FHA Loan for a Quadplex

[Marlon Asuncion]

In my journey to find a quadplex rental property, I've been advised that, to qualify for an FHA loan, I must be an owner-occupant. At least one unit must be registered as my primary residence, which I cannot rent out. However, I can't find much more regarding the situation I'm interested in...

For the 4th unit, which I would be considered the owner-occupant, do I physically need to live there? Can I register it as my primary residence (thus not rent it out), but physically live in another state? As such, the unit would be completely empty until the one-year point at which I would then rent it out.

Is this considered legal?