The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Final Inspection Standards Notice is pending publication in the Federal Register.

The notice is part of the agency’s new National Standards for Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), which go into effect on July 1, and details the inspectable items at HUD-assisted and multifamily-insured properties.

“The NSPIRE standards do two things really well,” Office of Public and Indian Housing Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio said. “They bring consistency across programs, which is important for housers, and they bring much needed focus to the areas where residents spend most of their time and conditions that most directly affect their wellbeing.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team and the department for the clarity and purpose represented by the Final Inspection Standards Notice.”

The standards being published were tested during the NSPIRE demonstration and were opened for public comment on June 17, 2022. After considering the feedback received, HUD changed the standards by:

• Addressing life-threatening and severe deficiencies within 24 hours. All other deficiencies must be addressed within 60 days or a reasonable period.
• Making the smoke alarm standard consistent with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72.
• Creating a fire door standard detailing the specific function, operability and structural integrity requirements for fire doors.
• Requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in compliance with the 2018 International Fire Code.
• Setting minimum temperature requirements during the colder months and requiring a permanent heating source.
• Including criteria for when guardrails and handrails are required.
• Establishing infestation deficiencies based on discrete levels of observations with clarification on citable pests.
• Developing deficiencies based on observed mold conditions or elevated moisture levels measured using a moisture meter.
• Including a deficiency for an enhanced visual assessment for deteriorated paint in units where children under 6 years of age reside to document potential lead-based paint hazards.
• Specifying ground-fault circuit interrupter protection as a requirement.
• Including affirmative habitability requirements for bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms utilized by residents.

“These strengthened standards show HUD places the health and safety of residents first and foremost,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said. “As we put their needs first, we are not only doing the right thing, we’re also innovating and becoming more responsive in our department’s practices across the board.”

The updated inspection standards also include a new three-year notice cycle, which will allow HUD to be more responsive to changing industry standards and the needs of the housing portfolio. It also gives participants more frequent opportunities to give feedback and propose changes at regular intervals.

Find more about NSPIRE here.