The rental unit will be inspected to make sure that it meets the Housing Quality Standards. The inspector will examine the exterior of the building, the plumbing and heating systems, the exits and hallways, and each room in the unit to make sure the unit is safe, clean, and in good condition.
The unit must be either occupied by the voucher holder or vacant at the time of the first inspection, and all utilities must be turned on. The inspector must have access to the unit itself, the basement, and all common areas.
The Department of Housing Services may not pay any Housing Assistance Payments for a unit that has not passed the Housing Quality Standards inspection. The RLRA program allows for landlords to access up to $1,000 to address issues that the inspection finds that are a barrier to move in. Please reach out to your prospective tenant’s case manager and they can help you with that process.
The unit will be re-inspected each year to ensure that it continues to meet Housing Quality Standards. If any deficiencies are found during an inspection, you will be notified in writing and given approximately 30 days to complete any necessary repairs.
A copy of the HQS inspection criteria can be found in the landlord handbook, Window of Opportunity. We encourage the landlord to review the inspection criteria prior to the scheduled inspection.