HUD HOUSING COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION
PRACTICE 2026 CERTIFICATION STUDY PACK
WITH SOLVED ANSWERS
◉ The client wants to purchase a new home, but her lease might
expire before she can move into it. Which is the
best advice for the housing counselor to provide?
A- Discuss a tenancy-at-sufferance agreement with the current
landlord
B- Stay in her current unit until the landlord evicts her
C- Find a seller who will allow her to move in before closing
D- Contact local Public Housing Agencies Answer: A- Discuss a
tenancy-at-sufferance agreement with the current landlord
◉ Which tactic would be most effective for the client to encourage a
positive landlord-tenant experience during a tenant initiated early
lease termination?
A- Stop paying rent immediately
B- Request return of the security deposit
C- Leave furniture for an incoming tenant
,D- Communicate well with the landlord Answer: D- Communicate
well with the landlord
◉ Which additional information would the housing counselor need
to prepare the action plan for this client?
A- Documentation of life insurance payout
B- Client's current lease agreement
C- Documentation of household expenses
D- Listings for properties the client is interested in purchasing
Answer: Documentation of household expenses
◉ Which is the best recommendation the housing counselor should
give this client to help improve her credit score?
A- Set up automatic credit card and loan payments to ensure on time
payment
B- Apply for a loan to consolidate the credit card and auto loan
balances
C- Apply for a credit card with a lower interest rate and transfer the
balance of the current card
D- Pay more than the minimum payment each month to reduce the
credit card balance Answer: D- Pay more than the minimum
payment each month to reduce the credit card balance
,◉ Which factor would most likely impact the client's housing
affordability in the future?
A- A reduction in income when the survivor benefit runs out when
children turn 18
B- The need for a second car when the children start to drive
C- Selecting a 30-year fixed rate mortgage versus a 15-year fixed rate
mortgage
D- The cost of home repairs and maintenance Answer: A- A
reduction in income when the survivor benefit runs out when
children turn 18
◉ The client currently pays $2,050 in rent, though her mortgage
payment could be higher. Which is the most
effective strategy to be able to manage a higher payment?
A- Withdraw retirement account funds to pay down car and credit
card balances
B- Delay home purchase until the car loan is paid off
C- Consolidate car loan and credit card balances
D- Utilize savings to pay the mortgage in the future Answer: B- Delay
home purchase until the car loan is paid off
, ◉ Which was instituted by Congress to better protect home-buyers
following the most recent housing crisis?
A- Federal Trade Commission
B- National Mortgage Settlement
C- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
D- Truth In Lending Act Answer: C- Consumer Finance Protection
Bureau
◉ Which initiative encourages housing counseling agencies to
advocate that lenders operate in underserved areas?
A- Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
B- Fair Housing Initiatives Program
C- Fair Housing Testing Program
D- Fair Housing Assistance Program Answer: A- Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing
◉ Which action taken by a housing counseling agency would
affirmatively further fair housing?
A- Report potential violations to the local fair housing authority
PRACTICE 2026 CERTIFICATION STUDY PACK
WITH SOLVED ANSWERS
◉ The client wants to purchase a new home, but her lease might
expire before she can move into it. Which is the
best advice for the housing counselor to provide?
A- Discuss a tenancy-at-sufferance agreement with the current
landlord
B- Stay in her current unit until the landlord evicts her
C- Find a seller who will allow her to move in before closing
D- Contact local Public Housing Agencies Answer: A- Discuss a
tenancy-at-sufferance agreement with the current landlord
◉ Which tactic would be most effective for the client to encourage a
positive landlord-tenant experience during a tenant initiated early
lease termination?
A- Stop paying rent immediately
B- Request return of the security deposit
C- Leave furniture for an incoming tenant
,D- Communicate well with the landlord Answer: D- Communicate
well with the landlord
◉ Which additional information would the housing counselor need
to prepare the action plan for this client?
A- Documentation of life insurance payout
B- Client's current lease agreement
C- Documentation of household expenses
D- Listings for properties the client is interested in purchasing
Answer: Documentation of household expenses
◉ Which is the best recommendation the housing counselor should
give this client to help improve her credit score?
A- Set up automatic credit card and loan payments to ensure on time
payment
B- Apply for a loan to consolidate the credit card and auto loan
balances
C- Apply for a credit card with a lower interest rate and transfer the
balance of the current card
D- Pay more than the minimum payment each month to reduce the
credit card balance Answer: D- Pay more than the minimum
payment each month to reduce the credit card balance
,◉ Which factor would most likely impact the client's housing
affordability in the future?
A- A reduction in income when the survivor benefit runs out when
children turn 18
B- The need for a second car when the children start to drive
C- Selecting a 30-year fixed rate mortgage versus a 15-year fixed rate
mortgage
D- The cost of home repairs and maintenance Answer: A- A
reduction in income when the survivor benefit runs out when
children turn 18
◉ The client currently pays $2,050 in rent, though her mortgage
payment could be higher. Which is the most
effective strategy to be able to manage a higher payment?
A- Withdraw retirement account funds to pay down car and credit
card balances
B- Delay home purchase until the car loan is paid off
C- Consolidate car loan and credit card balances
D- Utilize savings to pay the mortgage in the future Answer: B- Delay
home purchase until the car loan is paid off
, ◉ Which was instituted by Congress to better protect home-buyers
following the most recent housing crisis?
A- Federal Trade Commission
B- National Mortgage Settlement
C- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
D- Truth In Lending Act Answer: C- Consumer Finance Protection
Bureau
◉ Which initiative encourages housing counseling agencies to
advocate that lenders operate in underserved areas?
A- Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
B- Fair Housing Initiatives Program
C- Fair Housing Testing Program
D- Fair Housing Assistance Program Answer: A- Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing
◉ Which action taken by a housing counseling agency would
affirmatively further fair housing?
A- Report potential violations to the local fair housing authority
