Section 8 HQS Inspection Checklist: Landlord Preparation Guide
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) requires rental units to pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection before a lease can be signed and at regular intervals thereafter. Failing an inspection delays payments and can result in lease termination.
What Is an HQS Inspection?
HQS inspections are conducted by the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to verify that the unit meets minimum federal housing quality standards. The inspection covers 13 key areas:
- Sanitary facilities
- Food preparation and refuse disposal
- Space and security
- Thermal environment
- Illumination and electricity
- Structure and materials
- Interior air quality
- Water supply
- Lead-based paint
- Access
- Site and neighborhood
- Sanitary condition
- Smoke detectors
HQS Inspection Checklist
1. Sanitary Facilities
- Toilet present and operational in a private room
- Fixed wash basin with hot and cold running water
- Shower or bathtub with hot and cold running water
- All fixtures properly connected to plumbing and sewer
- Bathroom has an operable window or exhaust fan
2. Kitchen and Food Preparation
- Cooking stove/range present and operational
- Oven functional
- Refrigerator present and maintaining proper temperature
- Kitchen sink with hot and cold running water
- Adequate food preparation and storage space
- Trash receptacle present
3. Space and Security
- Living room, kitchen, and bathroom present
- At least one bedroom or living area suitable for sleeping
- Private entrance from outside or common hall
- Adequate locking mechanism on exterior doors
- Windows accessible from outside have locks
4. Heating and Cooling
- Heating system present and operational
- Adequate heat to maintain 65°F in all living areas
- No unvented fuel-burning heaters
- Heating system safely installed and vented
5. Electricity and Illumination
- Adequate natural or electric lighting in all rooms
- Electrical service adequate for appliances and lighting
- No exposed wiring or overloaded circuits
- All outlets and switches have cover plates
- GFCI outlets in kitchen and bathroom
6. Structure and Materials
- Foundation structurally sound
- Roof in good condition (no active leaks)
- Exterior walls weather-tight and sound
- Floors structurally sound
- Ceilings in good condition
- Stairs and railings in good repair
- Handrails on stairs with 4+ risers
7. Interior Air Quality
- No signs of mold or excessive moisture
- No gas, oil, or sewer odors
- Adequate ventilation in bathroom and kitchen
- No pest infestation
8. Water Supply
- Safe, sanitary water supply
- Hot water heater operational
- Hot water temperature between 105°F and 120°F
- No leaks in plumbing
9. Lead-Based Paint
- If property built before 1978, lead-based paint disclosure provided
- No chipping, peeling, or flaking paint
- No deteriorated paint surfaces
10. Access
- Property accessible without going through another unit
- Alternative exit in case of fire
- Walkways and entrances clear
13. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Smoke detector present on each level
- Smoke detector present near bedrooms
- All smoke detectors operational
- CO detector present if property has fuel-burning appliances
Common HQS Inspection Failures
Top 10 Failures
- Missing or dead smoke detector batteries
- Chipped or peeling paint — Especially in pre-1978 properties
- Missing handrails — Required on any stairs with 4+ risers
- Leaking faucets or plumbing
- Broken or missing window screens
- Inoperable windows
- Missing outlet covers
- Inoperable appliances
- No hot water
- Pest infestation
Easy Fixes Before Inspection
- Replace all smoke detector batteries
- Replace cracked outlet covers
- Install handrails on stairs with 4+ risers
- Fix dripping faucets
- Scrape and repaint peeling paint
- Test all appliances
- Set water heater temperature to 115°F
- Install window screens where missing
- Clear trash and debris
- Check all locks
What Happens If You Fail
24-Hour Repairs (Emergency Items)
- No hot water
- No heat in winter
- No working toilet
- Electrical hazards
- Gas leaks
- Blocked exits
Standard Repairs (30 Days)
Most deficiencies must be corrected within 30 days. The PHA will schedule a re-inspection.
Consequences of Not Passing
- First failure: 30-day cure period, re-inspection scheduled
- Repeated failures: May result in abatement (suspension of payments)
- Extended non-compliance: Lease termination and loss of Section 8 payments
How Auxi Services Can Help
Auxi Services provides HQS inspection preparation services including pre-inspection audits, rapid correction of deficiencies, smoke detector installation and testing, paint/drywall/flooring repairs, plumbing and electrical repairs, and photo-documented completion reports. Contact Auxi Services for HQS preparation services for your Section 8 properties.