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How
to Pass Your Housing Section 8 Inspection
Section 8 Inspector Home Checklist
The
compulsory Section 8 inspection is often what stands between you and
guaranteed rent payments from the housing authority. Find out what
exactly are
the things that your housing inspector will be poking on with our
Section 8 inspection checklist and breeze through your home inspection.
What
is Section 8 Home Inspection and Why it's Important to You
If
you decide to rent out your rental property to someone with Section 8
vouchers, you will first have to submit a Request for Tenancy Approval
form to your public housing authority. They will then contact you
within 7 days to arrange a Section 8 housing inspection of your rental
property.
The
housing authority will send a Section 8 inspector to make sure that
your rental
property is in a habitable condition and meets the minimum Housing
Quality Standards HQS. During the inspection itself, your rental
property has to be vacant and all your utilities must be turned on as
well.
What makes this Section 8 home inspection so
important is the simple fact you won't be receiving a single cent from
the government unless your rental property passes this inspection. If
your property fails the inspection, you will have to make repairs
according to the inspector's report before your tenant can
move in.
As long as you have Section 8 tenants staying on your
rental home, an inspection will be carried out every year to make sure
your rental property continues to meet the Housing Quality Standards.
While
some landlords find the inspections to be a bit too strict,
most property owners find it acceptable in exchange for guaranteed rent
checks mailed to them like clockwork every month. From our experience,
passing this inspection is a breeze as long as you know what the
Section 8 home inspectors are looking out for.
Major
Checks that will be Covered by Your Section 8 Inspection
To
help you out with your home inspection, we have included a nifty
Section 8 inspection checklist with the most important checks below. If
you want to take a look at the
complete hardcore 20 page version, you can also go to this HUD
Forms page and download the "Inspection Form Housing Choice
Voucher Program" document.
Windows
and Doorways
- You must be
able to access and maintain your rental property without trespassing
- The windows
must not be damaged or missing
- All ground
floor windows must come with locks
- All windows
must have screens or curtains
- All doors
leading to outside must come with locks and deadbolts
Flooring,
Ceilings and Walls
- The
flooring,
walls and ceilings must not have any serious defects such as serious
bulging, sagging, large cracks, loose surface or other major damages
- The
flooring must not have any serious damages and cracks that will cause
someone to trip and fall
- The ceiling
and roof must not have any leaks. Stained ceilings are often a
tell-tale sign of leakage
- The paint
on the inside walls of your rental property must not be peeled or
chipped
Plumbing
and Sanitation
- Your rental
property has to contain a fixed water basin, flushing toilet and shower
/ bath tub
- There must
be no plumbing and water leaks
- There has
to be hot and cold running water in both the bathroom and kitchen
- The
bathroom must have either a window or exhaust fan
Lighting
and Electrical Fixtures
- There has
to be at least 1 working light each in the kitchen and bathroom
- All
electrical outlets has to be working and equipped with cover plates
- There must
be a working heating system for your rental property
Structural
and Fire Safety
- There must
be a working smoke detector for every rental unit and on every storey
of your property
- If there
are any stairs and railings, they must be secure
- If
you own a rental building, the walkways, porches, lifts and other
common areas has to be properly maintained to avoid tenant
injury
Now that you
know how to pass your Section 8 housing inspections, uncover the key to
a
smooth and trouble-free Section 8 lease with our next guide:
Do you want to learn MORE must-know facts
on being a
Section 8 landlord?
Return
from
this Section 8 Inspection Checklist / Section 8 Inspector page
to our What is Section 8
Housing guide
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