Section 8 Inspection Checklist for NYC: How to Pass Your HQS Inspection

Every Section 8 unit in New York City must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection before a tenant can move in and periodically thereafter. These inspections verify that the apartment meets federal safety and habitability standards. Failing an inspection delays move-ins, suspends landlord payments, and can jeopardize a tenant's voucher. This guide covers what inspectors look for, the most common reasons units fail, and exactly what landlords and tenants need to do to prepare.

What HQS Inspections Cover

The inspection evaluates whether the unit is safe, sanitary, and in good repair. Inspectors check both the apartment itself and, in multi-family buildings, the public spaces and exterior. The standards apply equally whether you're dealing with NYCHA, HPD, or HCR.

Living areas must have working electrical outlets (at least two per room), functioning light fixtures, and be free of hazards. Walls, ceilings, and floors should be structurally sound without holes, severe cracks, or water damage.

Kitchens must include a working stove or range with all burners functional, a refrigerator that maintains proper temperature, and a sink with hot and cold running water. There must be adequate space for food preparation and storage.

Bathrooms require a flush toilet in working order, a sink with hot and cold running water, and a tub or shower. The bathroom must be in a private room (not open to other areas) and have either a window that opens or a working exhaust fan for ventilation.

Bedrooms must have at least one window. If the window is designed to open, it must actually open. Each bedroom needs adequate space (generally a minimum of 80 square feet with at least 7-foot ceiling height) and access to a second means of egress in case of emergency.

Windows and doors throughout the unit must lock properly, be weather-tight, and be free of broken glass. Windows that are painted shut or have broken locks will fail.

Heating systems must be capable of maintaining adequate heat in all rooms. The system must be safe and in proper working condition. In NYC, this is especially critical since heating season runs from October 1 through May 31.

Plumbing must deliver hot and cold running water to all fixtures without leaks. Water heaters require a temperature and pressure relief valve with a discharge pipe extending to within 6 inches of the floor.

Electrical systems must be safe with no exposed wiring, properly covered outlets and switches, and no overloaded circuits.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Rules

As of December 29, 2024, all smoke detectors in Section 8 units must be either hardwired or equipped with sealed 10-year batteries. Standard battery-operated detectors that require periodic battery replacement no longer meet the standard. This change comes from the federal NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) requirements that HUD is phasing in.

Smoke detectors are required on every level of the unit (including basements), outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Carbon monoxide detectors are required wherever there's a fuel-burning appliance (gas stove, furnace, water heater) or fireplace, particularly in or near bedrooms.

This is one of the most common reasons units fail in 2024 and 2025. Many landlords haven't yet upgraded from traditional battery-operated detectors.

Common Reasons Units Fail

Inspectors see the same problems repeatedly. Addressing these before your inspection dramatically improves your chances of passing:

Smoke and CO detectors: Missing, non-functional, or wrong type (see above). Dead batteries. Detectors not installed in required locations.

Peeling paint: In buildings built before 1978, any peeling, chipping, cracking, or flaking paint is a potential lead hazard and will fail. This applies to interior surfaces, window frames, and common areas.

Windows: Won't open, won't stay open, missing screens, broken glass, broken or missing locks, painted shut. Security bars without quick-release mechanisms.

Plumbing: Leaky faucets, slow drains, no hot water, toilet not properly secured to floor, missing tank lids, cracked toilet seats.

Electrical: Missing outlet or switch covers, exposed wiring, outlets that don't work, insufficient outlets in rooms, GFCI outlets not installed near water sources.

Stove/range: Burners not working, missing knobs, strong gas smell indicating a leak.

Heating: System doesn't work, radiators leak, unsafe venting on furnaces or water heaters.

Trip hazards: Torn carpet, damaged flooring, broken stairs, missing handrails (required when four or more consecutive steps).

Doors: Exterior doors that don't lock, missing deadbolts, doors that don't seal properly (visible daylight around closed doors).

Infestation: Evidence of roaches, mice, rats, or bedbugs.

Building exterior and public spaces: Roof leaks, structural damage, broken entry doors, missing lighting in hallways, blocked fire exits, unsecured basement or boiler room.

Landlord Responsibilities vs. Tenant Responsibilities

Not all failures are the landlord's fault. The Housing Authority distinguishes between owner-caused and tenant-caused violations.

Owners are responsible for:

Structural issues (walls, ceilings, floors, roof)

Plumbing and electrical systems

Heating systems

Appliances (stove, refrigerator if owner-supplied)

Windows and doors

Building exterior and public spaces

Smoke and CO detector installation

Pest control and extermination

Lead paint hazards

Tenants may be held responsible for:

Smoke detector batteries (if battery-operated and tenant-caused dead battery)

Damage beyond normal wear and tear

Blocked egress (furniture blocking windows or exits)

Infestation caused by tenant (in some cases)

Utility shutoffs when tenant is responsible for paying utilities

Missing smoke detectors if they were present at last inspection

If a tenant-caused violation isn't corrected within 30 days, the Housing Authority can initiate termination proceedings against the tenant's voucher. If the only violations are tenant-caused, the landlord's subsidy payments continue.

Inspection Types and Timing

Initial inspections happen before a new tenant moves in. The unit must pass before the Housing Authority will execute a HAP contract and authorize the tenant to take occupancy.

Annual/biennial inspections verify ongoing compliance. Under current rules, most units are inspected at least every two years, though some may be inspected annually.

Special inspections can be requested by the tenant, landlord, or Housing Authority when there are concerns about unit conditions between scheduled inspections.

Re-inspections occur after a unit fails to verify that violations have been corrected.

For all inspections, someone 18 years of age or older must be present to provide access. Inspectors will not enter an unoccupied unit.

What Happens When a Unit Fails

The inspector documents all violations and notifies both the landlord and tenant of the results.

24-hour violations are life-threatening hazards that must be corrected immediately. These include gas leaks, no heat during heating season, electrical hazards, and similar dangers. The repairs must be made within 24 hours, and in most cases, a re-inspection is required.

Window guard violations must be corrected within 21 calendar days.

All other violations must be corrected within 30 calendar days (HPD) or 90 calendar days (NYCHA). The specific timeline depends on which agency administers your voucher.

If violations aren't corrected within the required timeframe, the Housing Authority will abate (suspend) the landlord's HAP payments until the repairs are made and verified. For HPD, abatement begins on the first of the month following the correction deadline. For NYCHA, similar timelines apply.

Landlords can certify that repairs are complete rather than waiting for a re-inspection in most cases (except 24-hour violations, which typically require re-inspection). This certification is submitted through the Owner Extranet (NYCHA) or eCertification system (HPD).

False certification is a crime. If you certify repairs that weren't actually made, you face fines up to $1,000, imprisonment up to one year, and immediate suspension of HAP payments.

NYCHA's Retroactive Payment Policy

If your unit's payments were suspended due to a failed inspection, NYCHA offers up to six months in retroactive payments once you bring the unit back into compliance. To receive this:

• Make the necessary repairs
• Submit proof through the Owner Extranet (work orders, paid invoices showing the address, date, and description of repairs)
• NYCHA may conduct a re-inspection to verify

This policy has been in effect since February 2023 and continues until further notice.

How to Prepare: Landlord Pre-Inspection Checklist

Walk through the unit and building at least a week before the scheduled inspection:

Safety devices:

Smoke detectors on every level, inside and outside bedrooms (hardwired or sealed 10-year battery)

Carbon monoxide detectors where required

Test all alarms to confirm they work

Kitchen:

All stove burners light and turn off properly

Oven heats

Refrigerator maintains temperature

Sink has hot and cold water, drains properly, no leaks

No strong gas smell

Bathroom:

Toilet flushes, is secured to floor, no running water

Sink has hot and cold water, drains properly

Tub/shower works with no leaks

Exhaust fan works or window opens

Caulking intact around tub

Throughout the unit:

All windows open, close, and lock

No broken glass

No peeling paint (especially in pre-1978 buildings)

All outlets and switches have covers and work

No exposed wiring

All doors lock properly

No holes in walls or ceilings

Flooring secure with no trip hazards

Handrails present on stairs with 4+ steps

Heating and hot water:

Heat works in all rooms

Water heater has T&P relief valve with proper discharge pipe

No leaks from radiators or pipes

Building exterior and public spaces:

Entry doors secure and lock

Hallway lighting works

Fire exits unobstructed

No trash accumulation

Basement/boiler room accessible to inspector

How to Prepare: Tenant Pre-Inspection Checklist

Tenants should do their own walkthrough before the inspection:

• Test all smoke and CO detectors (press test button)
• Replace any dead batteries if you have battery-operated units
• Clear access to windows, doors, and fire exits
• Make sure all windows can open
• Report any maintenance issues to your landlord immediately
• Ensure utilities are on (if you're responsible for them)
• Be present or arrange for someone 18+ to provide access
• Keep the unit reasonably clean

If you notice problems the landlord hasn't fixed, document them and contact your Housing Authority. You can request a special inspection if there are serious health or safety issues.

Rescheduling an Inspection

If you can't be present for a scheduled inspection, you must reschedule in advance. NYCHA requires at least 48 hours notice. The fastest way to reschedule is through the NYCHA Self-Service Portal or by calling 718-707-7771.

Repeatedly failing to provide access (two times in 12 months for HPD) is considered a breach of tenant obligations and can result in termination from the program.

Non-Life-Threatening (NLT) Waiver for New Rentals

NYCHA offers an option to move forward with a new rental even if the unit fails for non-life-threatening conditions, with the tenant's consent. The landlord must still complete repairs within 30 days or face payment suspension. This helps speed up the leasing process when minor issues are found during initial inspection.

The tenant signs a waiver acknowledging the conditions and agreeing to move in while repairs are completed. This option is not available for life-threatening violations.

Contact Information

NYCHA:

Customer Contact Center: 718-707-7771

Owner Extranet (submit certifications, view inspection results)

Tenant Self-Service Portal (view inspection results, reschedule)

HQS Inspections page

Housing Quality Standards FAQ

HPD:

Client Services: 917-286-4300

Inspections page

eCertification system (certify corrections online)

Code Enforcement Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island: 718-802-3620

Code Enforcement Manhattan/Bronx: 212-863-7001

HCR:

Subsidy Services Bureau: 212-480-6672

Resources

• NYCHA Housing Quality Standards
• NYCHA Property Owner Guide
• NYCHA Tenant Guide
• HPD Section 8 Inspections
• HUD HQS Inspection Form (52580)
• HUD NSPIRE Standards

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