Property Inspection Information For Owners

Initial HQS Inspection (Before New Tenant Move-In)

Once our office has received the RFTA, a Tenant Services Specialist will schedule a housing inspection appointment. (Note:  It is required that both the tenant and the landlord be present for the inspection.)  If the unit PASSES the inspection and the rent requested by the owner is approved by AHS, the owner and the tenant may then sign a Lease Agreement. The owner will also be required to sign the concurrent One-Year Section 8 Program Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP).

If the unit FAILS to pass inspection, we will allow up to seven (7) days for correction of the items that need to be repaired or replaced.A re-inspection of the unit will be necessary to confirm that the corrections were made.No rent payments will commence until the rental unit has met all program requirements.Remember, housing voucher holders have only 60 days to find housing before they risk losing their housing choice voucher, so any repairs must be made in a timely manner.

Annual Inspections

AHS will conduct an annual inspection of your rental unit at least 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the current lease term to ensure that the rental unit continues to meet required federal and local Housing Quality Standards (HQS).The owner and tenant will receive written notification from the Tenant Services Specialist as to the scheduled date of the annual renewal inspection.  If the unit does not pass inspection, the owner will be notified in writing of the HQS violations.The letter will list the itemsrequiring repair and will give a date by which the repairs must be made.If the violations are not corrected within the time limit provided, AHS will abate the monthly housing assistance payment and terminate the Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP).

AHS will not abate the rent if the Housing Quality Standards violations are tenant caused or tenant responsibility.However, AHS may terminate the tenant’s assistance including the HAP contract, if the tenant does not correct the tenant-caused violations.In either case, a 30-day notice will be provided to both the owner and the tenant of any termination.

Quality Control Inspections

Federal Regulations require that we conduct annual Quality Control Inspections to ensure that the Owner and the tenant are maintaining the unit in accordance with their agreement and the Rental Assistance Program staff is complying with federal and local program standards when inspecting units for Housing Quality Standards.

HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS LANDLORD CHECKLIST

All failed unit inspections require re-inspections and, as a result, may delay the initial HAP contract process, including delays in issuance of the initial housing assistance payment.Re-inspections cost both the Owner and AHS time and money.To expedite this process, Owners are asked to check the following inspection items in their rental units.It takes only one HQS violation for a unit to fail an inspection.You can help save time and money by doing your own walk-through inspection and making necessary repairs prior to the AHS scheduled inspection appointment.

These are the most common reasons an inspection will fail:

• Smoke Detectors – not present, missing batteries, or dead batteries.They must be working and present on each level of the unit, including basements.
• Chipping of Peeling Paint (i.e., Lead-Based paint) – there must be no chipping or peeling paint on any surfaces on the interior or exterior of the rental unit.This applies only to units constructed prior to 1978 housing tenants with children six (6) years and under.
• Water Heater – no extension pipe on the pressure relief valve leading to the exterior of the unit.
• Double Key or Double Cylinder Locks – these locks require use of a key to open from the inside and are a safety hazard in the event an emergency exit is required.
• Window Bars – if present, must have a quick release mechanism that can be easily opened by both young children and elderly household members.
• Dirty Unit – when a unit is not clean, therefore, not ready for occupancy.
• Plumbing Problems – Leaking water pipes, drains, or leaky faucets.
• Electrical Hazards – missing or cracked outlet covers or outlets not working or damaged.
• Fences – leaning fences are a safety hazard.
• Window Screens – are required on at least on one window in each room for ventilation purposes.

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