HUD REAC has published a document titled “NSPIRE Inspection Protocol & Guidance”, which was dated August of 2024, but was just recently released.
This document does not change any of the NSPIRE standards or deficiencies, it is a list of rules and procedures for everyday HUD REAC Inspections using the NSPIRE Standards. These rules relate to important elements of clarification such as unit sampling, dealing with exceptions on inspections.
This includes:
REAC Inspection Code of Conduct
There are many issues that come up during the course of a REAC Inspection. Property owners and managers are under tremendous pressure and scrutiny and both inspectors and management enter private homes throughout the day, which can always be sensitive. This document outlines requirements for inspectors to maintain a professional demeanor at all times adhere to basic attire requirements, and respect resident privacy and reasonable requests from management.
It also details important clarifications on REAC Inspectors being required to refrain from expressing opinions or comments about the nature of a property or the residents. Also vital, REAC Inspectors are instructed to not engage in any behavior that may be construed as harassment, including any comments about race, gender, or sexual orientation.
REAC NSPIRE Inspection Procedure and Rules
REAC Inspections often find themselves at the intersection of things that cannot be controlled, like weather, illness, and other sudden changes. This document outlines the steps required for notification, what to do in the event of a change to the inspection schedule, and confirming basic data like date, time, and meeting location. Again, there are always scenarios that arise, travel delays, severe weather, or other emergencies – this document outlines a protocol for what to do in each of these scenarios.
Additionally, it is very important to know what documentation is required to gather for the inspector. This document provides an exhaustive list, including a rent roll, any lead based paint certification, a site map, and crucial information such as construction date, and certificates for boilers, life safety systems, and elevators. Also crucially important is a copy of the notice to there residents, which is required to ensure that residents have been properly informed.
Sampling Units, Excluding Buildings and Areas, and Other Inspection Procedures
Seemingly no two properties are exactly the same, and dealing with all those differences takes some pretty intricate rules. Well this document outlines all of them in one place, which is something that wasn’t included previous publications. There are so many variables that it isn’t possible to list it all here, but a summary of the topics covered includes:
- Handling Commercially Leased Spaces
- Selecting Alternate Units
- Dealing with “Renovations and Modernization in Progress”
- Vacant Units
- Unit Sampling
- Differences between Insured and Non-Insured Properties
- Permanent and Temporarily Offline Units
This relatively short document contains a wide range of references for HUD REAC Inspections using the NSPIRE Standards, and it will be something to refer to until a subsequent notice is published.
It should be noted that this document only relates to HUD REAC Inspections, and does not apply to NSPIRE standards being used on LIHTC, HOME, Vouchers, or other programs using NSPIRE but the inspections are completed by another agency or authority.
