If You Rent From Hudson Homes Management

Steps to take

1. 1.

   VAWA protects survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in federally assisted housing — including Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers. You generally cannot be evicted or denied housing because you are a victim.

2. 2.

   In covered housing, the provider must give you the Notice of Occupancy Rights (Form HUD-5380) and the Certification form (Form HUD-5382) WHEN you receive an eviction or termination notice and before termination. HUD updated these forms in 2025 (current versions carry an OMB expiration of Jan 31, 2028) — check that what you received is current.

3. 3.

   If your Notice to Quit or eviction did NOT include the required VAWA notice, that omission can be a defense. A Massachusetts Housing Court dismissed an HHM eviction in 2026 on exactly this ground.

4. 4.

   Save every notice and record what was — and was not — attached to it.

5. 5.

   Tell a tenant attorney or legal aid right away that you are a survivor and want to assert VAWA protections; you can raise a reasonable-accommodation request at any time, even during an eviction.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Verify the notice is in writing and states the reason. "Property sale" does not automatically terminate your lease — you have rights through your lease end date.

2. 2.

   Check your state's notice requirements. Most states require 30–90 days written notice for non-renewal. Some states require longer for families with children or Section 8 holders.

3. 3.

   Document the date received and keep the original letter.

4. 4.

   Do NOT vacate before your lease end date unless you choose to. Vacating early may forfeit protections.

5. 5.

   Contact a tenant rights attorney or legal aid organization immediately.

6. 6.

   If you are a Section 8 holder: contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to understand your rights under your Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Gather all documentation: move-out notice (with date), any confirmation from HHM, move-out photos, key return receipts, forwarding address communications.

2. 2.

   Request an itemized statement in writing immediately. State law in most HHM operating states requires itemized statements within 14–30 days.

3. 3.

   Do not pay charges you dispute without first obtaining and reviewing the itemized statement.

4. 4.

   File a formal dispute in writing via certified mail to HHM's address, stating each charge you dispute and why.

5. 5.

   File a BBB complaint: bbb.org/file-a-complaint/0875-91053918

6. 6.

   File a state AG consumer protection complaint in your state.

7. 7.

   If the debt goes to collections: dispute it in writing with the collection agency within 30 days of first contact. Under the FDCPA, they must verify the debt before continuing collection.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Document that access was removed: screenshot the login error with timestamp.

2. 2.

   Send all move-out documentation (photos, video, forwarding address) via certified mail AND email to the property manager.

3. 3.

   Request alternative submission method in writing.

4. 4.

   This documents that HHM denied you the ability to submit move-out evidence — relevant if charges are later disputed.

5. 5.

   Include this documented portal removal in any BBB complaint or legal action.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Submit maintenance requests in writing via the portal AND via email to your property manager. Keep copies.

2. 2.

   If the issue affects health or safety (mold, sewage, no heat in winter, broken locks): document the health/safety risk explicitly in your written request.

3. 3.

   If unresolved after written notice, contact your local housing code enforcement or building inspector.

4. 4.

   Research your state's "repair and deduct" law: some states allow tenants to hire a repair contractor and deduct the cost from rent if the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time.

5. 5.

   Document every communication attempt: date, method, who you spoke with, what was said.

6. 6.

   If health impacts are documented by a physician, keep those records — they may be relevant in future legal proceedings.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have 30 days from the collection agency's first contact to request debt verification in writing.

2. 2.

   The agency must stop collection activity until they provide verification. Send your dispute via certified mail.

3. 3.

   Simultaneously dispute the collection with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) as "disputed — awaiting verification."

4. 4.

   File a CFPB complaint against the collection agency if they continue collecting without verifying.

5. 5.

   Document that you never received an itemized statement from HHM — this is relevant to whether the underlying debt is valid.

Steps to take

1. 1.

   Contact a tenant attorney immediately. In many states, if a property goes into foreclosure, tenants have specific rights under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) — a federal law requiring at least 90 days notice before a tenant must vacate a foreclosed property.

2. 2.

   Contact your state AG's consumer protection office.

3. 3.

   Document all rent payments. If you paid rent to a landlord on a property already in foreclosure, you may have claims against HHM.

4. 4.

   Check your county recorder's website for foreclosure filings on your property address.