Housing Quality Standard Inspections

All units must meet the Housing Quality Standards performance requirements, upon rental and throughout the assisted tenancy.

Type of Inspections Description
Initials (New Rentals & Transfers) Initial rental inspections prior to the tenant moving into the unit or transferring to a new unit. The owner must only call NYCHA to schedule a new Rental/Transfer Inspection when the unit is ready.
Regular Required inspection to ensure the unit continues to meet Housing Quality Standards. NYCHA schedules the inspections and will notify the tenant and owner by appointment letter.
Special Tenant requested inspection of the unit and/or public space. Tenant must notify the owner of the outstanding repairs before contacting NYCHA.
Quality Control Inspections to ensure Housing Quality Standards are enforced. NYCHA schedules Quality Control Inspections and notifies the tenant.


Before a Housing Quality Standards inspection, you should:

  • Conduct a pre-inspection of your unit and notify your Section 8 property owner/manager of any items that need to be repaired or replaced. Addressing a maintenance issue before an inspection may help the unit pass inspection and prevent suspension of subsidy.
  • Ensure you or someone 18 years of age or older will be present to allow the inspector access to the unit. The inspector will not enter without an adult present in the unit.
  • Promptly reschedule the inspection if you are unable to keep the appointment. NYCHA requires at least 48 hours advance notice. The fastest and most convenient way to reschedule the appointment is online, using the NYCHA Tenant Self-Service Portal. You may also call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.


After a Housing Quality Standards inspection, you should:

  • Log on to the NYCHA Tenant Self-Service Portal 24 hours after the inspection to view the results. NYCHA will also notify you and the property owner of the results by mail.
  • If the unit fails the inspection, you must allow the property owner/manager access to the unit to complete repairs. Failure to do so will result in termination action.
  • You will be responsible for correcting any “tenant-caused” HQS violations.


General HQS Requirements

All subsidized units must meet the following requirements under the Section 8 program:

Unit Requirements Description
Rooms (General)
  • At minimum, the unit must have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and one living/sleeping room for every two family members.
  • Bedrooms must be at least 80 square feet.
  • The living room can be used as a sleeping room.
  • Ceilings, walls, windows, and floors must be in good conditions and free of cracks, holes, etc.
Electrical Outlets and Light Fixtures
  • Each bedroom must have either two electrical outlets or one outlet and one permanent light fixture.
Kitchen and Bathroom
  • In the kitchen, any outlet installed within 6 feet of a water source must be a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet if the unit was built or renovated after 1986. Any outlet in the bathroom must be a GFCI outlet if the unit was built or renovated after 1996.
  • Bathrooms require a permanent light fixture but no outlet.
  • The kitchen requires a permanent outlet but no light fixture.
Smoke Detectors
  • All units must have at least one smoke detector that is battery operated, hardwired, or hard-wired with a back-up battery on each level of the unit.
  • They must be installed on a ceiling or on a wall 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
  • If a tenant is hearing impaired, the alarm must be designed for hearing-impaired persons.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • All units must have a carbon monoxide detector that is battery-operated, hard-wired, or hard-wired with a back-up battery
  • They must be installed in the unit within 15 feet of any sleeping area. They cannot be installed in a bathroom or kitchen or within 5 feet of gas cooking appliances.
  • If a tenant is hearing impaired, the alarm must be designed for hearing-impaired persons.
Windows
  • There must be a least one window that opens and closes or a skylight in each bedroom to provide ventilation and illumination.
  • Windows must also have permanently attached and adequate locks.
Window Guards
  • New York City law requires owners of multiple dwellings where children 10 years of age or younger reside to install and maintain window guards in (1) the units where those children reside; and (2) the public spaces.
Heat and Hot Water
  • Each unit must have an adequate source of heat and hot water, and hot water sources must meet established minimum/maximum temperatures.