Finding 1240688 (2024-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-10-19

AI Summary

  • Issue: Security deposits were not returned within 30 days of tenant move-out, violating HUD guidelines.
  • Impact: The Company is out of compliance with HUD requirements due to inadequate internal controls.
  • Next Steps: Implement stronger monitoring controls to ensure timely returns of security deposits.

Finding Text

Criteria: The Company is required to follow HUD's guidelines and procedures for returning tenant security deposits within 30 days of the date the tenant moved out. Condition: Security deposits were not returned within 30 days of the tenant's move-out date within the audit year. Cause: Internal controls at the Company are not properly designed to ensure the timely return of tenant security deposits. Effect or Potential Effect: The Project is not in compliance with HUD guidelines. Recommendations: The Company should implement controls to monitor the timely return of tenant security deposits. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management has acknowledged the delay and believes it was beyond management's reasonable control since the prior auditor was responsible for the delays for the years ended June 30, 2021-2023. Management has started to implement more controls on this to ensure a timely return of the tenant security deposits.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan: Management acknowledges the deficiency regarding the timely return of tenant security deposits and will strengthen its internal controls to ensure that security deposits are processed and returned within the required timeframe. The following corrective actions will be implemented: 1. Move-Out Tracking: Management will maintain a tracking process for all tenant move-outs, including the move-out date, security deposit balance, applicable deductions, and required refund date. 2. Timely Processing of Security Deposits: Upon notification of a tenant move-out, responsible staff will promptly review the tenant account, determine any allowable deductions, and process the remaining security deposit for return within the applicable required timeframe. 3. Management Review and Monitoring: A designated supervisory employee will periodically review outstanding tenant security deposits and the move-out tracking report to identify deposits approaching their required return date and ensure timely processing. 4. Documentation and Record Retention: Documentation supporting the calculation, deductions, refund, and date of return of each security deposit will be maintained in the tenant's records to demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1240687 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.195 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) $2.37M