Housing Choice Voucher Inspection Checklist
This checklist is provided as a courtesy and is not all-inclusive. It
is provided to give you an idea of the items that an Inspector will check
for during an inspection.
Paint: Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust is especially harmful to
young children and pregnant women. Units built before 1978 with any child
who is less than 6 years of age who resides in OR is expected to reside in
such housing must have all interior and exterior paint surfaces free of
cracking, chipping, or peeling paint. We are unable to enter into a
contract with units where defective paint still exists. Defective paint
must be corrected prior to an inspection.
Utilities: Electricity and gas service MUST BE ON! However, for an
annual inspection, gas wall heater pilot lights need not be lit during the
summer months from April 15 through October 15. Tenants who have allowed
their gas and/or electricity to be turned off for non-payment may expect
termination of eligibility from the Housing Choice Voucher program. One
utility meter may not serve two dwelling units unless the owner pays the
utility bill. The owner is responsible for payment of water, sewer and
trash for City units. For units located in the County, the owner is
responsible for water and sewer, with trash negotiable with the tenant.
Security:
- All doors and windows that are accessible from the outside must have
locks that work.
- Window security bars must be equipped with a quick release and
require no special knowledge or skill to operate and meet local code.
- All exterior doors (including the door from the garage to the living
area) must be sound, have a doorknob and have a deadbolt lock.
- NO DOUBLE CYLINDER DEADBOLT LOCKS WILL BE ALLOWED ON ANY DWELLING
UNIT DOOR OR GATE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Side garage doors must be reasonably sound and have a lock.
- At this time, bedroom and bathroom doors do not require a lock.
Water Heater:
- Whether gas or electric, a water heater must have the following. A
temperature pressure release (TPR) valve (no pop up type). A DISCHARGE
PIPE of galvanized steel; hard drawn copper piping and fittings; C-PVC
(PVC is not allowed); or listed relief valve drain tube with fittings
which will not reduce the internal bore of the pipe or tubing
(straight lengths as opposed to coils). The discharge pipe shall
extend from the valve downward to not less than 6 inches or more than
2 feet above the floor or ground OR extend to the exterior. The
discharge pipe must be the same size as the TPR valve outlet, example
ľ". No valve, restriction or reducer coupling of any type should
be installed between the TPR and the tank or in the discharge pipe.
- Gas Water Heater Requirements: No gas water heaters are allowed in
bedrooms or other living areas unless properly enclosed; vented to
code to supply combustion air and the enclosure has a door. Gas water
heater closet doors must be in reasonably good condition, with tight
hinges, and vented with two screened openings of equal size. Do not
store flammable vapors and liquids, or combustible materials such as
newspapers, rags or mops near the water heater. Storage of any items
in the gas heater closet is not allowed. Do not install an insulation
blanket to the bottom of the water heater or allow it to sag,
restricting the combustion of air. There must be a 6" clearance
around the vent connector from the combustible material.
- Gas water heater Recommended Corrections: Elevate water heater
18" above the floor when located in a residential garage.
- Electric water heater Requirements: Water heater closet doors must
be in reasonably good condition, with tight hinges. Storage of any
items in the heater closet is not allowed unless the heater was
designed and listed or approved for installation adjacent to
combustible materials.
Smoke Detectors: Units must have at least one detector (battery or
hardwire) on each level, including basements. None are required in and
unfinished attic. They must be operational and installed correctly as
follows: on wall, placed between 4" to 12" from ceiling; on
ceiling, placed more than 4" from wall; do not place in kitchen or
near bathroom; place in hallway adjacent to bedroom. A basement, attic or
garage converted to a bedroom must also have a smoke detector.
Hearing Impaired: If the units occupied by hearing-impaired persons,
smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing impaired
persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person.
Ceilings and Walls:
- Exterior walls must be weather tight. Holes large enough to cause
the unit not to be weather tight will be rated as ‘FAIL’. Gaps
around pipes must be appropriately filled to prevent entrance by
pests.
- Interior walls must be in reasonably good condition; most cracks and
doorknob holes will be rated ‘NOTABLE’. The tenant is responsible
for damages to the unit or premises caused by a household member or
guest beyond normal wear and tear.
- Painted walls and ceiling shall be reasonably clean and free from
mildew and fungus.
- Doorstops are recommended to protect walls (rated ‘NOTABLE’ on
the Inspection Summary).
Windows:
- Windows must be weather tight. No broken panes, large cracks or
missing glass. The outside pane of a double pane window may be removed
to remedy a crack or a broken pane. Small corner cracks may be
corrected with silicone.
- Dry rot on a windowsill is a ‘NOTABLE’ item unless it affects
the integrity of the window to the extent that it becomes a safety
hazard, i.e. – the windowpane becomes loose.
- A bedroom must have a least one operable window.
- Units that have not been provided air conditioning or evaporative
cooler will be required to have screens on at least one exterior
window per room at the time of the move-in inspection.
- A large piece of furniture, which covers the only bedroom window,
will fail the HQS inspection. Emergency escape must be provided.
Doors:
- Knobs should be operational and all sliding doors must be on track.
- At this time, closet doors are not required by HQS.
- Closet doors that present a hazardous condition shall be repaired,
replaced or removed.
- Exterior doors (including the door from the garage to the living
area) must be weather tight, must be sound, have a doorknob and a
single cylinder deadbolt. A hollow core exterior door in deteriorating
condition shall be replaced with a solid core exterior door. Bathrooms
require a door and a doorknob. At this time, bedrooms do not require a
door.
Floors and Carpets: Must be free of any tripping hazards such as raised
edges or open seams. No exposed tack strips. No ceramic tiles with sharp
edges. Soft areas around a toilet or along a tub or shower with a rebound
greater than ˝ inch will be rated as a ‘FAIL’. A rebound less than ˝
inch will receive a ‘NOTABLE’ rating by the inspector. Living areas
must have a standard floor and covering, bare or painted concrete is not
acceptable. Poor repairs will not be rated ‘PASS’ like torn seam
repaired with tape over the tear.
Plumbing: Check all pipes, sinks, tubs and toilets for leaks or
stoppages. Flush toilets must be in proper operating condition and be
stable. Loose or missing anchor bolts that cause the toilet to move or
rock will be rated ‘FAIL’. ‘P’ traps must contain water to protect
the tenant from gas or sewer fumes.
Electrical: Minimum HQS requirements are:
- The kitchen requires at least one working outlet and one working
permanently installed ceiling or wall light.
- The bathroom requires one permanently installed light fixture. HQS
does not require an electrical outlet.
- A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device
designed to protect against shock when a faulty electrical appliance
allows current to leak to the ground. You are not required to install
them; however, if present the GFCI must work as designed.
- A bedroom (and most other rooms) requires either two working outlets
or one working outlet and one working permanently installed light
fixture.
- All outlets and light switches must have a cover plate,
non-hazardous cracks are acceptable.
- All receptacles must be free of cracks or chips.
- All electrical hazards must be eliminated like exposed wiring,
extension cords which run under rugs or other floor coverings, a short
in the light switch, a broken cord plug, etc.
Space Heat: A wood stove or a portable electric heater as primary
source of heat in a unit is not acceptable. No unvented fuel burning space
heaters! A heating facility must be capable of maintaining a room
temperature of 70 degrees at a point 3 feet above the floor in all
habitable rooms, directly or indirectly.
- Furnace filters must be clean at the time of inspection.
- For annual inspections, gas wall heater pilot lights need not be lit
during the summer months from April 15th through October 15th.
- No heat when the outside temperature is below 50 degrees and the
temperature inside the unit is below 68 degrees will be considered an
emergency requiring correction within 24 hours of notice by inspector.
Appliances:
- must be in good working order with no missing parts such as knobs,
drip pans, oven handles, or fridge/oven shelves.
- All stove burners and the oven must work
- Any gas oven or burner that requires a match to light due to soil,
grease or need of repair will not pass.
- The stove cook top, range hood filter, venting system and areas
surrounding the oven shall be clean and free from grease.
- The exhaust fan must work if there is no operable window. It is
recommended that the exhaust fan have a cover.
- A refrigerator does not require a kick plate at the bottom.
- The owner or the tenant may provide the refrigerator. It must work,
be an adequate size relative to the needs of the family, and maintain
a temperature low enough so that food does not spoil over a reasonable
period of time (including some capability to store frozen goods).
- Any owner-supplied appliance in the unit at initial inspection shall
be maintained in proper working order throughout the first year of
lease. At subsequent inspections, any appliances not in proper working
order (and not required by HQS) can remain in the unit provided they
do not impose a health or safety hazard. In such instances, they will
not be rated ‘FAIL’, however the contract rent may be adjusted
accordingly. Examples of appliances not required by HQS are air
conditioners, dishwashers and garbage disposals.
- A dishwasher must have a bottom panel to pass and HQS inspection.
- A microwave over may be substituted for a tenant supplied oven and
stove or range. A microwave oven may be substituted for an owner
supplied oven and stove or range if the tenant agrees and microwave
ovens are supplied instead of oven and stove or range to both
subsidized and unsubsidized tenants in the building or premises.
Exhaust/Venting: The kitchen and bathroom(s) must have either an
operable window or exhaust fan to clear moisture and/or possible gas/sewer
fumes. No gas water heaters are allowed in bedrooms or other living areas
unless properly enclosed and vented to code to supply combustion air and
the enclosure has a door. The dwelling unit must be free from dangerous
levels of air pollution from carbon monoxide, sewer gas, fuel gas, dust
and other harmful pollutants. Poor air quality due to pets or housekeeping
will be rated ‘NOTABLE’.
Fireplace: Opening must have a screen or glass covering. It may be
provided by the owner or tenant.
Bathroom(s):
- There must be at least one bathroom present in the dwelling unit for
the exclusive use of the occupant with a working toilet, sink, tub or
shower.
- A shower stall requires either a shower door or curtain to prevent
the tenant from slipping on a wet floor. A curtain is recommended for
a shower/tub combination to keep water off the floor. The tenant
supplies the shower rod and curtain. Sliding shower doors require a
guide at the bottom to prevent swinging.
- All worn and cracked toilet seats or tank lids that present a safety
hazard must be replaced.
Bedroom(s):
- Bedrooms in basement, attics, and garages are not allowed unless
they meet local code requirements, have adequate ventilation,
emergency exit capability and have a smoke detector.
- Rooms used as a sleeping area (den, living room, family room, dining
room, etc) will not be counted as a bedroom for purposes of higher
contract rent.
- At this time, permanent built-in closets are not required by HQS.
- If a closet is present, the owner must provide a clothes pole.
- At this time, a bedroom door is not required by HQS.
- A bedroom area must have a floor area of not less than 70 square
feet, ceiling height of not less than 7’ 6", and width not less
than 7 ft.
Yard Maintenance:
- Front, side or backyards shall not be allowed to become dry and
overgrown. No dry weeds, grass, trees or bushes that present a
hazardous condition. Such conditions will be rated ‘FAIL’.
- Overgrown green grass, trees or bushes will be rated as a ‘NOTABLE’
item unless the Inspector deems any or all to be a hazardous
condition.
- The ground shall be free of any hazardous debris. A hazardous
condition would endanger the health or safety of the tenant.
- The HA recommends that the owner and the tenant enter into a written
agreement regarding yard maintenance and submit a copy to the HA for
the tenants file.
Pests: The unit must be free from infestation of roaches or other
vermin. The owner is responsible even if the infestation is caused by the
family’s living habits. However, if such infestations are serious and/or
repeated, it may be considered a lease violation and the may evict. The HA
may terminate the family’s participation in the program on that basis.
Pet(s): Tenants must have written permission from the owner to have
pets of any type on the premises. Dogs must be leashed during the
inspection. Excessive amounts of urine or feces in the unit or in the yard
will result in a tenant responsible fail item.
Garbage or Debris: Whether inside or outside, any amount of garbage or
debris that is designated by the inspector as a hazardous condition must
be removed. A hazardous condition would endanger the health or safety of
the tenant. For example: items around a gas water heater, items in front
of a window or door that prevents emergency exit, hazardous material such
as old batteries or containers of car oil, or items that could attract
pests such as old tires, old appliances, inoperative vehicles that the
Inspector designates as a blight or trash.
Storage: A tenant may use the garage or shed to store personal effects
unless the amount or type of material stores presents a health or safety
hazard. Owners may not store work related or personal belongings in the
subsidized unit, attached garage, attached shed or on the driveway. The
tenant must have full access to all rooms of the dwelling unit. If the
owner and tenant enter into a written agreement, a detached garage or shed
may be used by the owner to store non-hazardous materials, tools or
equipment used to maintain the property. The detached shed or garage must
be locked to prevent entry by all parties except the owner.
Vehicles: Inoperative (non-tagged or non-running) vehicles stored in
the garage on the premises, or on the parking area of the property must be
removed if designated a blight to the neighborhood and/or presents a
health or safety hazard.
Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs: The standards below apply to private
residence or apartment community pools:
- An empty pool is hazardous. It must either be filled with water,
backfilled with dirt or surrounded by a fence adequate in height and
construction.
- The water shall be kept clean at all times during the primary months
of use, April 15th – October 15th. Discolored water during the
remainder of the year will be noted ‘NOTABLE’.
- Ladders, decks and diving boards shall be stable and in reasonably
good condition.
- At this time, no additional fence around a filled pool is required
by HQS.
- The owner and the tenant should provide to the HA a copy of any
written agreement for a pool, spa or hot tub.
Mobile Homes:
- All HQS requirements that apply to rental housing apply to the
manufactured home/space.
- A manufactured home must be placed on the site in a stable manner
and be free from hazards such as sliding or wind damage.
- Any manufactured home placed on a site that has hazardous conditions
such as sliding or high winds must be securely anchored by a tie down
device which distributes and transfers the loads imposed by the unit
to appropriate ground anchors so as to resist wind overturning and
sliding.
- The utility pedestals (water, sewer and electric
hook-ups/connections) must be accessible at all times to facilitate
any needed repairs or for any emergencies.
Exterior:
- The roof must be in reasonably good condition with no leaks.
- Gutters and downspouts should be sound and free from hazards.
- Concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios should not have large
cracks or uneven surfaces. Uneven surfaces are a tripping hazard. A
gradual slope from the lower to the higher section, which effectively
eliminates the tripping hazard, would normally be an acceptable
remedy.
- House numbers must be clearly visible from the street. An apartment
number/letter must be mounted on or near the front door.
Numbers/letters, which are too small, same color as the unit, covered
by bushes, etc will not pass.
- It is recommended that vent screens should have no holes, be secure
and intact. Vents must not be blocked. The crawl space entrance shall
be covered.
- Lighting: All public hallways, stairs, exit ways must have adequate
lighting at all times.
- Stairways: Handrails are required on sections of four or more steps.
Handrails and stairs must be secure.
- A balcony or porch 30 inches or more above the ground requires
railing around it.
Fences/Gates:
- Fences must not have any hazardous conditions. Any portion of the
fence that is designated by the Inspector as a hazardous condition
must be repaired, replaced or removed. A hazardous condition endangers
the health or safety of the tenant. For example: protruding mails near
a walkway, severely leaning sections, broken cross supports that would
cause the fence to fall or collapse or possible missing boards say if
it allowed entrance of a neighbor dog. An adequate size prop is an
acceptable repair for a leaning post or section. The prop must be
secured at the top and the bottom must not present a tripping hazard.
- Gates must be reasonably good condition and should not drag. A
latching mechanism is optional.
Garage: A non-working automatic door opener will be rated ‘NOTABLE’.
Hazardous conditions such as oil puddles or a pan of oil on the floor, a
car on jacks, old batteries or a garage filled floor to ceiling with no
egress available for emergencies will be rated a ‘FAIL’.
Access to Unit: The tenant must have direct access to his/her unit.
Units, which can only be accessed by passing through another dwelling
unit, will not pass an HQS inspection.
Modifications to Unit: All modifications or adaptations to a unit,
including those due to a disability, must meet all applicable HQS and
building codes.
Site and Neighborhood Conditions: The site and immediate neighborhood
must be free from conditions which would seriously or continuously
endanger the tenants health and safety as determined by the HA and/or
local government agencies.
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