This presentation was moderated by Alexi Millard. The main presenter was Pablo Santiago.

Pablo discussed some of the items that the inspectors are looking for. (This is not an exhaustive list.)

Outside items:

• Checking handrails for 3+ steps
• No loose or missing siding
• No missing shingles
• No chipping paint
• Address plate must be present
• Every tenant must have their own mailbox
• If there is a storm door, it must latch and close properly
• If the main door has a single pane window, a storm door must be present
• Every entry door must have a single-key deadbolt (no double sided deadbolts allowed)
• Tenants cannot be parking on the grass
• The garage doors must be operable and the service doors must be lockable
• The garage cannot have any raw wood, it must be painted or stained

Interior items:

• Every room must have a heat source
• Every window must have operable screen 
• Every window must have a sash lock
• Every window on the first floor has to have a ventilation lock (vent lock or pin lock)
• No chipping paint in the windowsills
• To be considered a bedroom it has to be at least 70 sqft, it must have a closet or a wardrobe, if there is an overhead light there must be an outlet present
• If there is a walk-through room it cannot be counted as a bedroom
• There needs to be a 10-year sealed smoke detector within 6' of the bedroom
• There needs to be a carbon monoxide detector on every level
• Every bathroom has to have a window or an exhaust fan
• All remodeled areas need to have a GFCI within 6' of a water source
• All garbage disposals must be properly connected, no loose wires
• In the basement, 10-year sealed smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector within 15' of the mechanicals
• The unit must not have any open breaker slots in the breaker panels
• Attics must have 2 means of egress (windows or stairwells) and smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
• Bedrooms are not allowed in basements unless there is proper egress
• Hot water heaters must have pressure relief valves
• Dryers must be vented to the exterior with rigid aluminum, no plastic

NSPRE is the new standard from HUD for inspections, this is going to replace the current inspection standards. 

Download the NSPIRE HCV/PBV INSPECTION CHECKLIST here.

Every change to the program is planned a year in advance so there will be plenty of advance notice when there are changes.

Q&A section:

• Q: Can multiple inspections be done at the same time for the same building (different tenants)? A: If renewal dates with multiple tenants in the same building are within 90 days, MCHS can do one inspection for both units on the same day if they are scheduled.
• Q: How can someone see if an inspection is every year or every other year? A: Inspections get scheduled about 4 months before the renewal so you would find out at that time. Take a look at your tenant code from the contract. There are 4-5 numbers and the letter after it is "v" then its a Section 8 program with a biannual inspection schedule. All other tenants have an annual inspection.
• Q: Is there something that the program offers to inform tenants that they cannot remove the smoke detectors? A: Yes, inform the case manager that the tenant keeps taking the smoke detector down. The case manager can educate them on the safety requirements of this device and if they keep failing the inspection because of it, they will be removed from the program.
• Q: If HQS and City of Milwaukee DNS have differing codes for exterior items, which code is enforced? A: Whichever is stricter.
• Q: Any tips for passing inspections on the first time? A: Walk through the unit the a day or two before the inspection and review everything the inspector will be looking for.