Housing Quality Standards
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Although the family selects the unit, the local field agency is required to inspect and determine whether the dwelling unit passes Housing Quality Standards (HQS) prior to executing a contract and annually during the entire time that the contract is effective. Housing Quality Standards are minimum standards established by HUD to ensure that all rental units are safe, decent and sanitary. A field agent will conduct the unit inspection to make sure that it meets the standards. |
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If the field agency determines that deficiencies exist, the landlord and the family will be notified with the reasons provided. The landlord will be given 30 days to correct the problems. The MDOC will execute the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract after a re-inspection shows repairs are complete. When deficiencies are cited, the landlord will be given 30 days to correct the deficiencies. |
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HQS Inspection
BASIC STANDARDS
Sanitary Facilities - shall be present in the dwelling unit, all in proper operating conditions.
• flush toilet in a separate, private room, a fixed basin with hot and cold running water
• shower or tub with hot and cold running water
Food Preparation and Refuse Disposal - adequate space for the storage, preparation, and serving of food shall be provided.
• cooking stove or range top with either an oven or microwave
• refrigerator of appropriate size for the unit, supplied by either the landlord or the family
• kitchen sink with hot and cold running water
Space and Security - the dwelling unit shall contain a living room, kitchen area and bathroom.
• at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room of appropriate size for each two persons
• persons of opposite sex, other than husband and wife or very young children, are not required to occupy the same bedroom or living/sleeping room.
• exterior doors and windows accessible from outside the unit shall be lockable
Smoke Detector - to provide maximum warning to occupants should a fire or smoke situation occur
• working smoke detector on every level and in an appropriate location
Thermal Environment - shall contain safe heating that is in proper operating condition and provides adequate heat to each room in the dwelling unit appropriate for the climate to assure a healthy living environment.
• un-vented space heaters that deliver enough heat to assure a healthy living environment are acceptable To determine if the family has adequate heat during winter months, the family will be questioned regarding adequacy of heat.
• the American Gas Association (AGA) seal of approval must be present on each unvented space heater to determine its safety.
Illumination and Electricity - each room shall have adequate natural or artificial illumination to permit normal indoor activities and to support the health and safety of occupants.
• living and sleeping rooms shall include at least one window
• ceiling or wall type light fixture shall be present and working in the bathroom and kitchen area.
• at least two electric outlets, one of which may be part of an overhead light, shall be present and operable in the living area, kitchen area and each bedroom area.
• the kitchen, however, must have at least one overhead light and one working wall outlet.
Structure and Materials - ceiling, walls, and floors shall not have any serious defects such as severe bulging or leaning, large holes, loose surface materials, severe buckling or noticeable movement under walking stress, missing parts or other serious damage.
• all floors must be covered (e.g., linoleum, carpet, rugs, hardwood sealant, paint).
• roof structure shall be firm, and the roof shall be weather tight.
• the exterior wall structure and interior wall surface shall not have any serious defects such as serious leaning, buckling, sagging, cracks or holes, loose siding, or other serious damage
• condition and equipment of interior and exterior stairways, halls, porches, walkways, etc., shall be such as not to present a danger of tripping or falling.
• all stairs with four or more steps require handrails and porches and balconies over 30 inches high require guardrails.
Interior Air Quality -shall be free from dangerous levels of air pollution from carbon monoxide, sewer gas, fuel gas, dust, and other harmful air pollutants.
• air circulation shall be adequate throughout the unit
• bathroom areas shall have at least one window that opens or other adequate exhaust ventilation.
Water Supply - either public or private sanitary water supply is acceptable.
Lead Based Paint -HUD requires landlords to disclose know information concerning lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards for pre-1978 dwellings.
Information must be included in the lease (or as an attachment/addendum).
NOTE: This disclosure does not require that owners conduct a paint inspection or risk assessment. It only requires that know information be disclosed and any report(s) be made available. This information must be provided to new tenants before they sign the lease. It must also be provided upon renewal of an existing lease unless information has been previously disclosed and no new information has come into the possession of the landlord. Landlords must provide prospective tenants with information detailing the toxic issue.
Lead Paint Disclosure Statement Form
Access - the unit must have a private entrance without going through another dwelling unit
• alternate means of egress from the building is required.
Site and Neighborhood - The site and neighborhood must be reasonably free of conditions that would endanger the health and safety of residents.
• e.g. dangerous walks, steps, structural instability, flooding, poor drainage, septic tank back-ups, excessive accumulation of trash (more than one person can pick up in an hour), vermin or rodent infestation, and/or fire hazards
Sanitary Condition - the unit and its equipment must be free of vermin and rodent infestation.
