Section 8 Pre-Inspection Checklist
Walk through the unit, identify follow-up work and keep a preparation record for each property.
Before the walkthrough
- Confirm the agency, inspection date, inspection standard and which building areas need access.
- Have the current notice, prior repair list and agency checklist available. Check utilities and arrange access with the resident.
- Record any issue you find and who will address it. Follow urgent safety instructions immediately; do not wait for the scheduled inspection.
Need more detail? Start with the room-by-room preparation guide. For an NYC voucher, compare NYCHA and HPD inspection procedures. Outside NYC, find your housing authority.
Section 8 Pre-Inspection Checklist
VoucherMatch - - Prepared on 11/15/2026
A preparation record, not an inspection result. Check a box after reviewing the item and arranging any needed follow-up. A checked item does not establish compliance or a repair deadline. Follow your agency’s inspection notice, including urgent repairs and proof of correction.
Prompts revised October 13, 2026. Changed requirements need to be reviewed again even if you saved an older checklist. Confirm local room-size, electrical and alarm requirements. Avoid disturbing suspected lead paint or attempting electrical or gas repairs yourself.
Read the preparation walkthrough or the NYCHA and HPD inspection guide. Sources: HUD inspection procedures and NYCHA requirements.
Inspection preparation questions
Does completing this checklist mean the apartment will pass?
No. This is your preparation record, not an agency inspection or certification. The inspector applies the standards for the program, property and local rules. Keep repair records and follow any notice the agency issues.
Is my agency using HQS or NSPIRE?
Ask the office arranging the inspection. HUD Notice PIH 2026-18 allows agencies to complete the voucher-program transition to NSPIRE by February 1, 2027. Some have already transitioned. Smoke and carbon monoxide requirements apply during the transition, so continuing with HQS does not mean older alarm rules still apply.
Do I always get 30 days to repair a problem?
No. An urgent condition may require action much sooner. Your notice identifies the deficiency, responsible party, correction deadline and how to certify repairs. Ask the agency about any extension or reinspection; checking a box here does not satisfy those instructions.
Are bedroom sizes and electrical requirements the same everywhere?
Do not assume they are. Confirm the administering agency’s standards and applicable local rules. For example, NYCHA’s published guidance specifies an 80-square-foot sleeping area. A generic 70-square-foot checklist would not establish compliance with that requirement.
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