Housing Quality Inspections (HQS)

No later  that October 1 , 2024 HUD will require Housing Authorities to use the new NSPIRE standards not the old HQS model.
The new NSPIRE model prioritizes health, safety, and functional defects over appearance. It implements inspections that better reflect the true physical conditions of the property. The NSPIRE model supports the adoption of sound, year-round maintenance practices.
The standards can be found on the NSPIRE Standards website.  A summary is posted below

Inspectable Item	Deficiency
Call-for-Aid System	System is blocked, or pull cord is higher than 6 inches off the floor.
	System does not function properly
Carbon Monoxide Alarm	Carbon monoxide alarm is missing, not installed, or not installed in a proper location.
	Carbon monoxide alarm is obstructed.
	Carbon monoxide alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested.
Chimney	A visually accessible chimney, flue, or firebox connected to a fireplace or wood-burning appliance is incomplete or damaged such that it may not safely contain fire and convey smoke and combustion gases to the exterior.
	Chimney exhibits signs of structural failure.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation	Electric dryer transition duct is detached or missing.
	Gas dryer transition duct is detached or missing.
	Electric dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow.
	Dryer transition duct is constructed of unsuitable material.
	Gas dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow.
Door – Entry	Entry door is missing.
Door – Fire Labeled	Fire labeled door is missing.
Egress	Obstructed means of egress.
	Sleeping room is located on the third floor or below and has an obstructed rescue opening.
	Fire escape is obstructed.
Electrical – Conductor, Outlet, and Switch	Outlet or switch is damaged.
	Exposed electrical conductor.
	Water is currently in contact with an electrical conductor.
Electrical – Service Panel	The overcurrent protection device is damaged.
Exit Sign	Exit sign is damaged, missing, obstructed, or not adequately illuminated.
Fire Escape	Fire extinguisher is damaged or missing.
Fire Extinguisher	Fire extinguisher pressure gauge reads over or under-charged.
	Fire extinguisher service tag is missing, illegible, or expired.
	Fire extinguisher is damaged or missing.
Flammable and Combustible Items	Flammable or combustible item is on or within 3 feet of an appliance that provides heat for thermal comfort or a fuel-burning water heater; OR
	Improperly stored chemicals.
Guardrail	Guardrail is missing or not installed.
	Guardrail is not functionally adequate.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)	The inspection date is on or between October 1 and March 31 and the permanently installed heating source is not working or the permanently installed heating source is working and the interior temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
	Unvented space heater that burns gas, oil, or kerosene is present.
	Combustion chamber cover or gas shutoff valve is missing from a fuel burning heating appliance.
	Fuel burning heating system or device exhaust vent is misaligned, blocked, disconnected, improperly connected, damaged, or missing.
Leak – Gas or Oil	Natural gas, propane, or oil leak.
Mold-like Substance	Presence of mold-like substance at extremely high levels is observed visually.
Smoke Alarm	Smoke alarm is not installed where required.
	Smoke alarm is obstructed.
	Smoke alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested.
Sprinkler Assembly	Sprinkler head assembly is encased or obstructed by an item or object that is within 18 inches of the sprinkler head.
	Sprinkler assembly component is damaged, inoperable, or missing and it is detrimental to performance.
	Sprinkler assembly has evidence of corrosion.
	Sprinkler assembly has evidence of foreign material that is detrimental to performance.
Structural System	Structural system exhibits signs of serious failure.
Toilet	Only 1 toilet was installed, and it is missing.
Water Heater	Chimney or flue piping is blocked, misaligned, or missing.
	Gas shutoff valve is damaged, missing, or not installed.

The RFTA packet has a specific form that asks when the unit will be ready to be inspected. This is NOT the date we will be inspecting the unit. This is the date the unit is ready to be inspected. We will inspect the unit on or after this date. All housing authorities use the same Federal inspection form: HUD 52580 Inspection Form. We will contact the property owner to schedule an inspection for this unit. The utilities must be on and the unit should be ready when the inspector arrives. Do not sign a lease with the property owner until the unit has passed the inspection and all required paperwork has been submitted to the MBHA and approved.

If you sign a lease prior to the unit passing inspection we will not pay any portion of rental assistance until the day the unit passes inspection. If the unit never passes inspection we will not pay any form of rental assistance at all and you will be responsible for 100% of the rent.

Once the inspection has passed, ownership/ownership representation has been documented and all other required paperwork has been submitted and approved, the landlord and tenant are eligible to execute a lease. The executed lease should be submitted to the Housing Authority of Myrtle Beach to enable the process to generate a HAP Contract. The date of the executed lease should be on or after the date of the unit passing inspection.

Landlords and tenants receive a Notice of Inspection scheduled for the annual inspection of each unit under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract. All units must be inspected at least annually even if a tenant is scheduled to move. The Head of Household, co-Head/Spouse, or another adult 18 or over or the Property owner/Management Company agent must be present.

The inspector will return calls or emails if you need to confirm the date and time. All inspections scheduled are mandatory. If the inspector is not able to enter the unit, the inspection will be classified as a No-Show. A No-Show inspection is defined as a Failed inspection. If a unit fails two consecutive inspections for any failed item the unit will be abated. This means no further payments will be made.

This list shows some of the most common reasons

Windows

• Severe deterioration or windows allowing drafts and weather inside the unit.
• Broken and missing windowpanes or boarded up windows.
• No window in the living room.
• The bedroom doesn’t have at least one window that opens to the outside.
• Bathroom does not have either a working vent fan or a window that opens to the outside.
• No locks on 1st floor windows or other windows accessible from the ground.

Doors

• Lack of effective weather-stripping.
• Inoperable locks or locks installed that require a key to open from the inside, including security doors.
• Doors that do not close properly preventing the lock from working.

Walls and Ceilings

• Bulging plaster or wallboard, damp plaster from leaks or holes.
• Paint (units built before 1978 and occupied by child under age 6)
• Peeling, chipping, flaking, chalking paint on any painted surface in unit, common areas or exterior.
• Rotting or deteriorated substrate under painted surface.

Electricity

• Outlets and overhead/wall mounted fixtures that do not work or were improperly installed.
• Missing covers on outlets and switches. Exposed, cracked, frayed wiring or wiring not properly secured.
• Electrical boxes missing knockouts or open spaces in boxes without breakers or blanks.
• Utilities are not turned on.

Plumbing

• Hot water heaters lack of a temperature pressure relief valve discharge line.
• Hot water heaters have severe corrosion or exposed wiring.
• Plumbing leaks.
• Utilities are not turned on.

Safety

Unit lacks an operable smoke detector in one or more sleeping room or other required spaces, such as common areas.

Presence of gas leaks or fumes.

No-Show:

If the inspector is not able to enter the unit, the inspection will be classified as a No-Show. A No-Show inspection is defined as a Failed inspection.

If a unit fails two consecutive inspections for any failed item the unit may be abated. This means no further payments will be made.