QUIRKY HQS INSPECTIONS

Seanna CollinsLincoln Housing Authority

September 16, 2015

Where can the answers be found for HQS questions?

• 24 Code of Federal Regulation 982.401• HCV Guidebook – Chapter 10• Inspection form- HUD-52580A• Housing Inspection manual• YOUR Section 8 Admin Plan• Notices• Training Materials

15 minute Challenge• Each group will receive an inspection observation

scenario.• The group will determine the following….

Is there an HQS defect citation? If yes…then who is responsible to correct defect?

Landlord or Tenant

Provide your supporting documentation (cite regulation, policy and etc that supports your decision)

What are the Pro’s and Con’s to your decision?

AFTER 15 minutes……..

• Presentations

• Discussion

#1- MOLDHow much is okay?

#2- BED BUGS

#3- What qualifies as a BEDROOM?

• Ceiling height requirement? Ceiling only 4ft• Door requirement? No door• Wall requirement? What if one wall is only

halfway up?• Floor space requirement?• Window? Size and distance from the floor• Can you pass through one bedroom to get to

another?

#4- Clutter or Hoarding?

• Clothes ankle high in the bedroom and laundry room.

Clutter/Hoarding continue

• Boxes stacked 4 feet high neatly covering the entire living room floor, but has paths to each room Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom and the boxes do not block egress or heating vents.

#5- What is Blocked Egress?

• Windows air conditioner in the only window?

Blocked Egress continue

• Windows nailed shut?• Window screens nailed shut only?

Blocked Egress

• Dressers in front of window?

Blocked Egress?

• Bed in front of window?

• Plant stand blocking the bedroom window?

#6- Smoker Detectors

• Where required?• What if there is a non-working smoke detector

in an area not required?• Hearing-Impaired ?• How to test smoke detector with vaulted

ceiling?

Smoke Detectors- Answers• Smoke detectors must be installed in accordance with and meet the

requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA) 74 or its successors and must be on each level of the unit including basements.

• Smoke detectors must be outside of the sleeping room but in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping room(s) when installed to protect a sleeping area.

Smoke Detector Answers

• Smoke detectors must be secured to the ceiling at least four inches from the walls. If installed in an area with an open-joisted ceiling, the smoke detector must be installed on the

bottom of the joist.

Smoke Detector Answers

• If installed to protect a basement, the smoke detector must be on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairway leading to the floor above.