HQS Inspections - NYCHA

NYC Housing Authority


About Section 8ApplicantsTenantsOwners

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections
Transfers
Annual and Interim Recertification
Guides and FAQs

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections

Transfers

Annual and Interim Recertification

Guides and FAQs


Inspections Standards

All units must meet the inspection standards, upon rental and throughout the assisted tenancy.

Type of Inspections
Description

Initials (New Rentals & Transfers)
Initial rental inspections prior to the tenant moving into the unit or transferring to a new unit. The owner must only call NYCHA to schedule a new Rental/Transfer Inspection when the unit is ready.

Regular
Required inspection to ensure the unit continues to meet standards. NYCHA schedules the inspections and will notify the tenant and owner by appointment letter.

Special
Tenant requested inspection of the unit and/or public space. Tenant must notify the owner of the outstanding repairs before contacting NYCHA.

Quality Control
Inspections to ensure the inspection standards are enforced. NYCHA schedules Quality Control Inspections and notifies the tenant.

Before an inspection, you should:

Conduct a pre-inspection of your unit and notify your Section 8 property owner/manager of any items that need to be repaired or replaced. Addressing a maintenance issue before an inspection may help the unit pass inspection and prevent suspension of subsidy.

Ensure you or someone 18 years of age or older will be present to allow the inspector access to the unit. The inspector will not enter without an adult present in the unit.

Promptly reschedule the inspection if you are unable to keep the appointment. NYCHA requires at least 48 hours advance notice. The fastest and most convenient way to reschedule the appointment is online, using the NYCHA Tenant Self-Service Portal. You may also call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.

After an inspection, you should:

Log on to the NYCHA Tenant Self-Service Portal 24 hours after the inspection to view the results. NYCHA will also notify you and the property owner of the

failed

results by mail.

If the unit fails the inspection, you must allow the property owner/manager access to the unit to complete repairs. Failure to do so will result in termination action.

You will be responsible for correcting any “tenant-caused” violations.

General Inspection Requirements

All subsidized units must meet the following requirements under the Section 8 program:

Unit Requirements
Description

Rooms (General)

At minimum, the unit must have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and one living/sleeping room for every two family members.

Bedrooms must be at least 80 square feet.

The living room can be used as a sleeping room.

Ceilings, walls, windows, and floors must be in good conditions and free of cracks, holes, etc.

Electrical Outlets and Light Fixtures

Each bedroom must have either two electrical outlets or one outlet and one permanent light fixture.

Kitchen and Bathroom

In the kitchen, any outlet installed within 6 feet of a water source must be a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet if the unit was built or renovated after 1986. Any outlet in the bathroom must be a GFCI outlet if the unit was built or renovated after 1996.

Bathrooms require a permanent light fixture but no outlet.

The kitchen requires a permanent outlet but no light fixture.

Smoke Detectors/Alarm

All units must have working smoke detectors/alarms that are hard-wired with a back-up battery or have a sealed 10-year battery before December 29, 2024 on each level of the property, each level of the unit, inside and outside each bedroom/sleeping area.

Smoke detectors/alarms must be installed on a ceiling or on a wall between 4 -12 inches from the ceiling, on the ceiling no less than four inches from the wall, within 21 feet of any door to a bedroom and at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.

If a Participant is hearing impaired, the alarm must be designed for hearing-impaired persons.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors/Alarm (CO)

Carbon monoxide detector/alarm is required in units where there is a fuel-burning appliance, fuel-burning fireplace, is served by a forced-air furnace or is adjacent to an attached garage.

All units must have a carbon monoxide detector/alarm that is hard-wired with a back-up battery. CO detectors/alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated where the code that was in effect at the time of the construction did not require hardwiring.

Carbon monoxide detectors/alarms must meet the NSPIRE standards and 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) Sections 915 and 1103 requirements.

If a Participant is hearing impaired, the alarm must be designed for hearing-impaired persons.

Windows

There must be a least one window that opens and closes or a skylight in each bedroom to provide ventilation and illumination.

Windows must also have permanently attached and adequate locks.

Window Guards

New York City law requires owners of multiple dwellings where children 10 years of age or younger reside to install and maintain window guards in (1) the units where those children reside; and (2) the public spaces.

Heat and Hot Water

Each unit must have an adequate source of heat and hot water, and hot water sources must meet established minimum/maximum temperatures.