It's good policy to let residents use batteries in smoke detectors for their own personal use. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.