Section 8 legal question

[Ben Narro]

So I have read that you can not rent to a family member on section 8. The section 8 website defines a family member as (father, mother, brother, sister, grandparents). I inquired about renting to someone who does not meet any of those and was told it was still considered family. Say I wanted to rent to a cousin; would I not be legal since it does not say I can’t ? I feel that when law is involved the verbiage has to be listed to the “T” and if not then it does not apply. Can anyone point me in the correct direction. I am in Tx.

[Patti Robertson]

Below is the portion of the HAP contract you would have to sign as the Owner/Payee. The contract does not say "family member". It lists specific relationships, of which cousin is not included. I would have no problem signing a HAP agreement and renting to a cousin. It is not a violation of the contract. If HUD intended for it to mean blood relation, they would have said that.