Property Inspections


General Information

Resident Notification

Tax Credit Properties

Brochure: Properties We Monitor (3.6 MB PDF)

       

Bond Properties

Questions

Web Resource for Common Problems

Specific Information for Resident
 

General Information
Properties are inspected regularly by Commission Compliance Officers or by one of our funding partners (currently Department of Community Trade and Economic Development - Housing Services, the City of Seattle Office of Housing, City of Tacoma Community and Economic Development Housing Development Section and USDA Rural Development Washington - Rural Housing Service are doing inspections for us).  The property will receive a written notice before the inspection.  Resident Managers must send a written notification to ALL residents at least 48 hours prior to the inspection in accordance with state Landlord/Tenant Law.

Resident Notification (DOC)  Updated March 2007

 

Tax Credit Properties
Section 42 states that HUD Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Uniform Physical Conditions Standards will be used for inspections of Tax Credit properties.  Properties must be inspected a minimum of once every three years.

 

Inspection Regulations

  1. Compliance Monitoring Regulations for Section 42 (PDF) from Federal Register

  2. UPCS Requirement (PDF) from Federal Register
     

Certifications Requirements
Commission notices of inspection for Tax Credit Properties includes a Checklist and Explanation of Certification Requirements Updated May 2007

 

Unit Selection
At least 20% of the properties’ units will be randomly selected for inspection.  The IRS stipulates that owners cannot be given advance notice of the units selected.   Owners are required to submit copies of Resident Certification packages for all units inspected no later than 10 business days after the inspection per the instructions during the inspection.  All packages are sent to the Commission's Seattle office.

 

Inspection Procedures
Inspectors look for deficiencies in the following areas:

  • Area 1—Site
     Fencing & Gates, Grounds, Storm Drainage, Play Areas & Equipment, Walkways & Steps, Refuse Disposal, Mailboxes, Market Appeal, Parking Lots, Driveways & Roads, Retaining Walls

  • Area 2—Building Exterior
     Doors, FHEO Access, Fire Escapes, Foundations, Lighting, Roofs, Walls, Windows

  • Area 3—Building Systems
     Domestic Water, Electrical, Elevators, Emergency Power, Exhaust System, Fire Protection, HVAC, Sanitary System

  • Area 4—Common Areas
     Basement/Garage/Carport, Mechanical/Utility Closet, Patio/Porch/Balcony, FHEO Hallways/Routes, Stairs/Corridors, Kitchen, Laundry Room, Pools, Restrooms

  • Area 5—Health and Safety
    Air Quality, Electrical Hazard, Elevator, Emergency Fire Exits, Flammable Materials, Garbage & Debris, Hazards, Infestation

  • Area 6—Units
    Bathrooms, Call for Aid, Ceiling, Doors, Electrical System, Floors, Hot Water Heater, HVAC System, Kitchen, Laundry Area, Lighting, Outlets/Switches, Patio/Porch/Balcony, Smoke Detector, Stairs, Walls, Windows

 

Inspection Findings
If there are items that need immediate attention or remedy, the inspector will complete an “Items Needing Immediate Attention or Remedy” form and leave a signed copy of this form at the property.  After the inspection is completed, the inspector will provide a written summary of any findings to the owner and property manager.  The owner is responsible for maintaining the property and correcting deficiencies, other deficiencies could exist that were not detected by the inspector.

 

Bond Properties
Properties must be inspected a minimum of once every three years. 
A minimum of 10% of the properties’ units will be randomly selected for inspections. 


Questions?
Call or email the Compliance Officer assigned to the property
 

Web Resources for Common Problems
The following websites below offer information about how to deal with some of the common deficiencies encountered during on-site inspections. 

Accessibility - Fair Housing Accessibility First

Drug Labs - WADOH Clandestine Drug Lab (CDL) Publications

Domestic Violence - Crystal Judson Family Justice Center in Tacoma UPDATED

Environmental Health and Safety Information by Subject from WADOH - Topics covered include: Mosquitoes, Ticks, Yellow Jackets and much more.  NEW (5/08)

Fair Housing Posters - HUD (PDF), King County Office of Civil Rights (English PDF, Spanish PDF) NEW

Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage (WAC 296-155-270) - local codes and rules may be more restrictive NEW

Lead - HUD Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control                                                  Washington State Lead-Based Paint Program Accredited Training Providers from CTED NEW

Mold - Resources from EPA Indoor Air

Plumbing Problems - Toiletology 101

Recycling Assistance -  1-800-RECYCLE NEW                                                                Call or search the Ecology online database to find a complete listing of WA recycling centers near you that can recycle difficult items like electronics and batteries.

Safety & Construction Posters-  WA State L & I NEW

Smoke Detectors - RCW 43.44.110
This is the code for Washington, local codes may be more restrictive.

Smoke Free Housing - smokefreehousingnw.org NEW

Toxic Waste - Department of Ecology On-Line Guide.  What to do if you discover toxic wastes on your property

Other information related to site visits:

Illegal Provisions in Rental Agreements - Office of the Attorney General Landlord/Tenant Law (PDF)

The Commission Preservation Resources page offers a number of helpful links.  Other Commission websites such as the Events Calendar and Compliance Resources may offer helpful information.

 

Specific Information for Resident
 Residents should contact their Apartment Manager with any maintenance or repair requests.  Most properties request that residents fill out a written work request.

 

This page was last modified on 5/11/2008.