Inspection Process

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.