SCCHA inspects your rental home to ensure it meets the agency’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS). HQS are the minimum standards a unit must meet in order to be assisted under the program. There are four types of inspections conducted by SCCHA:
- New Contract Inspection - Conducted when a family submits a request to move to a new unit.
- Regularly Scheduled Inspection - Conducted on units currently covered under a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.
- Special Inspection - Conducted outside the regularly scheduled inspection.
- Quality Control (QC) Inspection - Type of inspection to verify the original inspection was conducted in accordance with HQS to verify quality control.
For a copy of the HQS checklist please click here
New Contract Inspections
Once a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet is received and reviewed, a New Contract Inspection will be scheduled.
- The owner/landlord will be contacted to schedule the inspection.
- The owner/landlord/authorized representative must be present at the inspection.
- The inspector will compare the unit to other comparable units and determine the reasonable rent.
- The inspection report summary will be provided during the inspection.
- If the unit does not pass, the inspection will be rescheduled one time.
- If the unit does not pass after the second inspection, the RFTA packet will be disapproved.
Regularly Scheduled Inspections
Units under a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract will be inspected at least biennially (every two years).
- The owner/landlord and participant will receive written notification of the inspection date and timeframe.
- The participant or authorized representative (18 years or older) must be present at the inspection.
- The inspection results will be mailed to the owner/landlord and the tenant.
- If the unit does not pass due to a non life-threatening deficiency, a self-certification form will be mailed and must be returned within 30 days.
- If the unit does not pass due to a life-threatening deficiency, repairs must be made within 24 hours. A recheck inspection will be scheduled.
Special Inspection and QC Inspection
Special inspections and QC inspections will be scheduled as determined by SCCHA.
- The owner/landlord and participant will receive written or verbal notification of the inspection date and time frame and the reason for the inspection.
- The participant or authorized representative (18 years or older) must be present at the inspection.