To classify your property as Section 8 housing you must participate in an annual housing authority inspection. Know what to look for in our latest post! Understanding the ins and outs of Section 8 housing can be difficult. As a landlord owning a Section 8 property can help ensure little vacancy. Below we answer some of the most common questions about the process as well as ways to help you prepare for the inspection! Common Questions About The Housing Authority Inspection Process What Is A Housing Authority Inspection? When you decide to make your property available to renters with Section 8 vouchers you will need to have your property inspected before anyone moving in. The house will then be subject to inspection each year or if there are any complaints from either the tenant or landlord about the condition of the home. The inspector will take an in-depth look at the property both inside and out. All kinds of things are looked at from the electrical plumbing and heating to items such as chipped paint and faulty smoke alarms. Pest problems doors without deadbolts and windows without locks can all cause you to quickly fail your inspection. Its essential to have a checklist so you can make sure everything is in order before the inspector shows up. What Kind Of Property Will Qualify? Per Chapter 10 of the of the Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook the home types permitted for Section 8 assistance include single-family homes multi-family homes manufactured homes congregate housing single room occupancy shared housing and group residences. How Much Will The Inspection Cost? There is no cost for the inspection however you should plan to spend for a small number of preventative repairs made beforehand. What Does The Inspection Look For? Before any property can be considered for low-income housing it will need to comply with basic housing quality standards (HQS) to provide decent safe and sanitary housing. The HQS contains 13 separate areas or performance requirements. These include: Sanitary facilities The facilities must all be in working order and in a separate room. There must be hot and cold water and a working shower or tub. Food preparation and refuse disposal The unit must have a safe and sanitary place to store prepare and serve food. There must be a working stove refrigerator hot and cold water and a way to properly dispose of food waste. Space and security The unit needs to be safe and secure for the tenants. There must be a living room kitchen and bathroom at a minimum. There must be at least one bedroom or sleeping room for every two adults residing in the home. Exterior doors and windows must all be lockable. Thermal environment There must be heat provided to each room as necessary. There is no requirement for A/C however if a system is present it must be in working order. Illumination and electricity Each room must be supplied with adequate natural or artificial light to permit regular activity. There must be sufficient electrical sources so tenants can use appliances etc. The electrical fixtures and wiring must not pose any fire hazard. Structure and materials The construction of the home must be free of any defects and provide a safe and secure environment for the tenants. There must not be any leaking sagging large holes or buckling. Manufactured homes must be properly tied down. Interior air quality The air in the unit must not pose any harm to the tenant and be free of carbon monoxide sewer gas and other pollutants. There must be proper ventilationand air circulation. Sleeping rooms must have at least one window. Water supply Clean uncontaminated water must be distributed to all fixtures within the home. There must be proper drainage and sewer facilities. Lead-basedpaint Properties built before 1978 will be visually inspected for deteriorated paint surfaces inside outside and in common areas in which tenants must pass through to gain access to their unit. Access There must be private access with alternate access in care of afire. The emergency exit must not be blocked. Site and neighborhood The site and neighborhood must be reasonably free of disturbance. There cannot be any dangers to the health safety and general welfare of the occupants. Sanitary conditions The must not be any pest rodent or vermin infestation. Smoke detectors Working smoke detectors must be located on each level of the unit. The above is only an abridged list of what is required. Before your inspection is completed be sure to review the full checklist to ensure you are in compliance. What If I Fail? Landlords fail their inspections quite regularly. Things that may seem small or that go unnoticed can quickly cause you to fail your inspection. Chipped paint a small leak in a faucet or cracked outlet covers have all been known to cause a failing grade. If you fail your first inspection you will be given time to make the repairs before the property is reinspected. To learn more about purchasing and preparing your property for a housing authority inspection get in touch! We would love to answer any questions you have. 678-337-1165 The post Preparing Your Atlanta Rental Property For A Housing Authority Inspection appeared first on Fresh Start Home Sales. via Blog Fresh Start Home Sales https://www.freshstarthomesales.com/preparing-your-atlanta-rental-property-for-a-housing-authority-inspection/