NSPIRE Inspection Checklist: Passing Your Section 8 Inspection
Updated · Reviewed against current HUD program rules
NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) replaced the old HQS inspection for Housing Choice Voucher and project-based voucher units, with full HCV compliance required October 1, 2025 under HUD PIH Notice 2024-26. The goal is a healthier, safer unit: inspectors now score deficiencies by severity instead of a simple pass or fail.
This guide gives both sides the same checklist. Renters learn what inspectors look for room by room; landlords learn which repairs carry 24-hour deadlines and how re-inspection works. For voucher mechanics, see our Housing Choice Voucher guide.
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How NSPIRE scoring works: severity tiers and deadlines
Every deficiency falls into one of four tiers. Life-Threatening deficiencies (gas leaks, exposed wiring, non-working smoke alarms, blocked exits) must be corrected within 24 hours. Severe deficiencies (major plumbing failures, broken heating in winter, extensive mold) also carry a 24-hour correction window. Moderate deficiencies generally allow about 30 days, and Low deficiencies about 60 days, though your PHA sets the exact correction dates on the notice.
Failing an inspection delays the housing assistance payment start, so landlords have a direct financial reason to fix items fast. Tenants should report hazards to the landlord in writing immediately and keep a copy, since documented notice protects both sides if the PHA must abate payments.
Renter half: room-by-room checklist
Walk your unit with this list before the inspector arrives. Kitchen: stove burners and oven work, fridge seals and holds temperature, sink drains, GFCI outlets near water function, no peeling paint if children under six live there. Bathroom: toilet flushes and seals, hot and cold water run, ventilation works, no active leaks or heavy mold. Bedrooms and living areas: windows open, close, and lock, outlets have cover plates, floors and stairs are sound, and every sleeping room has a working smoke alarm.
Whole unit: heating system runs, electrical panel is accessible with no open breaker slots, railings are secure on stairs and balconies, and carbon monoxide alarms are installed where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist. Clear inspector access to every room, the basement, and utility areas, and secure pets on inspection day.
Landlord half: what to fix first
Triage by deadline, not by cost. First, eliminate every 24-hour item: restore smoke and CO alarms, cap exposed wiring, fix gas or water leaks, restore heat and hot water, and clear blocked egress windows and doors. Second, address Severe items such as broken locks on entry doors, major appliance failures you supply, and active infestations.
Third, schedule Moderate and Low repairs (dripping faucets, cracked cover plates, cosmetic paint, caulking) within the PHA correction window and photograph completed work. Keep receipts and before-and-after photos: if the re-inspection is disputed, documentation is what gets the unit cleared. If you need help understanding local obligations, a HUD-approved housing counselor can explain the process.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules
Working smoke alarms are required on every level, in each sleeping room, and outside sleeping areas, and a missing or dead alarm is a Life-Threatening deficiency with a 24-hour fix. Carbon monoxide alarms are required where fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages create CO risk. Test every alarm monthly, replace batteries on schedule, and never remove an alarm to stop nuisance beeps; relocate cooking or improve ventilation instead.
Landlords should install sealed-battery alarms where allowed to cut dead-battery failures, and document alarm locations with photos at each turnover. Tenants should notify the landlord in writing the day an alarm chirps or fails.
Re-inspection: what happens after a fail
Follow these steps after a failed inspection. First, read the deficiency notice and note each item's severity tier and correction date. Second, complete repairs before the deadline and keep receipts. Third, notify the PHA or inspector that the unit is ready; do not wait for them to chase you. Fourth, attend the re-inspection with all rooms accessible. Fifth, if an item still fails, repeat the cycle within the new deadline.
If Life-Threatening or Severe items are not corrected in time, the PHA can abate (pause) housing assistance payments until the unit passes, and prolonged failure can terminate the HAP contract. Tenants are not charged for landlord-caused delays, but tenants must cooperate with access and housekeeping obligations. Check county FMR pages for local payment context while repairs proceed.
Sources
Sources: HUD HCV Guidebook · HUD NSPIRE · 24 CFR 982.517 · HUD housing counseling
Updated 2026-09-05 · Vintage: HUD FY2026 program rules · By SubsidizedHousing.org