dcha hcvp hqs inspection checklist5 dcha hcvp hqs inspection checklist listed below you will find a...

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DCHA HCVP HQS Inspection ChecklistListed below you will find a list

of the most common reasons a unitmay fail Housing QualityStandards (HQS). Please lookyour unit over carefully before theinspector comes out. We will beunable to enter into contract if theunit fails HQS inspection.

Most common reasons unitsfail Housing Quality Standards(HQS) includes such things as:

* peeling or flaking paint * unsafe or rotted porches * water leaks * lack of proper ventilation of flue

on hot water tank * weak or broken floor boards * faulty plumbing * missing electrical outlet covers or

switch plates * inoperable smoke detectors * infestation* no smoke detectors* unclean or appears to be not

ready for new habitation* utilities not on

Here is a checklist to use priorto inspection. THIS LISTING ISNOT A COMPLETE LIST OFCAUSES FOR HQS FAILURE.

____ All ceilings, walls and floorsmust be strong, sturdy and in theirpermanent positions.____ A working smoke detectorwith a live battery or hard wiredmust be installed on every level ofthe unit, including in the basementand outside of sleeping rooms. Ifany members of the family arehearing impaired, a detector for thehearing impaired must be installed.____ The entire unit, both insideand outside, including windowframes, must be free of cracking,scaling, peeling, chipping andloose paint. This prevents expo-

sure to possible lead-based painthazards.____ Where there are four or moreconsecutive steps, handrails mustbe securely attached. This appliesto both the interior and exterior ofthe unit.____ The unit must be free ofroaches, rodents or any otherinfestations.____ The entire unit, interior andexterior, must be free from electri-cal hazards. There may be noloose, hanging or exposed wires.All three-pronged outlets must bewired correctly. A three-prong cir-cuit tester will be used at the time ofthe inspection to assure safety.____ Every room used for livingmust have either two working out-lets or one working outlet and apermanently installed light fixture.At a minimum, each bathroommust have a permanently installedlight fixture.____ All light switches and outletsmust have secured plate coversinstalled.____ All windows and doors mustbe secure when closed, and mustbe weather tight.____ All windows and doors thatare accessible from the outsidemust have working sturdy locks.____ All openable windows musthave a mechanism to secure themin place when opened.____ If the unit has a third floorsleeping room(s), and the family iseligible to use this room for sleep-ing, the owner must provide a safemethod of escape in the case offire (ie. chain ladder).____ If there is a bathroom with atoilet that is not hooked up to waterand sewer lines, it must berepaired. If it is removed, the drainmust be sealed to prevent rodentsand/or gases from escaping intothe unit.

____ The bathroom must haveeither an openable window or anexhaust fan for ventilation.____ The hot water tank's pressurerelief valve must have a dischargeline extending down two to six inch-es from the floor.____ The flue pipe leading from thefurnace and hot water tank must besealed at the chimney. Also, checkto ensure that the flue pipes con-necting to the furnace and hotwater tank are installed correctly.____ Every room used for livingmust have an adequate heatsource. If the source is gas, it mustbe vented to the outside. If thesource is electric, it must be per-manently installed and controlledby a separate thermostat.____ If the downspouts or guttersare damaged and/or missing,causing interior damage to the unit,they must be replaced or repaired.Any damage to the interior of theunit due to the missing or damageddownspouts or gutters must berepaired.____ The unit must be free fromany accumulation of garbage ordebris, both inside and outside.____ Multi-family owners must pro-vide "refuse disposals" which caninclude trash cans with covers,garbage chutes or dumpsters withlids.____ Every bedroom must have atleast one openable window forventilation, if windows aredesigned to open.____ If the unit has city code viola-tions, they must be corrected.____ Utilities must be turned on atthe time of inspection, includingnew units to the program. ____ The unit must be vacant atthe time of inspection unless thefamily is leasing in place.