How to Pass
Your Inspection
the First Time
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Housing Quality Standards
Overview of HQS Inspection Responsibilities
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Reference Materials
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HUD Housing Inspection Manual
CHA HQS Inspection Guidebook
24CFR35 (Lead-Based Paint)
Housing Choice Voucher Handbook (April 2001)
CHA Administrative Plan
HUD Inspection Form 52580A
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What You Should Expect
from CHA Inspectors
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Courtesy
Consistency
Responsiveness
Integrity
Professionalism
Confidentiality
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Inspection Responsibilities
• Inspect units
• Provide results to the Participant and Owner
• Communicate next steps or other concerns with
Participant and Owner
• Never deviate from the standards
• Understand that responsibility translates
into liability
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Types of Inspections
• Initial Inspection
― The first inspection conducted, it must be cleared with
no deficiencies before consummation of the lease.
• Complaint (Special) Inspection
― Only for emergencies where a situation or condition poses an
immediate threat to the health and safety of the household
― Conducted the same day that the violation is reported
― Complaint can be made by the Participant, Owner, household
member or anyone else that has knowledge of unsafe living
conditions in the unit (Housing Voucher Handbook April 2001)
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Types of Inspections
• Annual (Re-inspection) Inspection
― Conducted every year to ensure continued quality in
the living conditions of the Participant
― Deficiencies should be noted as to whether they are
normal wear and tear or Participant-caused
At this time:
― Any requests for annual rent increase are negotiated
― CHA-approved rent increases are certified to still
be reasonable
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Types of Inspections
• Quality Control and CHA Quality Assurance
― A file sample is used, as with any other quality
control reviews
― Conducted by CVR Quality Control and CHA Quality
Assurance personnel
― Participant and Owner are notified
― Results will be compared with original checklists
― Results are used as a training tool
― Discuss with staff to aid overall consistency
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Roles of the Inspector
Public Relations Officer
Mediator
Negotiator
Inspector
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Inspection Dispositions
• Fail
― If one item fails, the entire inspection fails.
• Pass/Comment
― When conditions meet HQS/comment(s)
― When conditions are less than perfect
• Inconclusive
― When you are not sure an item passes and need more
information
― Inconclusive items must be resolved before inspection
can be closed
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Inspection Dispositions
• Unit Failure
― The unit must fail if one item fails.
• Corrective Action
― An inspection summary must be given to the Participant and
Owner.
• Deadlines
― Depending on the severity of the deficiency repair deadlines
could range from 1 – 30 days.
• Re-inspect
― It is mandatory that failed units be re-inspected.
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Room Requirements
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Living Room
* The unit must have a room for sleeping, which in
an efficiency unit is the living room.
* Local code denotes that the size of the bedroom
must be 70 square feet and that the location of the
rooms is the Participant’s preference
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Electrical Hazards
Ensure the
Participant is not
exposed to
electrical hazards.
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Electrical Hazards
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Electrical Hazards
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Electrical Hazards
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Security
To reduce the risk
of burglary and
other unlawful entry
into dwellings, all
windows and doors
accessible from the
outside must be
lockable.
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Window Security
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Exterior Door Security
Major Areas of
Exterior Doors
• Hinges
• Striker Plate
• Locking
Mechanism
• Door Jamb (Frame)
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Exterior Door Security
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Exterior Door Security
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Window Conditions
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Window Conditions
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Window Conditions
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Ceiling, Walls and Floors
Assure that the Participant
is not exposed to any
structural hazards, any
large amount of plaster or
other heavy surface
material and that all
rooms are reasonably
weather tight by inspecting
to ensure that they are
structurally sound.
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Ceiling Conditions
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Wall Conditions
To assure the Participant is not exposed to any
structural hazards and that all rooms are reasonably
weather tight.
Unsound or Hazardous Wall Conditions are:
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Severe buckling, bulging or leaning
Damaged or leaning structural members
Large holes or any holes regardless of size if drafts occur
Holes in exterior walls that, due to their location, cause drafts
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Wall Conditions
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Wall Conditions
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Wall Conditions
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Floor Conditions
To assure the Participant is not exposed to any
threat of structural collapse or tripping and that all
rooms are reasonably weather tight.
Unsound or Hazardous Floor Conditions are:
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Large sections of damaged or missing parts
Unsteady or weak
Holes that penetrate both the finish and the sub-floor
Severe buckling
Holes that present a tripping hazard or are approximately 4” or larger
Permanent floor covering or boards that present a tripping hazard
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Floor Conditions
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Floor Conditions
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Floor Conditions
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Living Room
To ensure that
each unit has a
living room area
for the Participant
and family.
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Kitchen
To verify that the
dwelling unit contains a
kitchen or kitchen area
for the preparation and
storage of foods. It may
be either a separate
room or an area of a
larger room.
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Kitchen
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Bathroom
To assure there is at least
one bathroom present in
the dwelling unit for the
exclusive use of the
occupant.
There must be a working
toilet, wash basin and tub
or shower.
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Bathroom
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Bathroom (Wash Basin)
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Bathroom (Tub or Shower)
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Bathroom (Ventilation)
To assure that the bathroom can be properly
ventilated to prevent the accumulation of unhealthy
odors and sewer gases.
• Proper ventilation can be by an openable window,
mechanical vent fan or other vent (gravity flow)
Defect that would require a fail rating is:
• No openable window or working exhaust system
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Smoke Detector
To reduce the risk of loss of life in the
event of fire
• There must be at least one working NFPA 72 approved
smoke detector on each level of the unit properly
installed
• Smoke detectors must be within 15 feet of sleeping
rooms
Note: In units occupied by the hearing impaired, there
must be an approved alarm in or connected to the smoke
detector
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Carbon Monoxide Detector
There can be no less than one approved
carbon monoxide detector per unit
• One detector will be installed on any floor on which
there is a fuel burning appliance, burner or boiler
• One on every floor heated by any type of warm air
heating plant that burns fossil fuel
• One on every floor that contains sleeping quarters
installed within 15 feet of all rooms used for
sleeping purposes
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Carbon Monoxide Detector
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Secondary Rooms
(Not Used for Living)
To inspect rooms and
areas other than
regularly used living
areas in the dwelling for
hazardous conditions.
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Walk-In Closets
Laundry Rooms
Basements/Attics
Pantries
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Secondary Rooms
(Not Used for Living)
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Secondary Rooms
(Not Used for Living)
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Secondary Rooms
(Not Used for Living)
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Secondary Rooms
(Not Used for Living)
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Building Exterior
To ensure that the
exterior building
surfaces are free
of hazardous
conditions.
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Unit Exterior (Foundation)
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Unit Exterior (Foundation)
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Unit Exterior (Foundation)
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Unit Exterior
(Stairs, Rails, Porches)
To assure that the condition of all
exterior stairs, rails and porches do
not pose a danger of tripping and/or
falling to any member of the
household.
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Unit Exterior
(Stairs, Rails, Porches)
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Unit Exterior
(Stairs, Rails, Porches)
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Unit Exterior
(Stairs, Rails, Porches)
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Unit Exterior
(Stairs, Rails, Porches)
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Unit Exterior
(Roofs and Gutters)
To assure that the Participant is not
exposed to any risk of structural
collapse and that the roof protects
the dwelling unit from outside
elements.
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Unit Exterior
(Roofs and Gutters)
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Unit Exterior
(Exterior Walls)
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Unit Exterior
(Exterior Walls)
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Unit Exterior
(Exterior Walls)
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Unit Exterior
(Exterior Walls)
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Unit Exterior
(Exterior Walls)
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Unit Exterior
(Lead-Based Paint)
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Unit Exterior
(Lead-Based Paint)
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Heating and Plumbing
To ensure that the
dwelling unit has
adequate heating
and plumbing and
that those systems
are free of hazards.
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Heating and Plumbing
(Safety of Heating Equipment)
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Heating and Plumbing
(Safety of Heating Equipment)
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Heating and Plumbing
(Safety of Heating Equipment)
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Heating and Plumbing
(Safety of Heating Equipment)
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Heating and Cooling
(Water Heater)
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Heating and Cooling
(Water Heater)
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Heating and Cooling
(Water Heater)
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Heating and Cooling
(Water Heater)
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General Health and Safety
To ensure the family is
not exposed any
health and safety
hazards on the
dwelling site or in the
general neighborhood.
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General Health and Safety
(Exits)
Note: Inspect closely to make sure all
window and door openings leading to
the fire exit are operable and unblocked.
Assess stability and security of all steps,
stairs and handrails of fire escape.
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General Health and Safety
(Exits)
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General Health and Safety
(Evidence of Infestation)
To assure that the Participant is not exposed
to infestations of rats, mice and vermin.
• Presence of rats or an infestation of mice are evidenced by:
– Large rat holes
– Droppings
– Rat runs (signs of tracks)
– Numerous settings of poisons
• Check where trash cans and garbage are kept or near food
sources where roaches are active.
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General Health and Safety
(Garbage and Debris)
To assure that the Participant is not exposed
to health hazards resulting from heavy
accumulations of garbage or trash in or
around the unit.
• Heavy accumulation means large piles of trash,
garbage, discarded furniture and other debris. This
may occur inside the unit, in common areas or
outside. It usually means a level of accumulation
beyond the capacity of an individual to pick up
within an hour or two.
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General Health and Safety
(Garbage and Debris)
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General Health and Safety
(Refuse Disposal)
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General Health and Safety
(Interior Stairs and Common Hallways)
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General Health and Safety
(Elevators)
To assure that elevators, when present,
are operating in a manner that does not
pose a safety hazard to the Participant.
• Depend on inspections and certifications
performed by local authorities. If no local
requirement, check with the Participant.
• If multiple elevators, base evaluation on the
elevator in which you are riding, unless you hear
complaints about other elevators.
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General Health and Safety
(Elevators)
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Lead-Based Paint
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Lead-Based Paint
Health Impacts of Lead
Lead interferes with the development of the
nervous system and internal organs. The risk
is greatest in children under age six. Young
children do not understand the risks of
deteriorated lead-based paint, so we must
take action to protect them.
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Lead-Based Paint
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Lead-Based Paint
Types of Deterioration
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Peeling
Chipping
Chalking
Cracking
Holes in Walls
Damaged Substrates
Note: Remember to look for debris from deteriorated paint.
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Lead-Based Paint
Cracking
Peeling
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Lead-Based Paint
Chalking
Hole in Wall
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Lead-Based Paint
De Minimus Levels (Small)
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Lead-Based Paint
De Minimus Levels (Large)
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Lead-Based Paint
De Minimus Levels (Exterior)
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Lead-Based Paint
Friction and Impact Surfaces
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Lead-Based Paint
Causes of Deterioration
Friction/Impact
Moisture
Damage
Poor
Surface
Preparation
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Lead-Based Paint
Damaged Substrates
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Black Mold Due to Flooding
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
• Mold is a fungus growth that grows on the surface
of organic materials in damp conditions both
indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are continually in the air but when they
land on a damp spot they begin growing and
digesting whatever they are growing on in order to
survive.
• Indoors they can grow on wood, fabric, carpet, foods
and other organic materials.
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Molded Interior Wall Due to Water Intrusion
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Molded Insulation Due to Water Intrusion
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Obvious causes of moisture problems include:
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Occupant Generated
Flooding
Roof Leaks
Drainage Problems
Plumbing Problems
Temperature Differences (warm moist air with cool
surfaces or vice versa causes water vapor)
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Mold on inside of Ductwork
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Water Damaged Carpet
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Interior Air Quality
(Mold)
Heating System Mold Due to Gas Vapor
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Top 10
CHA HQS Deficiencies
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Outlets ― Crossed Polarity and Open Ground
Deteriorated Paint
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Discharge Lines for Water Heaters and Boilers
Flue Pipes with downward slope
Hand and Guardrails
Windows that do not stay up when raised
Absence of bathroom ventilation
Utilities not being on for initial inspections
Broken and uneven walkways
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Inspections
Q&A
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