Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS): Physical Condition Scoring Notice and Revised Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions, 47707-47759 [2012-19335]
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Vol. 77
Thursday,
No. 154
August 9, 2012
Part II
Department of Housing and Urban
Development
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Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS): Physical Condition Scoring
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
toll-free number). Persons with hearing
or speech impairments may access this
number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Relay Service at 800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–5526–N–02]
Public Housing Assessment System
(PHAS): Physical Condition Scoring
Notice and Revised Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Claudia J. Yarus, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, Office of
Public and Indian Housing, Real Estate
Assessment Center (REAC), 550 12th
Street SW., Suite 100, Washington, DC
20410 at 202–475–8830 (this is not a
I. The October 13, 2011 Notice for
Comment
On October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63640),
HUD published for public comment a
notice revising the scoring protocol for
the PHAS physical condition indicator
and making changes to the Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions. The major
revision was the addition of a point loss
cap, which limits the amount by which
a single deficiency in an inspectable
area could reduce the overall property
score, in response to complaints by
PHAs that there were situations where
the reduction from a single deficiency
was so severe as to be unfair.
Inspectable areas include site, building
exterior, building system, common
areas, and dwelling units. Under the
point loss cap proposed for comment,
the maximum point deduction for single
deficiencies for the site is 7.5 points; for
the building exterior, building system,
and common areas, 10 points each; and
for dwelling units, 5 points. Conforming
changes proposed to implement the
point loss cap are described in the
October 13, 2011, notice; see 76 FR
63641.
In addition to the point loss cap,
changes were proposed to the
inspection software and to the
Dictionary of Deficiency definitions.
The core functionality of the inspection
software has been modified to improve
data collection. It employs a decision
tree model that replaces the selectionbased model of recording observed
deficiencies. The inspection protocol
remains unchanged, but the overall
system will include the changes made to
the Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions
and the inclusion of a point loss cap
determined at the inspectable area level.
In the notice for comment, the
Dictionary of Deficiencies was proposed
to be changed to introduce
clarifications. Technical modifications
and clarifications were made to a
number of deficiencies under
inspectable items, including building
exterior, building systems, common
areas, units, site, and health and safety.
The specific changes proposed are
found at 76 FR 63648–63654 (October
13, 2011).
II. This Final Notice
This final PHAS Indicator #1
(physical condition) scoring notice,
except for the technical and conforming
changes to the Dictionary stated in the
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Final Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice provides
additional information to public
housing agencies (PHAs) and members
of the public about HUD’s process for
issuing scores under the Physical
Condition Indicator of the PHAS under
the PHAS Physical Condition Scoring
Process notice published on February
23, 2011. In addition, this notice makes
changes to the Dictionary of Deficiency
Definitions (Dictionary). This notice
follows a notice for comment that was
published on October 13, 2011, and
makes additional changes to the
Dictionary as a result of public
comments. Because some of these
changes to the Dictionary affect the Item
Weights and Criticality Levels for the
inspectable items for which changes
have been made, this notice republishes
the entire Item Weights and Criticality
Levels table as well as the entire
Dictionary as Appendices.
The process for issuing scores and the
changes in this notice apply to the
physical condition inspection process
for both multifamily and public housing
properties.
DATES: Effective Dates: For public
housing properties, this notice is
effective September 10, 2012, and will
be applicable to PHAs with fiscal years
ending on December 31, 2012, and
thereafter. For multifamily housing
properties assisted with project-based
Section 8 that is attached to the
structure, section 202 and section 811
capital advances and loans for
supportive housing for the elderly and
persons with disabilities, and for
multifamily housing properties with
mortgages insured or held by HUD or
that are receiving insurance from HUD,
as listed at 24 CFR 200.853(b), this
notice is effective for all inspections
conducted on January 1, 2013 and
thereafter.
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SUMMARY:
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responses to public comments, is the
same as the proposed notice published
for comment on October 13, 2011 (76 FR
63640), including the point loss cap.
Changes are made to the Dictionary.
The proposed change to building
exterior/windows, missing/deteriorated
caulk, seals, glazing compound requires
conforming changes to two other
deficiencies regarding windows. In the
deficiency for units, kitchen, range
Hood/Exhaust Fans, Excessive Grease/
Inoperable, which applies to both
common areas and units, this final
notice, pursuant to public comment,
removes the note referencing this
deficiency as a health and safety hazard.
In response to a comment raising a
possible inconsistency in terminology,
the ‘‘site, fencing, and gates’’ deficiency
and the ‘‘common area, pools, and
related structures’’ deficiency are now
both referenced as ‘‘pools and related
structures (common areas).’’ The
deficiencies for fences in this final
notice are for ‘‘non-security/non-safety
fences’’ and ‘‘security/safety fences.’’ In
the deficiency for site, grounds, ponding
and site drainage, the severity level 2
and 3 definitions are revised to state (for
level 2) ‘‘at least 100 square feet’’ and
(for level three) ‘‘over 100 square feet.’’
In the deficiency for site, parking lots/
driveways/roads, damaged paving,
pursuant to a public comment, this final
notice adds a note clarifying that
repaired or sealed cracks are not
considered a deficiency. Likewise, this
final notice adds a similar note to the
definition for damaged walls in
common areas and in units.
In the definition related to common
areas, ceiling, mold, this final notice
revises the definition to read ‘‘You see
mold or mildew that may have been
caused by saturation or surface failure,
or evidence of water infiltration or other
moisture producing conditions,’’ and
the title of the definition is revised to
conform. Similar deficiency definitions
for common areas walls and floors and
unit ceiling, walls, and floors are
revised to conform.
The deficiency definitions regarding
soft and hard floor coverings in
dwelling units are revised in this final
notice to conform to the proposed
definitions for floor coverings in
common areas. Also, pursuant to a
public comment, in the deficiency for
common areas, floors, rot/deteriorated
subfloor, the comment on level 3 is
revised to be consistent with other
similar notes instructing the inspector to
notify the PHA of possible failure of the
item and recommend an engineering
inspection.
Because the conforming amendments
occur throughout the Dictionary, the
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entire Dictionary is republished as
Appendix 2 to this notice. Appendix 1
is the revised Item Weights and
Criticality Levels table with the changes
that correspond to the changes in the
Definitions.
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III. The Public Comments
The public comment period for the
October 13, 2011 notice closed on
November 14, 2011. By the close of the
public comment period, HUD received
comments from 8 commenters.
Commenters included public housing
agencies (PHAs) and trade associations
involved in public housing and real
estate. Two of the commenters, in
addition to their comments on this
notice, re-submitted comments that
were originally submitted in 2004 in
response to an earlier proposed revision
of the Dictionary of Deficiency
Definitions (see 69 FR 12475 et seq.,
March 16, 2004). These comments are
indicated by ‘‘(2004)’’ after the
comment.
A summary of the significant issues
raised in the public comments, and
HUD’s responses, follows.
A. Physical Inspections
Issue: Physical inspections generally.
A commenter stated that the physical
condition scoring process is
complicated and expensive to
implement and does not adequately
measure the condition of public housing
properties or the management of the
PHA. This commenter stated that the
process is too complicated with overly
rigid rules, and HUD should focus on
adjustments that streamline and
simplify the system based on a risk
management approach.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that
the process is too complicated and rigid.
The Uniform Physical Condition
Standards (UPCS) inspection protocol
was designed to be a uniform inspection
process and standard for HUD’s
portfolio of assisted and insured
housing through equitable, fair and
accurate assessments. Both the
applicable multifamily and public
housing regulations employ a risk based
approach with respect to the frequency
of inspections based on the results the
UPCS inspection. UPCS was designed to
assess the condition of the housing (i.e.,
decent, safe and sanitary and in good
repair). Efficacy of management
operations is assessed and measured
under separately protocols under a
separate PHAS indicator and under the
Office of Housing (HUD form 9834
Management Review).
Another commenter stated that HUD
should ensure that the changes are
consistent with the Administration’s
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efforts to streamline rental housing
programs through reducing physical
inspections. According to the
commenter, in July 2011, the White
House released an alignment report that
provided a number of suggestions from
industry stakeholders for reducing the
number of annual inspections of
multifamily properties receiving
multiple federal subsidies. The
commenter stated that many of these
housing programs have a variety of
physical inspection requirements,
resulting in multiple inspections of a
single property annually. According to
the commenter, the report suggested
expanding use of REAC use of all
Uniform Physical Condition Standards
(UPCS) for all inspections on federallyassisted properties or adjusting REAC’s
input methods to allow for non-REAC
inspections to be ‘read’ into the system
in order to create a system for
standardized comparison. On November
7, the White House announced it was
moving forward with a pilot program to
reduce physical inspections for
federally-assisted, privately-owned
multifamily properties in the states of
Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington,
Minnesota, Oregon and Ohio. A
commenter asked HUD to collaborate
with the Departments of Agriculture
(USDA) and Treasury to ensure
consistency among the physical
inspection methodologies and protocols
for mixed-financed properties in the
pilot program and any subsequent
national program.
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the
focus on streamlining the physical
inspection protocol for all federally
assisted housing programs. HUD is
working to pursue the alignment of the
physical inspection process across
agencies as part of the Interagency
Rental Policy Working Group which is
the main source of information going to
and from the White House. This group,
represented by numerous Federal
Agencies including the Departments of
Agriculture (USDA) and Treasury, seeks
alignment of administrative
requirements of federal housing
programs to reduce administrative
burden and to avoid unnecessary
governmental cost. HUD can confirm
that inspections have begun in some of
the states above with the inspections of
the other states being scheduled. To
ensure consistency in the inspection
process, HUD has suggested to the
working group that the UPCS inspection
protocol should be used for all
inspections on federally-assisted
properties in its current format, or at
least, investigate minor adjustments to
the UPCS software while seeking
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methods to allow for non-REAC
inspections to be reported and recorded
into REAC’s database. HUD is
committed to continue this alignment
effort after the final results, analysis and
report is sent to the White House.
Issue: Inconsistent inspections. A
commenter submitted an example
where a PHA spent $20 million on a
comprehensive modernization, yet ‘‘the
property received an almost failing
score due to the incompetency of the
inspector.’’ This commenter stated that
results are influenced unreasonably
because of intimidation of HUD Quality
Assurance inspectors during random
inspections.
HUD Response: Each inspection is
based on the observations at the time it
is conducted and thus it is always a
possibility that improvements may not
be in place or items not functioning at
that time. Because inspectors are to
record all observed deficiencies,
whether or not a HUD Quality
Assurance (QA) inspector is on site
during an inspection, in accordance
with the UPCS inspection protocol, the
inspector must call out and record all
deficiencies observed in the five
inspectable areas. If a multifamily
owner/PHA feels that a deficiency the
inspector called out and cited does not
exist, the multifamily owner/PHA
should document and submit a request
for a technical review as provided in 24
CFR 902.68 for public housing and 24
CFR 200.857(d) for multifamily housing,
or request for a database adjustment as
provided in 24 CFR 902.24 for public
housing and 24 CFR 200.857(e) for
multifamily housing.
With respect to the QA inspectors,
they are on site to ensure that the
inspection is complete and valid and
that the contract inspector conducts the
inspection in accordance with the UPCS
protocol. Should a property feel that a
QA inspector exhibited undue pressure
during the course of an inspection, HUD
advises the multifamily owner/PHA to
contact the Physical Inspection QA
Manager.
Issue: A commenter stated that a
major concern is lack of consistency and
fairness by the contracted inspectors,
where some inspectors seem to be
knowledgeable and interested in
performing a true assessment of the
physical condition of the PHA, while
others have poor attitudes, lack
professionalism, and questionable
abilities to perform the inspections. This
commenter also stated that inspectors
do not appear to have a consistent set
of guidelines and are often ‘‘guided by
personal and subjective’’ preferences.
This commenter claims that each time a
PHAS inspection is carried out the
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inspector concentrates on ‘‘a new
deficiency of the day.’’ The inspection
process must be fair and consistent, as
the physical inspection has the largest
influence on the overall PHAS score.
HUD Response: Over the past 12
years, HUD has invested significant
resources to assure consistent
application of established standards,
including a team of HUD ‘‘quality
assurance’’ inspectors. While always
striving to continue to improve the
accuracy of its inspections, HUD
believes that the inspection process
provides a reasonable indication of the
physical condition at the time of
inspection of each project. Of course,
conditions can vary from year to year.
As such, HUD trains all UPCS
inspectors. Only those individuals who
meet specific knowledge and experience
requirements to be UPCS inspectors
participate in the UPCS training. The
UPCS training which currently consists
of classroom and written testing
followed by field testing of actual
inspections is being updated in 2012 to
include a preliminary on line
component. In 2012 HUD also will
utilize the Internet to deliver training
and provide update to inspectors using
webcasts, Skype and Live Meeting.
Through these training methods,
participants will be able to ask
questions that can be addressed
immediately.
The Data Collection Device (DCD) 4.0
inspection software being released with
this Notice is yet another way for HUD
to achieve even greater consistency
between inspectors and inspections.
The 4.0 software enhances objectivity
because it is uses a ‘‘decision tree’’
model. Based on answers to questions,
the software guides the inspector in
recording the level of the observed
deficiency.
HUD asks multifamily owners/PHAs
that have concerns about an inspector’s
ability to contact the REAC Technical
Assistance Center at 1–888–245–4860.
Issue: A commenter stated that the
reduced inspection frequency for highscoring properties creates a perverse
incentive for inspectors to note
additional deficiencies and elevate
severity levels to maintain demand for
their services. This commenter stated
that it ‘‘has received several reports of
irregularities in the baseline inspection
process’’ supporting this concern, and
suggests changes in inspector oversight
and the inspection protocol.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that
the frequency of inspections influences
the number and severity level of
deficiencies that inspectors cite. HUD
review of thousands of physical
inspection reports does not find this
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issue to be present. The size of the
assisted and insured property portfolio
subject to UPCS inspection is large
enough that there is no incentive for
inspectors to cite deficiencies to ensure
their continued service. Nonetheless, if
a multifamily owner/PHA has a specific
basis for concern about an inspector or
inspection they have the option to
contact the REAC Technical Assistance
Center (TAC) at 1–888–245–4860. All
such calls are referred to the Inspector
Administration Division that
investigates the reported concern.
Issue: Improper focus. A commenter
stated that the UPCS inspection criteria
do not line up well with the priorities
of residents. The criteria force PHAs to
spend significant time and resources to
correct deficiencies found in
inspections, at the expense of other
enhancements that would improve
quality of life for residents. By
demanding a focus on individual
deficiencies, UPCS scoring creates a
barrier to allowing PHAs to pursue a
more holistic approach. For example, by
emphasizing fogged window panes, bent
fences, and other items that do not
present a health and safety risk, UPCS
scores divert attention from larger-scale
improvements like unit
reconfigurations, replacement of
obsolete but functional fixtures, and
other efforts that improve overall
livability.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that
the scoring is a barrier to multifamily
owners/PHAs pursuing a holistic
approach to property management. The
UPCS is comprehensive in scope,
assessing the overall physical condition
of the entire property. HUD defers to
multifamily owners/PHAs on the
amenities and resident priorities they
wish to provide and pursue.
Maintaining decent safe and sanitary
housing that is in good repair is not
inconsistent with developing and
implementing modernization projects
and capital improvement plans that
contribute to livability.
Issue: Suggestions for improving
inspections. A commenter stated that
inspectors should be required to provide
documentation and evidence of all
deficiencies recorded against a property,
which will encourage adherence to the
Dictionary of Definitions by inspectors,
provide the PHA with information to
address the deficiency, and provide a
factual basis for appeals. This
commenter also stated that there should
be automatic quality control
reinspection when a score decreases by
20 points or more from one inspection
to the next, in addition to the
reinspection when the score increases,
so as to be neutral with reinspections.
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To minimize administrative burden, the
PHA could have the option to decline
the reinspection for a large score
decrease if it believes it is accurate.
HUD Response: Since HUD began
conducting UPCS inspections in 1998,
properties have received an exigent
health and safety report at the
conclusion of each day of the inspection
and an overall physical inspection
report that identifies all deficiencies
observed after the inspection is scored.
As part of the new 4.0 software, that
physical inspection report will include
a location for each deficiency cited. All
of this information, along with any
information noted by the property
representative that accompanies the
inspector throughout the inspection,
provides the property with the
information necessary to submit an
appeal.
HUD disagrees that there should be an
automatic quality assurance reinspection when the score changes by
20 or more points from the previous
inspection. The determination as to
when HUD will conduct a quality
assurance re-inspection after an
inspection has been conducted is based
on the overall review of the inspection
report, which review includes
consideration of the change in the score
(either a decrease or increase) from the
previous inspection. In all instances
HUD considers input from the
multifamily owner/PHA when making
the determination to do a quality
assurance review, but the final
determination still rests with HUD.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD
should address the disproportionate
effect on scoring when there are few
buildings or units.
HUD Response: The point loss cap as
described in the proposed notice that
will be implemented in the 4.0 software
mitigates the disproportionate impact or
effect on scoring for the five inspectable
areas for properties with one or few
buildings.
Issue: Tenant-caused issues and
matters outside PHA’s control. Several
commenters stated that points should
not be deducted for tenant-caused
deficiencies or other matters stated to be
outside the control of the PHA.
A commenter stated that tenantcaused deficiencies should not cause a
reduction in the score where the tenants
have disobeyed rules or instructions
from the PHA. Another commenter
stated that a greater emphasis is placed
on the site in areas that have little to no
impact on the integrity of the units, and
the residents’ quality of living becomes
increasingly compromised. As funding
is reduced, PHAs will have to choose
whether to expend those funds to
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ensure that residents have safe, secure,
and decent affordable housing, or using
the funds to retain high performer
status.
A commenter stated that points
should not be deducted where the
tenant commits a lease violation that the
PHA could not reasonably have
prevented, or where the tenant fails to
report an issue with the unit. This
commenter stated that the most frequent
of these are: tenant refuses to admit an
inspector; tenant created safety
violations that are not visible outside
the unit, such as trip hazards, tampering
with the call-for-aid feature, or furniture
too close to the heating source;
unreported damage since the last PHA
inspection, such as physical damage to
walls and cabinets, misplacing or
damaging the basin plug, cracked or
removed plate covers, and damaged
plumbing. At a minimum, appropriate
time should be given to remedy these
issues and points ‘‘recaptured’’
accordingly.
A commenter stated that PHAs should
not be held accountable for tenantcreated deficiencies that cannot be
controlled by management, such as
blocking egress by placement of
furniture or adding additional locks
after the PHA’s inspection but before the
REAC inspection.
A commenter stated that PHAs should
not incur point deductions for matters
outside the control of the PHA,
including tenant-caused damage,
unreported damage, and deficiencies on
public property not controlled by the
PHA. This commenter cites the lack of
ability to appeal to HUD for these kinds
of deficiencies. As an example, the
commenter stated that in the case of
tenant-paid utilities, PHAs lose points
when the utilities have been shut off
and the PHA cannot show it has taken
any action with the tenant to remedy the
situation. Where the shut-off occurred
shortly before the REAC inspection, the
PHA has had no time to take action, yet
it loses points with no appeal option.
HUD Response: The multifamily
owner/PHA is ultimately responsible for
the physical condition of a unit, and
should enforce the appropriate
provisions of the lease or other
directives if a resident does not comply
with them. This includes a resident’s
failure to maintain the equipment (that
is leased with the unit) in acceptable
condition, causing damage to the unit,
altering the unit or creating safety
hazards. Further, if a resident causes
damage and fails to report it, the citation
of the deficiency will alert the
multifamily owner/PHA to the existence
of the problem.
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With respect to the matter of appeals,
through the technical review/database
adjustment process, HUD makes
adjustments for deficiencies on public
property that is not controlled by the
PHA. Database adjustments may be
made prior to or after the inspection and
once HUD approves a database
adjustment, it is recorded in HUD’s
records. For all approved database
adjustments, HUD automatically adjusts
the inspection by restoring points after
each subsequent inspection so that
when the inspection report is issued,
the multifamily owner/PHA does not
have to file another request.
HUD does not consider appeals for
tenant caused damage because under
statute (See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. 1437d(f)(1))
and contract (e.g., the ACC) such
damage is the responsibility of the
multifamily owner/PHA. Accordingly,
HUD reminds multifamily owners/PHAs
to schedule regular housekeeping and
preventative maintenance inspections
and ensure that a provision addressing
tenant caused damage issues is included
in the lease.
As stated, the citation in the
inspection serves to alert the PHA or
owner to the existence of unreported
damage.
Issue: Deferred maintenance plans
and seasonal issues. A commenter
stated that PHAs should not be
penalized for deficiencies that are
scheduled for future maintenance or
that are part of a deferred maintenance
plan due to weather or seasonal issues,
as weather is beyond the control of a
PHA. For instance, pooling of water on
a site may not be fixable during winter
when the ground is frozen.
HUD Response: HUD understands
budgetary constraints which are often
the cause for deferring maintenance
items. However, part of good
management is maintaining a
preventative maintenance schedule by
priority while considering the season(s)
that the work can take place. Since the
physical inspection of a unit is a
snapshot in time, if maintenance work
is planned but not yet begun at the time
of the inspection, the physical condition
is recorded in the inspection report.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD
should allow a specified time to correct
physical deficiencies found during the
inspection before points are deducted.
This commenter stated that Section 8
and multifamily housing programs
under HQS allow 30 days to correct
deficiencies, and 24 hours for lifethreatening issues.
HUD Response: The application of a
time delay in scoring in order to afford
the owner an opportunity to correct or
mitigate observed deficiencies is
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inconsistent with UPCS. Inspections
under UPCS, which was established in
1998 as a uniform inspection standard
that is applicable to all project based
housing assistance programs, are a
snapshot of the time at which the
inspection was conducted. Under the
applicable regulations, if the
multifamily owner/PHA believes the
inspector was in error or if there is an
objectively verifiable material error,
after receipt of the inspection report the
multifamily owner/PHA may file a
technical review or request for a
database adjustment, as applicable,
which may result in an improvement in
the property’s overall score.
B. Point Loss Caps
Issue: Point loss caps generally.
Several commenters supported the
general concept of point loss caps, but
stated that the point loss caps were still
too high, such that minor issues could
still lead to disproportionate point
reductions. One commenter specifically
mentioned the inspectable areas of site
and building exterior. One commenter
stated that especially EHS issues would
be overrepresented in the score despite
the point loss caps. This commenter
stated that this is particularly true for
scattered site developments, and for
such developments, the various sites
should be treated like buildings and
units and averaged for the number of
sites. One commenter stated that, while
the point loss cap provides some relief
to smaller PHAs, it ‘‘will not provide
much, if any, relief to housing
authorities and properties containing
larger numbers of units.’’
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that
the point loss caps are too high. The
point loss caps are based on statistical
analyses of thousands of inspections
and HUD believes they are reasonable in
mitigating the disproportionate impact
of deficiencies on property scores. The
point loss cap is a buildings-driven
concept—a concept based on the
number of buildings in a property, not
the number of units in the property.
Therefore, there will be relief in the
inspection scores for all properties that
are comprised of one or just a few
buildings.
Issue: Specific suggestions and
concerns about point deductions. One
commenter stated that point deductions
should be proportional to how many of
the items at issue there are on the
property. This commenter cites an
example of a small PHA that lost 15.2
points out of a possible 20.2 for site due
to various deficiencies including health
and safety violations for a missing water
valve cover and a loose screw on a piece
of playground equipment. The valve
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cover should have been considered in
proportion to how many such covers
there were on the site. The health and
safety deductions are the most
‘‘devastating’’ ones and are out of
proportion. The scoring system is
arbitrary and difficult to work with, and
does not focus sufficiently on the units,
which is where the residents actually
live.
HUD Response: Proportionality is one
of the equity principles built into the
scoring of all deficiencies. The
proportionality applied to a single
observed deficiency is dependent upon
the inspectable area in which the
inspectable item is located and the
deficiency definition that corresponds
to that specific deficiency. In addition to
the application of the equity principle of
proportionality, certain categories of
deficiencies result in larger point
deductions due to the potential impact
on residents, guests, and property staff.
Those categories of deficiencies are the
Level 3 deficiencies and all health and
safety deficiencies. Any health and
safety deficiency on the site affects all
property residents, guests, and staff and
therefore results in a larger point loss
than, for example, a health and safety
deficiency in one unit. In the situation
described by the commenter, the health
and safety deficiency of a missing cover
on site poses a personal injury risk and
creates opportunities for damage to a
building system. The health and safety
deficiency of a missing cover on the site
affects all property residents, guests,
and staff by, for example, posing a
personal injury risk and creating
opportunities for damage to the building
system or posing a personal injury risk,
and therefore results in a larger point
loss than, for example, a health and
safety deficiency in one unit.
Regarding the issue of focus on the
living units, as the scoring notice states,
of the five inspectable areas that
comprise a UPSC property inspection,
the dwelling unit inspectable area is
accorded the greatest weight and carries
the highest weight of 35 percent of the
total property score of 100.
C. Appeals and Adjustments
Issue: Appeals process. Several
commenters stated that changes should
be made to the appeals process. A
commenter stated that the requirements
for technical reviews are excessive and
often require a great deal of time and
expense to get an error corrected.
Technical reviews also exclude many of
the most common reasons a technical
review would be needed, such as
incorrect severity levels and
deficiencies caused by residents that the
agency could not have reasonably
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prevented or corrected. HUD should
engage a third party to review appeals,
allow for a more cost-effective
documentation standard, and, at a
minimum, allow agencies to appeal any
deficiency that would have sufficient
impact to make a difference in their
overall PHAS score. While this may
increase HUD costs, the significance of
physical inspection scores on housing
authority funding and status warrants a
fair and meaningful process.
A commenter stated that in cases
where PHAs wish to appeal, the appeals
should be heard by a neutral third party,
which is what PHAs are required to do
as to residents. The commenter also
stated that appeals should be allowed
even when they would not change the
overall designation of the agency. REAC
scores are relied on by lenders,
commissioners, and the general public
as measurements of the overall
condition and performance of PHAs, so
PHAs should be afforded the
opportunity to appeal mistakes affecting
those scores, regardless of whether it
would change the PHA’s overall
designation. Also, a change in score that
affects the frequency of inspection, even
if it does not affect the overall
designation, is material and should be
able to be appealed.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree
that the document requirements for
submitting technical reviews are
excessive. The majority of items for
which technical reviews are submitted
require only a date/time-stamped
photograph taken during the inspection
that clearly reflects the condition of the
inspectable area/item cited as a
deficiency. The other items for which a
signed and dated letter from a local fire
marshal or building code official is
required are often one-time letters that
verify state and local aspects such as fire
safety codes or ownership of fences and
sidewalks. To assist multifamily
owners/PHAs in preparing requests for
technical reviews, HUD has posted a
standard submission form along with
information and examples of required
documents on the Web site.
Additionally, the technical review
provisions in the applicable regulations
(24 CFR part 200 for multifamily owners
and 24 CFR part 902 for PHAs) were not
part of the public comment solicitation
and are outside the scope of this notice.
Accordingly, HUD is not making any
changes to these provisions.
Section 6(j)(2)(A)(iii) of the U.S.
Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C.
1437d(j)(2)(A)(iii), provides only for the
appeal of designation (including modtroubled), the petition to remove a
troubled designation, and the appeal of
a denial of such petition. Therefore
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these are the appeals provided in the
PHAS rule. This notice does not make
any changes to provide for appeals that
would not result in a change of
designation, nor is it within the scope
of this notice to do so.
HUD has several years experience
with appeals, and has found that the
mechanisms for technical reviews,
database adjustments and appeals
provide sufficient recourse to a PHA
where there are issues of record or fact
in dispute so that there is not a need for
a neutral third party hearing.
Issue: Score adjustments. A
commenter stated that score
adjustments should be allowed when
the PHA can show that it had already
contracted with a third party or
scheduled force account labor to do the
necessary repairs. In today’s budget
environment, PHAs do not have the
capacity to fix everything immediately.
HUD Response: HUD recognizes the
importance of prioritizing housing
repairs and encourages the owner to do
so in compliance with regulatory and
statutory requirements. However, HUD
does not consider a contract not yet in
force with work started or scheduled
force account labor as part of the score
as it would not be a credible inspection
of the property at the time of the
inspection. Because the physical
inspection of a unit is a snapshot in
time, if maintenance work is in progress
during the inspection of a unit, the
physical condition of the unit is
recorded in the inspection report.
Issue: Underfunding. A commenter
stated generally that given the backlog
of unmet capital needs, along with
dramatic reductions in the Capital
Fund, it is unfair to hold PHAs
accountable for the effects of these
constraints, and scoring should take
these factors into account. Another
commenter stated that with no control
over funding levels for operating and
capital, but fully accountable for the
condition of their properties, PHAs are
concerned about how to maintain their
properties given anticipated cuts to
funding levels. Funding levels should
be taken into account in measuring the
performance of PHAs.
HUD Response: HUD declines to
prorate these measures. Funding for all
multifamily owners/PHAs is subject to
the availability of appropriations and
those that make the most effective and
efficient use of their available resources
will, and should, score the most points
on their physical inspections.
Issue: Suggestions for taking funding
into account. A commenter suggested
the following formula: REAC Score/
Average funding reduction over last 5
years = adjusted REAC score, be used to
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determine the physical assessment
score.
HUD Response: The UPCS inspection
protocol as designed assesses the
physical condition of HUD assisted and
insured housing according to a uniform
standard. As an engineering protocol
based on observations at the time of the
inspection, it is delinked from funding
considerations. This is to ensure that
each inspection is objective and
verifiable without consideration of
external factors.
D. New Software
Issue: Software generally. A
commenter stated that providing
inspectors with the database
adjustments prior to the inspection will
streamline the inspection process for all
parties, saving inspectors time by
eliminating those items from the list of
inspectable items, reducing the burden
on HUD to correct the findings before
scores are issued, and allowing PHAs to
maintain their focus on addressing valid
findings.
HUD Response: HUD agrees that predatabase adjustments are appropriate
and stores approved pre-DBAs in the
REAC system for local code variances
and other approved items not owned by
the property such as fences or roads.
Due to the fact that the field office is
required to verify a request for a
database adjustment based on the
supporting documentation, the
inspector cannot make an adjustment
while on-site. While inspectors must
record the deficiencies in accordance
with the inspection protocol, the
inspection is adjusted automatically
after submission to the REAC system
and prior to final scoring. Guidelines
and a standardized submission form to
establish approved pre-DBAs are posted
on the HUD Web site.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD
should provide more information about
the new software before implementing
it, and should field test the software
thoroughly before rolling it out along
with the new definitions nationally. The
test should include different inspectors
using the software on the same
properties to identify inconsistency and
ensure objectivity before implementing
the final version.
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the
necessity for field testing the new
software. HUD has already completed a
number of field tests addressing various
scenarios and the QA inspectors are
conducting in house testing with mock
inspections. HUD is in the process of
developing web based demonstrations
for the various modules of the new
software that will be available on line in
the near future. In addition, HUD QA
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inspectors are working with the REAC
physical inspection staff in planning a
live demonstration that will be
announced as a webcast, Skype or Live
Meeting that will include real time
questions and answers.
E. Public Process
Issue: Public comment process. A
commenter urged HUD to engage the
industry in meaningful, informed, and
specific dialogue before adding
elements to the final notice which were
not previously available for comment
and discussion.
HUD Response: This final notice is
within the scope of the proposed notice,
on which the public has had
appropriate opportunity to comment.
F. Deficiency Definitions
Issue: Definitions generally: A
commenter stated that the updates are
‘‘very minor and will not make much
difference.’’
HUD Response: HUD disagrees. The
changes in the deficiency definitions in
this notice were designed to create
greater consistency among inspectors.
These definitional changes coupled
with the point loss cap scoring
enhancement will result in more
accurate and equitable assessments of
the physical condition of HUD
properties.
Issue: Duplication. A commenter
stated that HUD should limit duplicate
citations for a single item. For example,
a contiguous area of mold present on a
wall and adjacent ceiling is counted as
2 deficiencies when ‘‘logic suggests that
it should only be noted once.’’ This
commenter also stated that it is ‘‘double
jeopardy’’ to (in this example) also
deduct for poor air quality resulting
from the mold. In that case, only the
most severe of the deficiencies related to
the same item should be noted.
HUD Response: There is no
duplication in the example cited. Walls
and ceiling are separate and distinct
inspectable items within a given
inspectable area such as the unit. And,
while they have some similar applicable
deficiencies, they also have different
applicable deficiencies. As such in
accordance with the UPCS inspection
protocol, inspectors will record the
observed deficiency, as applicable, for
each inspection item. Recording only
one deficiency would not be accurate
and complete. Even a small amount of
mold or mildew can be potentially
dangerous, especially if it is allowed to
increase in size. The presence of mold
or mildew should be identified, and the
cause should be determined and
corrected. Because mold/mildew has
been recognized as a serious health and
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safety issue, it is also recorded as poor
air quality.
Issue: Proportionality. A commenter
stated that HUD should reconsider the
proportionality of the weights for
deficiencies, especially regarding sites,
to reflect a more realistic approach to
addressing deficiencies considering the
overall context and size of properties.
For example, a small deficiency, such as
ponding or a hole in a fence, will be
weighted in the same way over a small
site versus a large site regardless of
acreage, square footage, or number of
units, leading to disproportionate
results. Because deficiencies are not
weighted in proportion to the size of the
site, scores can be unreasonably
decreased and impact a PHA’s ability to
qualify for additional funding.
HUD Response: Under UPCS there is
a single site for all of a development’s
properties regardless of the size of the
property or if the property is comprised
of scattered sites. The underlying basis
is that UPCS treats all deficiencies on
site as affecting all residents, guests, and
staff on that site. HUD appreciates the
commenter’s suggestion about weighting
deficiencies in proportion to the size of
the property and will give this
suggestion further consideration.
Issue: Subjectivity of inspectors. A
commenter stated that, due to potential
subjectivity of interpretation among
inspectors, HUD should re-evaluate the
impact of the new deficiency definitions
either through extensive field-testing or
an initial evaluation period to determine
if they are objective enough to ensure
inspections are conducted in a standard
manner.
HUD Response: The revised
definitions will be implemented as part
of the new DCD 4.0 software which uses
a ‘‘decision tree’’ structure that HUD
believes will reduce the possibility of
wide variations due to subjectivity.
Regarding testing, HUD has already
completed a number of field tests and
the QA inspectors are conducting in
house testing.
Issue: No points should be deducted
for cosmetic issues. A commenter stated
that PHAs should be scored on true
measures of livability rather than
cosmetic issues such as paint and tile,
and no points should be deducted for
cosmetic issues. Given tight budgets
with capital needs outstripping
resources, a PHA could be penalized for
choosing to spend their capital funds on
major systems, leaving insufficient
funding to address cosmetic issues.
Conversely, a PHA could receive a high
score by focusing on surface issues
while issues below the surface, such as
rot and mold, can have a severe impact.
This commenter stated that a review of
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the most frequently cited deficiencies
on HUD’s Web site shows that at least
a quarter are purely cosmetic, while
many others are ‘‘likely cosmetic in
nature.’’
HUD Response: Under UPCS, which
assesses the overall physical condition
of the entire property, the scoring
impact of each deficiency will vary
based on the item weight and criticality
and severity levels of the deficiency.
The protocol establishes the relative
importance of one deficiency to another.
What the commenter refers to as
cosmetic are lower impact deficiencies
and that is reflected in the points that
are deducted.
HUD posted the list of the most
frequently cited deficiencies for general
informational purposes because they
span the various criticality and severity
levels of the possible deficiencies in the
UPCS protocol. However, a multifamily
owner/PHA’s best portfolio management
tool is the actual inspection reports and
the deficiencies cited therein.
Issue: Specific deficiencies.
Commenters raised issues with a
number of the specific deficiency
definitions, and also reiterated their
comments on the 2004 proposed
changes to the deficiency definitions (69
FR 12474 et seq., March 16, 2004).
Where a comment refers to the 2004
proposed changes, the comment is
identified as such and a citation is
provided to the changes to which the
commenter refers.
Building Exterior
Issue: Building exterior, windows,
missing/deteriorated caulk, seals,
glazing compound. A commenter stated
that this deficiency (69 FR 12479)
should be advisory only, not scored
(2004).
HUD Response: The proposed change
is to the severity level of the deficiency.
What was the Level 2 deficiency for
building exterior, windows, missing/
deteriorated caulk, seals, glazing
compound window is now the Level 1
deficiency. The scoring of this
deficiency was not part of the public
comment solicitation. HUD has retained
the scoring of this deficiency due to the
potential deteriorating situation it
addresses. The definition as proposed
remains unchanged. There are two other
deficiency areas regarding windows that
are revised to conform to the proposed
definition for Building Exterior—
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing compound.
Both areas pertain to this deficiency,
one for common areas windows and the
other for dwelling unit windows.
Because these definitions are similar in
the current Dictionary, the deficiency
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definitions for missing/deteriorated
caulking/seals/glazing compound for
common area windows and dwelling
unit windows are revised in this final
notice to reflect the same revisions
contained in the proposed missing/
deteriorated caulking/seals/glazing
compound in the building exterior
deficiency definition.
Issue: Building exterior, peeling/needs
paint. A commenter stated that no
points should be deducted for cosmetic
paint issues, for this and similar
deficiencies.
HUD Response: The scoring of this
deficiency was not part of the public
comment solicitation and this final
notice makes no change to this item.
Building Systems
Issue: Building systems, exhaust
system, roof fans inoperable. A
commenter stated that this definition
should be clarified so that a deficiency
would be cited only when the
equipment that is part of the exhaust
system does not function as intended.
HUD Response: The definition
encompasses both the functional and
non functional features because a non
functional deficiency can, over time, if
not addressed, lead to a more serious
deficiency that can contribute to wear
and tear and affect the efficiency and
operation of the system. Citing all
deficiencies allows multifamily owners/
PHAs to take timely correction action.
The definition remains unchanged.
Issue: Building systems, HVAC. A
commenter stated that this definition
could be read to give physical condition
inspectors leeway to cite any associated
part of the HVAC system, regardless of
whether it applies to the functionality of
the HVAC, as a ‘‘building system’’
deficiency. This could result in a large
physical condition score point loss for
something that may be a minor
deficiency or repair. This commenter
stated that HUD should clarify that the
deficiency would only apply to parts of
the HVAC that impact its functionality.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees
because the associated parts that are
addressed in the definitions are specific
to deficiencies. All deficiencies
associated with the HVAC do not,
necessarily, cause the HVAC not to
function. For example, in the Boiler/
Pump/Cooling System Leaks (HVAC—
Building Systems) deficiency, coolant,
water or steam escaping from the unit
casing and/or pump packing/system
piping is clearly a deficiency and in fact
may be a Health and Safety deficiency
and yet the HVAC may continue to
function.
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Units
Issue: Units, HVAC Systems, General
Rust/Corrosion. A commenter stated
that it disagrees with the proposed
definition of this deficiency (69 FR
12500) as ‘‘deterioration is defined as
rust and/or formations of metal oxides,
flaking or discoloration, or a pit or
crevice.’’ This proposed change does not
address how the HVAC system is
functioning; it only addresses the
presence of rust and corrosion. If the
equipment is working properly, there
should be no deficiency. This criterion
is too subjective and gives the inspector
too much latitude (2004). This
commenter also stated that the
definition of ‘‘rust or corrosion’’
including ‘‘pit or crevice’’ does not give
any parameters for the size of the pit or
crevice or extent of rust or corrosion
required, and so gives too much latitude
to the inspector (2004).
Another commenter stated that no
points should be deducted when rust
does not indicate a structural problem
and does not impact the functionality.
Consideration should be given to where
the rust is located on the HVAC system.
Another commenter stated that only
‘‘significant’’ deterioration should be
covered; minor instances that have no
effect on the functioning of the system
should not be scored. This commenter
stated that this should be a no-score
item according to discussions held in
2002. (2004)
Another commenter stated that the
defined deteriorations—rust and/or
formations of metal oxides, flaking, or
discoloration, or a pit or crevice—may
simply be cosmetic blemishes and not
indicative of the functionality of and/or
the need to repair the unit. This
commenter stated that HUD should
specify that cosmetic blemishes which
do not affect the operation of the unit
may not be cited as deficiencies.
HUD Response: Because there is no
way to tell if the presence of rust and/
or corrosion is affecting the
functionality of a system, it is
considered a deficiency but it is only
recorded as a
Level 1 deficiency. The presence of
rust and/or corrosion makes the
multifamily owner/PHA aware of the
potentially deteriorating situation. Rust
is corrosive and if left untreated can
comprise the integrity of the building
envelop. The functionality of the HVAC
system is addressed elsewhere in the
Dictionary.
The objective measure for rust and/or
corrosion is that they are easily
observable. The definition for this
deficiency has remained as proposed.
The scoring of this deficiency was not
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part of the public comment solicitation.
This final notice retains the scoring of
this deficiency due to the potential
deteriorating situation it addresses.
Issue: Units, kitchen, Range Hood/
Exhaust Fans, Excessive Grease/
Inoperable (applies to both common
areas and units). A commenter stated
that the proposed definition, which
includes ‘‘grease or other barrier
noticeably reduces,’’ is too subjective
(2004). This deficiency would permit an
inspector to score a resident’s
housekeeping skills, over which a PHA
has no control, as a physical deficiency,
thereby lowering the score. Further,
reference to health and safety is
excessive and would penalize the PHA
for the resident’s housekeeping skills.
HUD Response: HUD agrees that this
definition should not refer to a health
and safety hazard and this notice
removes the reference. The multifamily
owner/PHA is ultimately responsible for
the physical condition of a unit, and
should enforce the appropriate
provisions of the lease if a resident does
not maintain the equipment (that is
leased with the unit) in acceptable
condition.
Issue: Units, call-for-aid inoperable. A
commenter stated that resident
interference with the equipment should
be taken into account when finding a
deficiency.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree
that interference with the call-for-aid
equipment should be taken into account
by the inspector. The call-for-aid as
installed must serve its intended
function (e.g., a bell sounds an alarm, a
light is turned on, or off-site personnel
notified when the system is activated).
The multifamily owner/PHA
responsibility for the physical condition
of a unit and lease enforcement includes
a resident’s interference with the callfor-aid. The citation of the deficiency
alerts the multifamily owner/PHA to the
existence of the problem with this
critical system.
Issue: A commenter stated that this
definition (call-for-aid inoperable)
should only require that the system
function as intended. This commenter
stated that deficiencies have been found
because the cord was tied up and did
not reach the floor, and this it is
inappropriate for HUD to penalize the
property for the resident’s decision to
tie up the cord, as long as the item is
working.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree
that this definition should only require
that the system function as intended. A
coiled or tied call-for-aid cord is not
automatically a deficiency—the system
components must also be tested. But
because the pull cord is an integral
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component of the call-for-aid system it
must be tested in a way that reflects
how someone laying on the floor in
distress might pull the cord. If the
coiled or tied cord causes the system to
fail when the cord is pulled, a
deficiency is cited. But, if the
components of the system function
when the cord is pulled, the call-for-aid
system functions as intended and there
is no deficiency.
Site
Issue: Site, Fencing and Gates—
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/
Falling/Leaning. A commenter disagrees
with the proposed Level 2 Comments in
this section that adds reference to health
and safety hazards to this deficiency
(2004). This proposal does not provide
adequate parameters as to what ‘‘poses
a danger’’, thereby leaving the
designation of a health and safety
hazard too subjective. This commenter
stated that the reference to health and
safety hazards should be eliminated.
HUD Response: HUD has determined
to retain the phrase ‘‘poses a danger’’
even though it may be considered
subjective. It is impractical to include in
the definition everything that could
pose a threat. The reference to health
and safety will be retained because an
injury or bodily harm is a health and
safety issue. HUD will enhance its
inspector training protocol to emphasize
the following definition of security
fencing: ‘‘Fencing that provides a closed
boundary by connections at all points,
including gates.’’ This will ensure the
inspector clearly understand the
difference between perimeter/border
fencing and security fencing. In
reviewing the proposed definition, HUD
observed that the reference in the notes
should be consistent and therefore this
notice revises the reference to ‘‘Pools
and Related Structures (Common
Areas).’’ HUD has also determined that
the final definition will be for ‘‘nonsecurity/non-safety fences and
‘‘security/safety fences.’’
Issue: Site, Fencing and Gates. A
commenter stated that this deficiency
should cover only ‘‘significant’’ rust or
deterioration, and only those instances
of deterioration that actually impact the
functionality of the fixture should be
scored.
HUD Response: The three levels of
this deficiency address what is
necessary for a deficiency to be present
and are proportional. The presence of
rust and/or corrosion makes the
multifamily owner/PHA aware of a
potentially deteriorating situation.
There is no way to tell if the presence
of rust and/or corrosion does or will
affect the functionality of this
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inspectable item, but there are three
levels of deficiency in this definition. If
addressed at the earliest stages, timely
corrective action could prevent a more
serious problem from developing over
time.
Issue: A commenter stated that no
points should be deducted for damage
to fences that do not affect the safety
and security of the property.
HUD Response: The scoring of this
deficiency was not part of the public
comment solicitation. No change is
made in this final notice.
Issue: A commenter stated that
reference to swimming pool enclosures
is inconsistent between this item and
one on the following page, referring to
69 FR 12505 and 12506 (March 16,
2004), and asked: ‘‘Is it Site, Fencing,
and Gates, or is it Common Areas, Pools,
and Related Structures’’ (2004)?
HUD Response: HUD agrees that the
references in the notes should be
consistent and this final notice changes
the reference to ‘‘Pools and Related
Structures (Common Areas).’’ HUD also
revises this notice so that the final
definitions are for ‘‘non-security/nonsafety fences’’ and ‘‘security/safety
fences.’’
Issue: Site, grounds, ponding and site
drainage. A commenter stated that the
level 2 and 3 descriptions (69 FR 12508)
‘‘would be improved by adding ‘at least
100 square feet’’’ (2004).
HUD Response: HUD agrees and the
Level 2 and 3 definitions are revised to
state ‘‘at least 100 square feet’’ and
‘‘over 100 square feet’’ respectively.
Also the language throughout the
Dictionary is conformed to read ‘‘more
than’’ where appropriate.
Issue: Site, parking lots/driveways/
roads, damaged paving. A commenter
stated that the deficiency description
(69 FR 12509) should read ‘‘also,
repaired/sealed cracks should NOT be
considered a deficiency.’’ (2004)
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the
commenter and this final notice adds
the note, ‘‘Repaired/sealed cracks
should not be considered a deficiency.’’
HUD will enhance its inspector training
protocol to include the recognition of
repaired/sealed cracks and damage with
picture examples.
Issue: Site, walkways, steps, cracks,
settlement, heaving. A commenter
stated that the notes for deficiency (69
FR 12516) should state that ‘‘repaired/
sealed cracks should NOT be considered
a deficiency.’’ (2004)
HUD Response: HUD agrees and this
final notice adds this sentence as item
4 under the note.
Issue: Site, retaining wall, damaged,
falling leaning. Commenter stated that
this deficiency (69 FR 12515) refers to
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a deteriorating or damaged retaining
wall as defined, ‘‘but we do not see a
definition of a damaged retaining wall.’’
(2004) What is the threshold for damage
to a retaining wall? HUD has been
taking these issues case-by-case under
technical review, or relying on the
inspector’s judgment, but this issue
requires further study.
HUD Response: It is not practical to
include every possible type of damage
to a retaining wall that may occur.
Therefore, HUD does review this
deficiency on a case-by-case basis
through the technical review process to
ensure that multifamily owners/PHAs
are not unduly penalized. HUD also
considers this an important training
issue and emphasizes it by using a
multitude of examples, and using color
pictures whenever possible, as part of
the training. This final notice removes
the phrase ‘‘as defined’’ from the
definitions.
Common Areas
Issue: Common areas, ceiling—holes/
missing tiles, etc. A commenter stated
that in the 2004 notice (69 FR 12485)),
the Level 1 definition was proposed to
be revised to include a crack more than
1⁄8 inch wide and 11 inches long. This
commenter stated that the Level 1
definition should remain as before the
2004 proposed revision, and the
material that was added to Level 1
should be placed in the Level 2
definition.
HUD Response: HUD believes that
including cracks in the Level 1
definition is less stringent than
including cracks in the Level 2
definition, and has retained the
proposed definition.
Issue: Common areas, ceiling, mold. A
commenter stated that no points should
be deducted for superficial stains that
do not pose an imminent threat to
health and safety. Another commenter
in 2004 stated that in discussions held
in 2002 on this deficiency (69 FR
12486), ‘‘we arrived’’ at a size area for
mold of 1–4 square feet. This has been
reduced to 4 square inches—1 square
foot in the Level 1 definition, and in the
Level 3 definition, to 1 square foot. This
definition should be returned to the
‘‘agreed measures.’’
HUD Response: It is impractical to
include in the definition how to identity
all possible conditions that may have
lead to a stain, but the presence of
mold/mildew would clearly indicate it
is more than superficial. Thus, this final
notice revises the wording of this
definition to clarify that the primary
focus is the presence of mold/mildew,
as well as evidence of water infiltration
or other moisture producing conditions.
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The definition reads, ‘‘You see mold or
mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure, or evidence
of water infiltration or other moisture
producing conditions.’’ This notice
revises the title of this definition to
conform to the revised definition to
read, ‘‘Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/
Water Damage (Ceiling—Common
Areas).’’
HUD believes the use of ‘‘4 square
inches to one square foot’’ and ‘‘more
than 1 square foot’’ included in the
proposed definition, rather than the
suggested ‘‘1–4 square feet’’ and ‘‘4
square feet,’’ is more realistic given the
potential seriousness of the presence of
mold/mildew. One square foot (144
square inches) is an area that is 36 times
larger than the proposed 4 square
inches, and 4 square feet is 4 times
larger than 1 square foot. Because of the
importance of the presence of mold/
mildew, HUD has determined to use the
smaller areas as the minimum.
Even a small amount of mold/mildew
can be potentially dangerous, especially
if it is allowed to increase in size. The
presence of mold/mildew should be
identified, and the cause should be
determined and corrected. The
definition for this deficiency has
remained as proposed.
There are two other deficiency
definitions regarding mold/mildew in
common areas that this notice revises to
conform to the proposed definition for
‘‘Ceiling—Water Stains/Water Damage/
Mold/Mildew (Common Areas).’’ One
pertains to mold/mildew on walls in
common areas, and the other is mold/
mildew on floors in common areas.
Because of the similarities in the
definitions for mold/mildew, this notice
makes a holistic change to mold/mildew
in all locations where it can be recorded
(not just the definition for ceiling),
though differences in the actual
definitions may be warranted.
Therefore, the deficiency definitions for
common areas walls and floors have
been revised to reflect similar revisions
as those contained in the proposed
‘‘Ceiling—Water Stains/Water Damage/
Mold/Mildew (Common Areas)’’
deficiency definition. In addition, there
are three deficiency definitions
regarding mold/mildew in dwelling
units that have been revised to conform
to the proposed definition for ‘‘Ceiling—
Water Stains/Water Damage/Mold/
Mildew (Common Areas).’’ They are
dwelling unit ceiling, walls, and floors.
The current deficiency definitions for
the dwelling unit ceiling, walls and
floors are similar to the current
deficiency definition for ‘‘Ceiling—
Water Stains/Water Damage/Mold/
Mildew (Common Areas).’’ Therefore,
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the deficiency definitions for dwelling
unit ceiling, walls and floors have been
revised to reflect similar revisions as
those contained in the proposed ceiling
common areas deficiency definition,
though differences in the actual
definitions may be warranted.
Issue: Common areas, routes
obstructed or inaccessible to wheelchair.
A commenter stated that if the common
area and route existed prior to these
requirements, no points should be
deducted.
HUD Response: The definition does
not impose new requirements. The
change simply adds the words ‘‘at least
one route’’ to the current definition
clarifies that the inspector need only
verify one route, not all of them. The
definition remains as proposed in the
October 13, 2011 notice.
Issue: Common areas, hard floor
covering, missing flooring/tiles. A
commenter stated that the thresholds for
this definition (69 FR 12487) should be
returned to those agreed to at the 2002
meetings, that is, level one is 10–20
percent, and level 2 is 20–50 percent
(2004).
HUD Response: HUD has determined
to retain the threshold language in the
proposed definition and use a consistent
application of percentages for all square
foot items, when appropriate. For
example, the same percentages are used
for the soft floor covering deficiency
definition. HUD notes that the comment
for Level 3 is redundant and this final
notice deletes the comment.
There is one additional deficiency
definition regarding hard floor covering
in dwelling units that is revised in this
final notice to conform to the proposed
definition for hard floor covering in
common areas. The deficiency
definition for hard floor covering in
dwelling units is revised in this final
notice to reflect the same revisions
contained in the proposed hard floor
covering in common areas deficiency
definition.
Issue: Common areas, soft floor
covering damaged, floors. A commenter
stated that the title of the definition
should be changed to include ‘‘carpet,’’
since that is all that is covered, and the
deficiency should read: ‘‘you see
damaged or missing carpet.’’ This
deficiency should not be considered a
health and safety issue (2004).
HUD Response: The commenter is
incorrect that carpet is the only soft
floor covering (e.g., interlocking foam
tiles). HUD has determined to retain the
deficiency title to read ‘‘Soft Floor
Covering Missing/Damaged (Floors—
Common Areas)’’ and the deficiency to
read ‘‘You see damaged and/or missing
soft floor covering.’’ The changes to the
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two floor covering deficiency definition
titles move from a paradigm that solely
describes the type of deficiency in the
title (missing or damaged flooring) to
one that includes the type of floor
covering generally (soft or hard) in the
title and describes the levels of
deficiencies for that type of flooring.
The general description of the type of
floor covering in the title ensures that
the definition is applicable to all types
of soft and hard floor coverings
respectively.
The titles to the two floor covering
deficiency definition now include the
type of floor covering generally (soft or
hard) in addition to the describing the
type of deficiency in the title (missing
or damaged flooring) without giving an
example of the type to ensure the
definition is covers all types of soft and
hard floor coverings respectively.
Soft floor covering that is missing, has
holes, tears or loose areas could be a
tripping hazard, and therefore, is a
health and safety issue.
There is one additional deficiency
definition regarding soft floor covering
in dwelling units that this notice revises
to conform to the proposed definition
for soft floor covering in common areas.
The deficiency definition for soft floor
covering in dwelling units has been
revised to reflect the same revisions
contained in the proposed soft floor
covering in the common areas
deficiency definition.
Issue: Common areas, floors, rot/
deteriorated subfloor. A commenter
stated that the comment on level 3
should be consistent with other similar
notes instructing the inspector to notify
the PHA of possible failure of the item
and recommend an engineering
inspection (2004).
HUD Response: HUD agrees, and this
notice revises the language in the Level
3 comment to the suggested language.
This change is consistent with language
in other deficiency definitions.
Issue: Another commenter stated that
it is extremely concerned that HUD’s
note to ‘‘apply weight’’ to a suspect floor
could result in injury to the inspector or
additional damage to the property. This
commenter stated that HUD should
remove the ‘‘apply weight’’ note from
this definition.
HUD Response: By applying a
moderate amount of weight to the floor,
a noticeable deflection will be felt if
there is rot, decay, deterioration, and/or
damage. This is the most common way
to determine if there is a problem and
it is used throughout the inspection
industry. HUD will enhance its
inspector training protocol to ensure
that this definition is adequately
explained and examples provided.
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Issue: Common areas, HVAC Noisy,
Vibrating, Leaking. A commenter stated
that this definition includes examples of
‘‘unusual vibrations, leaks, or abnormal
noise’’ such as ‘‘screeching, squealing,
banging, shaking, etc.’’ This commenter
stated that these examples add more
subjectivity than clarification to the
definition. As a result, properties may
receive a citation for a non-existent
deficiency. This commenter stated that
the current definition should be
retained.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees. HUD
has included these illustrative examples
to provide information to assist the
inspector in identifying the types of
noises that may emanate from an HVAC
unit. This definition only applies if
there is a noise, otherwise it is marked
no observed deficiency and will not
result in a point deduction. The
definition for this deficiency remained
as proposed.
Issue: Common areas, walls,
damaged. A commenter stated that the
note under this deficiency description
should state that repaired or sealed
cracks should not be recorded as a
deficiency (2004). Another commenter
stated that no points should be
deducted for cracks that are not a
structural deficiency
HUD Response: This deficiency does
not address any threat to the integrity of
the structure. Cracks that have been
repaired or sealed properly are no
longer a deficiency, and will not be
cited as a deficiency. This final notice
adds a note to this definition: ‘‘Cracks
that have been repaired or sealed
properly should not be considered a
deficiency.’’ The definition for this
deficiency has remained as proposed.
This final notice revises one additional
deficiency definition regarding damaged
walls in dwelling units to conform to
the proposed definition for damaged
walls in common areas. The deficiency
definition for damaged walls in
dwelling units is revised to reflect the
same revisions contained in the
proposed damaged walls in common
areas deficiency definition.
Issue: Common areas, graffiti. A
commenter stated that the deficiency
description should note that ‘‘one
location’’ means ‘‘adjacent walls, doors,
ceiling, and/or floors’’ (2004).
HUD Response: HUD believes the
proposed deficiency definition is more
descriptive of the intent of the use of the
word ‘‘location’’ defined in the
definition as, ‘‘* * * one general area in
a building such as one hallway in a 10
story building or one floor of a stair-well
in a 5 story building.’’ The definition for
this deficiency has remained as
proposed.
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Health and Safety
Issue: Health and safety, air quality,
mold and mildew. Commenters stated
that this item is a housekeeping issue
and not a maintenance issue, and that
mold on a wall and adjacent ceiling
should be considered 1 item, where it is
currently considered 2 items.
A commenter also stated that in
discussions held in 2002, it was agreed
that mold would have to cover 1–4
square feet for a point deduction, which
has been reduced to 4 inches–1 foot,
and that this should be returned to the
agreed measure (2004); another
commenter stated that the minimum
should be 1 square foot before a defect
is found.
Another commenter stated that the
definition is too broad and could
include situations where the residents
cause moisture damage by disabling the
room fan, lifestyle, or other causes
outside the PHA’s control.
HUD Response: It is almost
impossible to determine if the presence
of mold/mildew is caused by resident
lifestyle and failure to ventilate
properly. The multifamily owner/PHA
is ultimately responsible for the
physical condition of a unit, and should
enforce the appropriate provisions of
the lease if a resident does not maintain
the equipment (that is leased with the
unit) in acceptable condition.
Walls and ceiling are separate
inspectable items with similar and
different applicable deficiencies. As
such in accordance with the UPCS
inspection protocol, inspectors will
record the observed deficiency, as
applicable, for each inspection item.
Even a small amount of mold/mildew
can be potentially dangerous, especially
if it is allowed to increase in size. The
presence of mold/mildew should be
identified, and the cause should be
determined and corrected. Because
mold/mildew has been recognized as a
serious health and safety issue, it is also
recorded as poor air quality.
As stated in HUD’s response to
comment on ceiling mold in common
areas, HUD has determined the
measurements as proposed are more
realistic given the potential seriousness
of mold/mildew. As such, the definition
for this deficiency is made final as
proposed.
In determining if other moisture
producing conditions are present, the
inspector will use common sense. It is
impractical to address how to identity
all possible other moisture producing
conditions, but the presence of mold/
mildew would clearly indicate that
something other than water, if there is
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no evidence of water infiltration, is
causing the growth of mold/mildew.
Issue: Health and safety, air quality,
sewer odor detected. A commenter
stated that it prefers the prior definition
that required the inspector to make a
judgment whether the odor presented a
health risk. Another commenter stated
that the proposed definition does not
differentiate between an issue being
completely ignored and one that has just
occurred. A time frame for addressing
the problem is also absent. Also, a
commenter stated that this definition is
too vague. A property owner often has
no control over situations when sewer
odors are detected—i.e., flooding, pipes
bursting, etc.—especially when these
incidents are not on the property. This
commenter stated that HUD should
clarify what a ‘‘health risk’’ from sewer
odors entails rather than have a blanket
deficiency on any odors detected.
HUD Response: HUD has determined
that the inspector should cite any strong
odor that can be detected during the
physical inspection, hence the proposed
definition removed the reference to
health risk. As with other definitions,
there is no distinction between what
may be being ignored or what has just
occurred because the odor itself is what
necessitates action by the multifamily
owner/PHA. The multifamily owner/
PHA cannot know that the odor
detected by the inspector and cited in
the inspection is not a sewer odor
unless it is investigated. If after
investigation the multifamily owner/
PHA determines that the odor does not
emanate from the property, the
multifamily owner/PHA can, in
accordance with the applicable
regulations, submit a request for a
technical review or database adjustment
to HUD. But as with all other
deficiencies, if the cause of the odor is
due to a condition on the property, the
multifamily owner/PHA must take
action to remedy the condition. The
definition for this deficiency has
remained as proposed.
Neither the physical inspection
scoring notice nor the Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions addresses time
frames for correcting, remedying or
mitigating deficiencies. Multifamily
owners/PHAs should refer to their
applicable program regulations and
other guidance.
Issue: Health and safety, flammable
materials, improperly stored. A
commenter stated that ‘‘not all paint is
flammable (i.e., latex paint) and
therefore should be excluded from the
definition. Another commenter stated
that a threshold should be included in
this definition. For example, paper
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stored near a gas furnace is an issue, but
paper stored elsewhere is not.
HUD Response: The UPCS inspection
protocol is based on the inspector’s
observations. It is neither practical nor
prudent for the inspector to determine
the content of containers, such as those
listed in the proposed definition.
HUD believes examples are not
necessary as this is covered in the
proposed definition by stating ‘‘near a
heat or electric source….’’ This is an
area that is extensively covered in the
inspector training. Just one instance of
flammable materials igniting due to
improper storage is one instance too
many. The presence of improperly
stored flammable material should be
identified and mitigated. The scoring of
this deficiency was not part of the
public comment solicitation. The
definition for this deficiency is made
final as proposed.
area. The number of inspectable items
varies for each inspectable area, from 8
to 17. Weights are assigned to each item
to reflect their relative importance and
are shown in the Item Weights and
Criticality Levels tables. The tables refer
to the weight of each item as the
nominal item weight, which is also
known as the amenity weight.
Normalized area weight represents
weights used with area scores to
calculate project-level scores. The
weights are adjusted to reflect the
inspectable items actually present at the
time of the inspection. These weights
are proportional, as follows:
• For dwelling units, the area score is
the weighted average of sub-area scores
for each unit, weighted by the total of
item weights present for inspection in
each unit, which is referred to as the
amenity weight.
• For common areas, the area score is
the weighted average of sub-area
IV. The Revised Physical Inspection
common area scores weighted by the
Scoring Process
total weights for items available for
inspection (or amenity weight) in each
1. Definitions
residential building common area or
The following are the definitions of
common building. Common buildings
the terms used in the physical condition
refer to any inspectable building that
scoring process:
contains no dwelling units. All common
Criticality means one of five levels
buildings are inspected.
that reflect the relative importance of
• For building exteriors or building
the deficiencies for an inspectable item.
systems, the area scores are weighted
Appendix 1 lists all deficiencies with
averages of sub-area scores.
their designated criticality levels, which
• For sites, the area score is
vary from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most
calculated as follows: (1) The amenity
critical. Based on the criticality level,
weights found on a site, (2) minus
each deficiency has an assigned value
deductions for deficiencies, and (3)
that is used in scoring. Those values are normalized to a 100-point scale.
as follows:
Normalized sub-area weight means
the weight used with sub-area scores to
Criticality
Level
Value
compute an inspectable area score.
Critical ...............................
5
5.00 These weights are proportional:
• For dwelling units, the item weight
Very Important ..................
4
3.00
Important ...........................
3
2.25 of amenities available in the unit at the
Contributes .......................
2
1.25 time of inspection is the amenity
Slight Contribution ............
1
0.50 weight.
• For common areas, the common
Based on the importance of the
area amenity weight is divided by a
deficiency as reflected by its criticality
building’s probability of being selected
value, points are deducted from the
for inspection. All residential buildings
project score. For example, a clogged
with common areas may not be selected
drain in the kitchen is more critical than for inspection; however, all buildings
a damaged surface on a countertop.
with common areas are used to
Therefore, more points will be deducted determine the amenity weight.
for a clogged drain than for a damaged
• For building exterior and building
surface.
systems, the building exterior or
Deficiencies refer to specific problems building system amenity weight is
that are recorded for inspectable items,
multiplied by the building’s size
such as a hole in a wall or a damaged
(number of units) and then divided by
refrigerator in the kitchen.
its probability of being selected for
Inspectable area means any of the five inspection.
major components of the project: site,
• For the site, there is no sub-area
building exteriors, building systems,
score. For each project, there is a single
common areas, and dwelling units.
site.
Inspectable items refer to walls,
Note that dividing by a building’s
kitchens, bathrooms, and other features
probability of being selected for
that are inspected in an inspectable
inspection is the same as multiplying by
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the probability weight since the
probability weight is 1 divided by the
probability of being selected for
inspection.
Point loss cap is the maximum
number of points that a single
deficiency can count against the overall
property score. The point loss cap for
each inspectable area is:
Inspectable area
Maximum point
deduction for a
single deficiency
Site ......................................
Building Exterior .................
Building Systems ................
Common Areas ...................
Dwelling Units .....................
7.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
severity, as described below. For
specific definitions of each severity
level, see the Dictionary of Deficiency
Definitions.
Score means a number between 0 and
100 that reflects the physical condition
of a project, inspectable area, or subSeverity level
Value
area. A property score includes both an
3 ................................................
1.00 alphabetical and a numerical
2 ................................................
0.50 component. The number represents an
1 ................................................
0.25
overall score for the basic physical
condition of a property, including
The Item Weights and Criticality
points deducted for health and safety
Levels tables show the severity levels
deficiencies other than those associated
that are possible for each deficiency.
Based on the severity of each deficiency, with smoke detectors. The letter code
specifically indicates whether health
the score is reduced. Points deducted
and safety deficiencies were detected, as
are calculated by multiplying the item
shown in the chart below:
weight by the values for criticality and
Project is used synonymously with
the term ‘‘property.’’
Severity means one of three levels that
reflect the extent of damage associated
with each deficiency, with values
assigned as follows:
Health and safety deficiencies
No health
and safety
deficiencies
Physical inspection score alphanumeric codes
a ...............................................................................................................
a * .............................................................................................................
b ...............................................................................................................
b * .............................................................................................................
c ...............................................................................................................
c * .............................................................................................................
To record a health or safety problem,
a letter is added to the project score (a,
b, or c) and to note that one or more
smoke detectors is inoperable or missing
an asterisk (*) is added to the project
score. The project score for properties
with LT deficiencies will have a ‘‘c’’
whether or not there also are NLT
deficiencies.
Sub-area means an area that will be
inspected for all inspectable areas
except the site. For example, the
building exterior for building ‘‘2’’ is a
sub-area of the building exterior area.
Likewise, unit ‘‘5’’ would be a sub-area
of the dwelling units area. Each
inspectable area for each building in a
property is treated as a sub-area.
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2. Scoring Protocol
To generate accurate scores, the
inspection protocol includes a
determination of the appropriate
relative weights of the various
components of the inspection; that is,
which components are the most
important, the next most important, and
so on. For example, in the building
exterior area, a blocked or damaged fire
escape is more important than a cracked
window, which is more important than
a broken light fixture. The Item Weights
and Criticality Levels tables provide the
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X
X
....................
....................
....................
....................
Non-life
threatening
(NLT)
Life
threatening
(LT)/exigent
health and
safety
(EHS)
No smoke
detector
problems
Smoke
detector
problems
....................
....................
X
X
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
....................
X
X
X
....................
X
....................
X
....................
....................
X
....................
X
....................
X
nominal weight of observable
deficiencies by inspectable item for each
area/sub-area. The Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions provides a
definition for the severity of each
deficiency in each area/sub-area.
3. Equity Principles
In addition to determining the
appropriate relative weights,
consideration is also given to several
issues concerning equity between
properties so that scores fairly assess all
types of properties:
Proportionality. The scoring
methodology includes an important
control that does not allow any sub-area
scores to be negative. If a sub-area, such
as the building exterior for a given
building, has so many deficiencies that
the sub-area score would be negative,
the score is set to zero. This control
mechanism ensures that no single
building or dwelling unit can affect the
overall score more than its
proportionate share of the whole.
Configuration of project. The scoring
methodology takes into account
different numbers of units in buildings.
To fairly score projects with different
numbers of units in buildings, the area
scores are calculated for building
exteriors and systems by using weighted
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Fire safety
averages of the sub-area scores, where
the weights are based on the number of
units in each building and on the
building’s probability of being selected
for inspection. In addition, the
calculation for common areas includes
the amenities existing in the residential
common areas and common buildings at
the time of inspection.
Differences between projects. The
scoring methodology also takes into
account that projects have different
features and amenities. To ensure that
the overall score reflects only items that
are present to be inspected, weights to
calculate area and project scores are
adjusted depending on how many items
are actually there to be inspected.
Point loss cap. The scoring
methodology further takes into account
that a single deficiency can have
disproportionate effects on scoring
when there are relatively few buildings
or units that are inspected in a project.
To mitigate any disproportionate
impact, the number of points deducted
from the project score for any one
deficiency is capped. Point loss caps are
set at the inspectable area level.
4. Deficiency Definitions
During a physical inspection of a
project, the inspector looks for
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deficiencies for each inspectable item
within the inspectable areas, such as the
walls (the inspectable item) of a
dwelling unit (the inspectable area).
Based on the observed condition, the
Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions
defines up to the three levels of severity
for each deficiency: Level 1 (minor),
Level 2 (major), and Level 3 (severe).
The associated values are shown in the
definition of ‘‘severity’’ in Section V.1.
A specific criticality level, with
associated values as shown in that chart,
is also assigned to each deficiency. The
criticality level reflects the importance
of the deficiency relative to all other
possible observable deficiencies for the
inspectable area.
5. Health and Safety Deficiencies
The UPCS physical inspection
emphasizes health and safety (H&S)
deficiencies because of their crucial
impact on the well-being of residents. A
subset of H&S deficiencies is exigent
health and safety (EHS) deficiencies.
These are life threatening (LT) and
require immediate action or remedy.
EHS deficiencies can substantially
reduce the overall project score. As
noted in the definition for the word
‘‘score’’ in the Definitions section, all
H&S deficiencies are highlighted by the
addition of a letter to the numeric score.
The Item Weights and Criticality Levels
tables list all H&S deficiencies with an
LT designation for those that are EHS
deficiencies and an NLT designation for
those that are non-life threatening. The
LT and NLT designations apply only to
severity level 3 deficiencies.
To ensure prompt correction, remedy,
or action to abate H&S deficiencies, the
inspector gives the project
representative a deficiency report
identifying every observed EHS
deficiency before the inspector leaves
the site. The project representative
acknowledges receipt of the deficiency
report by signature. HUD makes
available to all PHAs an inspection
report that includes information about
all of the H&S deficiencies recorded by
the inspector. The report shows:
• The number of H&S deficiencies
(EHS and NLT) that the inspector
observed;
• All observed smoke detector
deficiencies; and
• A projection of the total number of
H&S problems that the inspector
potentially would see in an inspection
of all buildings and all units.
If there are smoke detector
deficiencies, the physical conditions
score will include an asterisk. However,
problems with smoke detectors do not
currently affect the overall score. When
there is an asterisk indicating that the
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project has at least one smoke detector
deficiency, that part of the score may be
identified as ‘‘risk;’’ for example, ‘‘93a,
risk’’ for 93a*, and ‘‘71c, risk’’ for 71c*.
There are six distinct letter grade
combinations based on the H&S
deficiencies and smoke detector
deficiencies observed: a, a*, b, b*, c, and
c*. For example:
• A score of 90c* means that the
project contains at least one EHS
deficiency to be corrected, including at
least one smoke detector deficiency, but
is otherwise in excellent condition.
• A score of 40b* means the project
is in poor condition, has at least one
non-life threatening deficiency, and has
at least one missing or inoperable smoke
detector.
• A score of 55a means that the
project is in poor condition, even
though there are no H&S deficiencies.
• A project in excellent physical
condition with no H&S deficiencies
would have a score of 90a to 100a.
6. Scoring Process Elements
The physical condition scoring
process is based on three elements
within each project: (1) Five inspectable
areas (site, exterior, systems, common
areas, and dwelling units); (2)
inspectable items in each inspectable
area; and (3) observed deficiencies.
7. Scoring Using Weighted Averages
The score for a property is the
weighted average of the five inspectable
area scores, where area weights are
adjusted to account for all of the
inspectable items that are actually
present to be inspected. In turn, area
scores are calculated by using weighted
averages of sub-area scores (e.g.,
building area scores for a single building
or unit scores for a single unit) for all
sub-areas within an area.
For all areas except the site,
normalized sub-area weights are
determined using the size of sub-areas,
the items available for inspection, and
the sub-area’s probability of selection
for inspection. Sub-area scores are
determined by deducting points for
deficiencies, including H&S
deficiencies, based on the importance
(weight) of the item, the criticality of the
deficiency, and the severity of the
deficiency. The maximum deduction for
a single deficiency cannot exceed the
point cap for the inspectable area where
the deficiency is observed and a subarea score cannot be less than zero.
Also, points will be deducted only for
one deficiency of the same kind within
a sub-area. For example, if multiple
deficiencies for broken windows are
recorded, only the most severe
deficiency observed (or one of the most
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severe, if there are multiple deficiencies
with the same level of severity) will
result in a point deduction.
8. Essential Weights and Levels
The process of scoring a project’s
physical condition depends on the
weights, levels, and associated values of
the following quantities:
• Weights for the 5 inspectable areas
(site, building exteriors, building
systems, common areas, and dwelling
units).
• Weights for inspectable items
within inspectable areas (8 to 17 per
area).
• Criticality levels (critical, very
important, important, contributes, and
slight contribution) plus their associated
values for deficiencies within areas
inspected.
• Severity levels (3, 2, and 1) and
their associated values for deficiencies.
• Health and safety deductions
(exigent/fire safety and non-life
threatening for all inspectable areas).
• Point loss cap, defined at the
inspectable area level.
9. Normalized Area Weights
Area weights are used to obtain a
weighted average of area scores. A
project’s overall physical condition
score is a weighted average of all
inspectable area scores. The nominal
weights are:
Inspectable area
Site ............................................
Building Exterior .......................
Building Systems ......................
Common Areas .........................
Dwelling Units ...........................
Weight
(percent)
15
15
20
15
35
These weights are assigned for all
inspections when all inspectable items
are present for each area and for each
building and unit. All of the inspectable
items may not be present in every
inspectable area. When items are
missing in an area, the area weights are
modified to reflect the missing items so
that within that area they will add up
to 100 percent. Area weights are
recalculated when some inspectable
items are missing in one or more area(s).
Although rare, it is possible that an
inspectable area could have no
inspectable items available; for example,
there could be no common areas in the
inspected residential buildings and no
common buildings. In this case, the
weight of the ‘‘common areas’’ would be
zero percent and its original 15 percent
weight would be equitably redistributed
to the other inspectable areas. The 15
percent is redistributed by totaling the
weights of other inspectable areas (15 +
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15 + 20 + 35 = 85) and dividing the
weights of each by that amount (0.85,
which is 85% expressed as a decimal).
The modified weights are 17.6 percent,
17.6 percent and 23.5 percent, zero
percent, and 41.2 percent for site,
building exterior, building systems,
common areas, and units, respectively,
and they add up to 100 percent.
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10. Area and Sub-Area Scores
For inspectable areas with sub-areas
(all areas except sites), the inspectable
area score is a weighted average of the
sub-area scores within that area. The
scoring protocol determines the amenity
weight for the site and each sub-area as
noted in Section VI.1 under the
definition for normalized sub-area
weight. For example, a property with no
fencing or gates in the inspectable area
of the site would have an amenity
weight of 90 percent or 0.9 (100 percent
minus 10 percent for lack of fencing and
gates), and a single dwelling unit with
all items available for inspection, except
a call-for-aid would have an amenity
weight of 0.98 or 98 percent (100
percent minus 2 percent for lack of callfor-aid). A call-for-aid is a system
designed to provide elderly residents
the opportunity to call for help in the
event of an emergency.
The amenity weight excludes all
health and safety items. Each deficiency
as weighted and normalized are
subtracted from the sub-area or siteweighted amenity score. Sub-area and
site area scores are further reduced for
any observed health and safety
deficiencies. These deductions are taken
at the site, building, or unit level. At
this point, a control is applied to
prevent a negative site, building, or unit
score. The control ensures that no single
building or unit can affect an area score
more than its weighted share.
11. Overall Project Score
The overall project score is the
weighted average of the five inspectable
area scores, with the five areas weighted
by their normalized weights.
Normalized area weights reflect both the
initial weights and the relative weights
between areas of inspectable items
actually present. For reporting purposes,
the number of possible points is the
normalized area weight adjusted by
multiplying by 100 so that the possible
points for the five areas add up to 100.
In the Physical Inspection Report for
each project that is sent to the PHA, the
following items are listed:
• Normalized weights as the
‘‘possible points’’ by area;
• The area scores, taking into account
the points deducted for observed
deficiencies;
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• The deductions for H&S for each
inspectable area; and
• The overall project score.
The Physical Inspection Report allows
the PHA and the project manager to see
the magnitude of the points lost by
inspectable area and the impact on the
score of the H&S deficiencies.
12. Examples of Physical Condition
Score Calculations
The physical inspection scoring is
deficiency based. All projects start with
100 points. Each deficiency observed
reduces the score by an amount
dependent on the importance and
severity of the deficiency, the number of
buildings and units inspected, the
inspectable items actually present to be
inspected, and the relative weights
between inspectable items and
inspectable areas.
The calculation of a physical
condition score is illustrated in the
examples provided below. The
examples go through a number of
interim stages in calculating the score,
illustrating how sub-area scores are
calculated for a single project, how the
sub-area scores are rolled up into area
scores, how the point cap is applied,
and how area scores are combined to
calculate the overall project score. One
particular deficiency, missing/damaged/
expired fire extinguishers, is carried
through the example.
As will be seen, the deduction starts
as a percent of the sub-area. Then the
area score is decreased considerably in
the final overall project score since it is
averaged across other sub-areas
(building systems in the example) and
then averaged across the five
inspectable areas. Last, as applicable,
the points deducted due to the
observance of a particular deficiency are
reduced by the application of the point
loss cap. Although interim results in the
examples are rounded to one decimal,
only the final results are rounded for
actual calculations.
Following this section, another
example is given specifically for public
housing projects to show how project
scores are rolled up into the PHAS
physical indicator score for the PHA as
a whole.
Example #1. This example illustrates how
the score for a sub-area of building systems
is calculated based on the following features.
Consider a project for which the five
inspectable areas are present and during the
inspection of a residential building with 28
units missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers are observed. This deficiency
has a severity level of 3, which has a severity
weight of 1.00 (see Item 1 of this section); a
criticality level of 5, which has a criticality
weight of 5 (see Item 1 of this section); and
an item weight of 15.5. The amount of the
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points deducted is the item weight (15.5),
multiplied by the criticality weight (5),
multiplied by the severity weight (1), which
equals 77.5.
If this sub-area has all inspectable items,
the amenity weight for the sub-area adds to
100%. If missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers is the only deficiency observed,
the initial proportionate score for this subarea (building systems in building one) is the
amenity score minus the deficiency points,
normalized to a 100-point basis. In this
instance the initial proportionate sub-area
score is 100 ¥ 77.5 = 22.5 × (100 ÷ 100) =
22.5. Because the point deduction for the
missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers
is 77.5, this deficiency accounts for 77.5% of
the sub-area score. Additional deficiencies or
H&S deficiencies would be calculated in the
same manner and further decrease the subarea score, and if the result is less than zero
(a negative number) the score is set to zero.
Element
Associated value
Amenity score ...........
Deficiency points .......
Calculation for the initial proportionate
score.
Normalizing factor .....
Normalized initial subarea score.
100.00
77.5
100.00 ¥ 77.5 = 22.5
100 ÷ 100 = 1
22.5 × 1= 22.5
Example #2. This example illustrates how
the building systems inspectable area score is
calculated from the sub-area score. Consider
a property with two buildings with the
following characteristics:
• Building One (from example #1 above):
— 28 units
— 100 percent amenity weight for items that
are present to be inspected in building
systems
— Building systems sub-area score is 22.5
points
• Building Two:
— 2 units
— 62 percent amenity weight for items that
are present to be inspected in the
building’s systems
— Building systems sub-area score is 100.0
points
The score for the building systems
area is the weighted average of the
individual scores for each building’s
systems. Each building systems score is
weighted by the number of units and the
percent of the weight for items present
to be inspected in the building systems
inspectable area.
The building systems area score is
determined as follows. First, the unit
weighted average for each building is
computed by multiplying the number of
units in the building by the amenity
weight for that building. The unit
weighted average for each building then
is divided by the total of the building
weights for all buildings in the property
to determine the proportion of building
weight for each building. Multiplying
the proportion of building weight by the
initial sub-area score for the building
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produces the building systems area
score. The building systems area score
for the property is the sum of the
building systems area score for each
building.
In this example, the buildings systems
area score for the property is 25.7.
Number of
units
Building
One .............................................................................................................................................
Two .............................................................................................................................................
28
2
Total .....................................................................................................................................
×
Amenity
weight
=
1.00
.62
30
28.0 ...................................................................................................................................................................
1.24 ...................................................................................................................................................................
29.24 .................................................................................................................................................................
.958 ...................................................................................................................................................................
.042 ...................................................................................................................................................................
As shown in the calculations above,
the proportion of building weight
allocated to building one is 95.8% (28.0
÷ 29.24 = .958). A building systems area
score of 25.7 indicates that the point
deduction for the missing/damaged/
expired fire extinguishers in building
one is 74.2 points: the number of points
deducted at the sub-area (from example
#1) multiplied by the proportion of
building weight allocated to building
one, or 77.5 × .958 = 74.2.
Example #3. This example illustrates how
the overall weighted average for the building
systems area amenity weight is calculated.
The unit weighted average of amenity weight
for each building is computed by dividing
the unit weighted average for the building (as
Unit weighted average
Building
÷
Total units
in property
=
Sum of
building
weights
=
29.24
29.24
×
Proportion of building weight
28.0
1.24
29.24
÷
Unit weighted average
Unit
weighted
average
Initial subarea score
Proportion
of building
weight
.958
.042
=
22.5
100.0
Building
systems
Area score
21.5
4.2
25.7
calculated in example #2) by the total
number of units in the property. Normalizing
the unit weighted average of amenity weights
for each building by multiplying by 100
results in the overall building systems
weighted average amenity weight. In this
example, the overall building systems
weighted average amenity weight for the
property is 97.4.
Unit weighted average
of amenity
weights
×
Normalized
to a 100
point basis
=
Overall
building
systems
weighted
average
amenity
weight
28.0
1.24
30
30
.933
.041
100
100
93.3
4.1
Total ...................................................................
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One ............................................................................
Two ............................................................................
29.24
....................
....................
....................
97.4
Example #4. This example illustrates how
the score for a property is calculated.
Consider a property with the following
characteristics. All of the values are
presumed except for the values buildings
systems which were calculated in the
preceding examples.
• Site
—Score: 90 points
—67.5 percent weighted average amenity
weight
—Nominal area weight: 15 percent
• Building Exteriors
—Score: 85 points
—100 percent weighted average amenity
weight
—Nominal area weight: 15 percent
• Building Systems (from Examples 2 and
3)
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—Score: 25.7 points
—97.4 percent weighted average amenity
weight
—Nominal area weight: 20 percent
• Common Areas
—Score: 77 points
—20 percent weighted average amenity
weight
—Nominal area weight: 15 percent
• Dwelling Units
—Score: 85 points
—94 weighted average amenity weight
—Nominal area weight: 35 percent
To calculate the property score, the
adjusted area weights for all five
inspectable areas are determined. The
amenity weights for each of the five
inspectable areas shown in the table
below are all presumed, except for the
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amenity weight for building systems
that was calculated in the three
examples above.
The property score is determined as
follows. The amenity weighted average
is computed by multiplying the nominal
area weight for the inspectable area (see
Item 1 of this Section) by the amenity
weight (presumed for the example).
Next, the amenity weighted averages for
the five inspectable areas are added to
determine the total adjusted weight
(80.5 in this example) to determine the
maximum possible points for the
inspectable area, each amenity weighted
average is divided by the total adjusted
weight and then multiplied by 100 to
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normalize the result. The sum of the five
maximum inspectable area points is the
Inspectable area
Nominal
area weight
Site .............................................
Building Exterior ........................
Building Systems .......................
Common Areas ..........................
Dwelling Units ............................
Total ....................................
total number of possible points for the
property. In this example, the maximum
15
15
20
15
35
....................
Before the final property score is
calculated, the points deducted for each
deficiency are checked against the point
loss cap in the applicable inspectable
area to assure that no single deficiency
results in the deduction of too many
points. For the missing/damaged/
expired fire extinguishers in building
one, the points deducted under building
systems will be the result of multiplying
the number of building systems points
deducted for the deficiency (74.2 as
determined in example #2) by the
proportion of total points allocated to
the building systems inspectable area
(.242 from the table above). In this
example, the points deducted for this
deficiency would be 74.2 × .242 = 18.0.
Because the point loss cap for building
Number of
units
Building
×
Amenity
weight
=
0.675
1.00
0.974
0.20
0.94
....................
Amenity
weighted
average
÷
10.1
15.0
19.5
3.0
32.9
80.5
Total adjusted
weight
Amenity
weight
=
Unit
weighted
average
×
80.5
80.5
80.5
80.5
80.5
....................
systems is 10 points, this 18.0 point
deduction exceeds the cap. Therefore,
the total points deducted due to the
missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers deficiency in building one
is reduced to 10.
There are four steps to implement the
point deduction in the final score. First,
the points lost at the area level are set.
For this property, the building systems
points deducted due to missing/
damaged/expired fire extinguishers is
set by dividing the point cap (10) by the
proportion of total points allocated to
building systems (.242), or 10 ÷ .242 =
41.3.
Second, the building systems sub-area
weight for building one is set. This is
determined by dividing the points lost
×
possible points, 99.9, was rounded to
100.
÷
Normalized
to 100 point
scale
=
100
100
100
100
100
....................
Maximum
Possible
area points
12.5
18.6
24.2
3.7
40.9
100.0
at the area level (41.3) by the proportion
of building weight for building one
(.958), or 41.3 ÷ .958 = 43.1.
Third, the building one building
systems sub-area score is recalculated
by summing the building systems
deficiencies in building one. In example
#1, the missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers is the only deficiency in
this sub-area. Therefore, the
recalculated sub-area score for building
one building systems is the amenity
score (100) minus the building systems
sub-area deficiency points (43.1), or 100
¥ 43.1 = 56.9.
The last step in the application of the
point loss cap is the determination of
the building systems area score for the
property.
Sum of the
building
weights
×
Initial
proportionate
score
=
Building
systems
area
score
One ............................................
Two ............................................
28
2
1.00
0.62
28.0
1.24
29.24
29.24
56.9
100.0
54.5
4.2
Total ....................................
30
....................
29.24
....................
....................
58.7
The recalculated building systems
area score is 58.7 points, and will be
rounded to 59. This area score is used
to calculate the overall property score.
The nominal possible points for each
inspectable area is multiplied by the
amenity weight, divided by the total
adjusted amenity weight, and
normalized to a 100-point basis, in order
to produce the possible points for the
inspectable area. The property score is
the sum of all weighted inspectable area
scores for that property. The example
below reflects how the missing/
Area
points
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Inspectable area
×
damaged/expired fire extinguishers
deficiency from example #1 in building
systems impacts the overall property
score. In this example, the property
score of 78.9 is rounded to 79.
Area
score
÷
Normalized
to a 100
point
scale
=
Project
weighted
area
scores
Site ............................................................................................................
Building Exterior ........................................................................................
Building Systems ......................................................................................
Common Areas .........................................................................................
Dwelling Units ...........................................................................................
12.5
18.6
24.2
3.7
40.9
90
85
59
77
85
100
100
100
100
100
11.2
15.8
14.3
2.8
34.8
Total ...................................................................................................
100.0
....................
....................
78.9
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13. Computing the PHAS Physical
Inspection Score
The physical inspection score for the
PHAS for a PHA is the weighted average
of the PHA’s individual project physical
inspection scores, where the weights are
the number of units in each project
divided by the total number of units in
all projects for the PHA.
Example: Project 1 has a score of 79 and
has 30 units (from the example above)
Project 2 has a score of 88 and has 600
units.
The overall PHAS score is computed as
follows:
Score = [79 × 30/(30+600)] + [88 × 600/
(30+600)]
= 3.76 + 83.81
= 87.57 that rounds to an overall physical
inspection score of 88.
14. Examples of Sampling Weights for
Buildings
The determination of which buildings
will be inspected is a two-phase
process. In Phase 1 of the process, all
common buildings and buildings that
contain sampled dwelling units that
will be inspected are included in the
sampled buildings that will be
inspected. (Dwelling units are sampled
with equal probabilities at random from
all buildings.) When all buildings in a
project are not selected in the building
sample through Phase 1, Phase 2 is used
to increase the size of the building
sample. In Phase 2, the additional
buildings that are to be included in the
sample are selected with equal
probabilities so that the total residential
building sample size is the lesser of
either (1) the dwelling unit sample size,
or (2) the number of residential
buildings.
To illustrate the process for sampling
buildings, two examples are provided
below:
Example #1. This example illustrates a
project with two buildings for which both
buildings are sampled with certainty.
Building 1 has 10 dwelling units and
building 2 has 20 dwelling units, for a total
of 30 dwelling units. The target dwelling unit
sample size for a project with 30 dwelling
units is 15. Thus, the sampling ratio for this
project is the total number of dwelling units
divided by the unit sample size, or 30 ÷ 15
= 2. This means that every second dwelling
unit will be selected. The number of
residential buildings to be inspected is the
minimum of 15 (the dwelling unit sample)
and 2 (the number of residential buildings).
Thus, 2 residential buildings will be
inspected. Since both buildings have at least
2 dwelling units, both buildings are certain
to be selected for inspection in Phase 1. Since
all buildings were selected in Phase 1 of
sampling, Phase 2 is not invoked. Both
buildings will then have a selection
probability of 1.00 and a sampling weight of
1.00.
Example #2. This example illustrates a
project with some buildings selected in Phase
1, other buildings selected in Phase 2, and
some buildings that are not selected at all.
The project is comprised of 22 residential
buildings. Two of the buildings each have 10
dwelling units and the other 20 buildings are
single-family dwelling units, for a total of 40
dwelling units (2 × 10) + 20 = 40. The target
dwelling unit sample size for a project with
40 dwelling units is 16. The sampling ratio
for this project is the total number of units
divided by the unit sample size, or 40 ÷ 16
= 2.5. In accordance with the inspection
protocol of inspecting the minimum of the
dwelling unit sample (16) and the number of
residential buildings (22), 16 of the
residential buildings will be inspected for
this project.
In Phase 1 of sampling, the two buildings
with 10 dwelling units are selected with
certainty since each building has more than
2.5 dwelling units. Each of the single-family
buildings has a 1 ÷ 2.5 or 0.40 probability of
selection in Phase 1.
Assume that both multi-unit buildings and
eight of the single-family buildings (10
buildings in all) are selected in Phase 1. This
leaves 12 single-family buildings available
for selection in Phase 2. Since 16 residential
buildings will be inspected, the sample of 10
buildings selected in Phase 1 falls six
buildings short of a full sample. Therefore,
six buildings will be selected in Phase 2.
Since Phase 2 sampling will select 6 of the
12 previously unselected buildings, each
building not selected in Phase 1 will have a
six in 12 (0.50) probability of selection in
Phase 2.
The two multi-unit buildings each have a
sampling probability calculated as follows:
Sampling probability = 1.00 + ((1.00 ¥
1.00) × 0.50) = 1.00. The sampling weight for
these buildings is 1.
The single-family buildings each have a
sampling probability calculated as follows:
Sampling probability = 0.40 + ((1.00 ¥
0.40) × 0.50) = 0.70. The sampling weight of
selected single-family buildings is 1 ÷ 0.70 =
1.43.
15. Accessibility Questions
HUD reviews particular elements
during the physical inspection to
determine possible indications of
noncompliance with the Fair Housing
Act (42 U.S.C. 3601–3619) and section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794). More specifically, during
the physical inspection, the inspector
will record if: (1) There is a wheelchairaccessible route to and from the main
ground floor entrance of the buildings
inspected; (2) the main entrance for
every building inspected is at least 32
inches wide, measured between the
door and the opposite door jamb; (3)
there is an accessible route to all
exterior common areas; and (4) for
multi-story buildings that are inspected,
the interior hallways to all inspected
units and common areas are at least 36
inches wide. These items are recorded,
but do not affect the score.
IV. Environmental Review
This notice provides operating
instructions and procedures in
connection with activity under the
Public Housing Assessment System
regulations at 24 DFR part 902 that have
previously been subject to the required
environmental review. Accordingly,
under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(4), this notice is
categorically excluded from
environmental review under the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).
Dated: July 26, 2012.
Sandra B. Henriquez,
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing.
Appendix I: Item Weights and
Criticalities
AREA—SITE
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Inspectable item
Fencing and Gates ................
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
Health & Safety .....................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
10.0
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
Jkt 226001
H&S
1
10.0
Grounds .................................
Criticality
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
....
X
....
........
4
X
X
X
NLT
4
3
4
3
5
09AUN2
3
3
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning (Non-security/Non-safety).
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning (Security/Safety).
Erosion/Rutting Areas ..........................................................
Overgrown/Penetrating Vegetation ......................................
Ponding/Site Drainage .........................................................
Air Quality—Sewer Odor Detected ......................................
Air Quality—Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
2
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
........
........
NLT
LT
47725
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—SITE—Continued
Inspectable item
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
Market Appeal .......................
Parking Lots/Driveways/
Roads.
Play Areas and Equipment ....
Refuse Disposal ....................
Retaining Walls ......................
Storm Drainage .....................
Walkways/Steps ....................
H&S
1
12.5
12.5
Mailboxes/Project Signs ........
Criticality
12.5
12.5
0.0
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
1.0
1.0
8.0
8.0
8.5
8.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
10.0
12.5
12.5
12.5
12.5
....
....
....
....
X
X
LT
LT
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
....
X
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
........
........
........
........
........
4
3
3
3
....
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
........
NLT
........
........
4
5
3
3
3
Ponding ................................................................................
Damaged/Broken Equipment ...............................................
Deteriorated Play Area Surface ...........................................
Broken/Damaged Enclosure—Inadequate Outside Storage
Space.
Damaged/Falling/Leaning ....................................................
Damaged/Obstructed ...........................................................
Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..............................................
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving .................................................
Spalling ................................................................................
3
5
5
Electrical Hazards—Exposed Wires/Open Panels ..............
Electrical Hazards—Water Leaks on/near Electrical Equipment.
Flammable/Combustible Materials—Improperly Stored ......
Garbage and Debris—Outdoors ..........................................
Hazards—Other ...................................................................
Hazards—Sharp Edges .......................................................
Hazards—Tripping ...............................................................
Infestation—Insects .............................................................
Infestation—Rats/Mice/Vermin ............................................
Mailbox Missing/Damaged ...................................................
Signs Damaged ...................................................................
Graffiti ..................................................................................
Litter .....................................................................................
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/Loose Materials/Potholes ........
2
X
....
....
....
X
....
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
....
....
NLT
........
NLT
........
........
NOTE: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Site are present. Item weights would be adjusted accordingly when items are not
applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal to 12.5%.
3) ‘‘X’’ in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling for immediate attention or
remedy).
AREA—BUILDING EXTERIOR
Inspectable
item
Doors .....................................
FHEO .....................................
Fire Escapes ..........................
Foundations ...........................
Health and Safety ..................
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
0.0
0.0
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
0.0
18.4
0.0
18.4
18.4
11.5
18.4
18.4
Jkt 226001
H&S
1
18.4
Lighting ..................................
Roofs .....................................
Criticality
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
........
........
NLT
........
........
........
........
LT
LT
........
........
LT
LT
5
....
....
X
LT
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
5
4
09AUN2
3
2
3
4
3
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ...........................
Damaged Hardware/Locks ..................................................
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) .......................
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door ..................
Deteriorated/Missing Caulking/Seals ...................................
Missing Door ........................................................................
FHEO—Main Entrance Less Than 32’’ Wide ......................
FHEO—Obstructed or Missing Accessibility Route ............
Blocked Egress/Ladders ......................................................
Visibly Missing Components ................................................
Cracks/Gaps ........................................................................
Spalling/Exposed Rebar ......................................................
Electrical Hazards—Exposed Wires/Open Panels ..............
Electrical Hazards—Water Leaks on/near Electrical Equipment.
Emergency Fire Exits—Emergency/Fire Exits Blocked/Unusable.
Emergency Fire Exits—Missing Exit Signs .........................
Flammable/Combustible Materials—Improperly Stored ......
Garbage and Debris—Outdoors ..........................................
Hazards—Other ...................................................................
Hazards—Sharp Edges .......................................................
Hazards—Tripping ...............................................................
Infestation—Insects .............................................................
Infestation—Rats/Mice/Vermin ............................................
Broken Fixtures/Bulbs ..........................................................
Damaged/Clogged Drains ...................................................
Damaged Soffits/Fascia/Soffit Vents ...................................
2
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
........
........
........
47726
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—BUILDING EXTERIOR—Continued
Inspectable
item
Walls ......................................
Windows ................................
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
18.4
14.9
14.9
14.9
14.9
14.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Damaged Vents ...................................................................
Damaged/Torn Membrane/Missing Ballast .........................
Missing/Damaged Components from Downspout/Gutter ....
Missing/Damaged Shingles .................................................
Ponding ................................................................................
Cracks/Gaps ........................................................................
Damaged Chimneys ............................................................
Missing/Damaged Caulking/Mortar ......................................
Missing Pieces/Holes/Spalling .............................................
Stained/Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ...........................................
Damaged/Missing Screens ..................................................
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim .....................................
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound ...
Peeling/Needs Paint ............................................................
4
5
3
5
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
5
5
2
2
3
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
X
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
....
....
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
....
X
....
....
X
....
........
........
........
........
........
........
NLT
........
........
........
NLT
........
........
........
........
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Building Exterior are present. Item weights would be adjusted accordingly when
items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal to 18.4%.
3) ‘‘X’’ in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling for immediate attention or
remedy).
AREA—BUILDING SYSTEMS
Inspectable item
Domestic Water .....................
Electrical System ...................
................................................
Elevators
Emergency Power .................
Fire Protection .......................
Health & Safety .....................
................................................
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Roof Exhaust System ............
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
5.0
2.0
2.0
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
0.0
15.5
0.0
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
15.5
Jkt 226001
H&S
1
15.5
15.5
HVAC .....................................
Criticality
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
........
LT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
........
LT
LT
NLT
........
........
NLT
LT
NLT
LT
NLT
LT
LT
3
5
....
....
....
....
X
X
NLT
LT
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
2
5
3
09AUN2
3
2
4
5
5
5
3
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
3
5
3
5
5
General Rust/Corrosion on Heater Chimney ......................
Leaking Central Water Supply .............................................
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System .............................
Missing Pressure Relief Valve .............................................
Water Supply Inoperable .....................................................
Blocked Access/Improper Storage ......................................
Burnt Breakers .....................................................................
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ...............................................
Frayed Wiring ......................................................................
Missing Breakers/Fuses ......................................................
Missing Covers ....................................................................
Inoperable ............................................................................
Auxiliary Lighting Inoperable ...............................................
Run-Up Records/Documentation Not Available ..................
Missing Sprinkler Head ........................................................
Missing/Damaged/Expired Extinguishers ............................
Air Quality—Mold and/or Mildew Observed ........................
Air Quality—Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
Air Quality—Sewer Odor Detected ......................................
Electrical Hazards—Exposed Wires/Open Panels ..............
Electrical Hazards—Water Leaks on/near Electrical Equipment.
Elevator—Tripping ...............................................................
Emergency Fire Exits—Emergency/Fire Exits Blocked/Unusable.
Emergency Fire Exits—Missing Exit Signs .........................
Flammable/Combustible Materials—Improperly Stored ......
Garbage and Debris—Indoors .............................................
Garbage and Debris—Outdoors ..........................................
Hazards—Other ...................................................................
Hazards—Sharp Edges .......................................................
Hazards—Tripping ...............................................................
Infestation—Insects .............................................................
Infestation—Rats/Mice/Vermin ............................................
Boiler/Pump/Cooling System Leaks ....................................
Fuel Supply Leaks ...............................................................
General Rust/Corrosion .......................................................
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System .............................
Roof Exhaust Fan(s) Inoperable .........................................
2
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
........
NLT
NLT
LT
........
47727
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—BUILDING SYSTEMS—Continued
Inspectable item
Sanitary System ....................
Nominal
item
weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
15.5
15.5
Broken/Leaking/Clogged Pipes or Drains ...........................
Missing Drain/Cleanout/Manhole Covers ............................
5
3
2
3
....
....
....
....
X
X
NLT
........
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Building System are present. Item weights would be adjusted accordingly when
items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal to 15.5%.
3) ‘‘X’’ in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling for immediate attention or
remedy).
AREA—COMMON AREAS
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
Basement/Garage/Carport .....
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Closet/Utility Mechanical .......
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
....
X
X
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
X
X
....
X
X
....
X
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
........
........
........
........
NLT
........
NLT
........
........
........
NLT
NLT
NLT
........
LT
LT
........
........
........
1
4
2
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
5
X
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
....
....
....
X
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
........
........
........
........
LT
LT
NLT
NLT
........
........
........
........
........
NLT
........
........
........
3
1
5
4
4
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
3
4
09AUN2
3
4
4
1
2
3
3
4
3
5
4
3
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Damaged ...............................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
2
X
X
....
....
X
X
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
X
X
....
X
....
X
....
....
X
....
X
X
X
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
........
LT
........
........
........
........
NLT
........
NLT
........
........
NLT
NLT
NLT
47728
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Community Room ..................
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
...........................................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
........
LT
LT
........
........
........
1
4
2
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
5
X
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
....
....
....
X
....
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4
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1
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3
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5
5
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4
4
X
X
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X
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2
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........
2
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
09AUN2
3
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
2
X
....
X
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
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....
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X
X
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X
....
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LT
NLT
NLT
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NLT
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47729
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Day Care ...............................
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
FHEO .....................................
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Halls/Corridors/Stairs .............
...........................................
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17:21 Aug 08, 2012
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........
5
4
4
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
3
4
5
5
09AUN2
3
4
5
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
FHEO—Multi-story Building Hallways/Common Areas
Less Than 36’’ Wide.
FHEO—Routes Obstructed or Inaccessible to Wheelchair
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
2
....
....
X
X
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
....
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X
X
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X
X
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........
47730
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Health & Safety .....................
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Kitchen ...................................
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17:21 Aug 08, 2012
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Criticality
H&S
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3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
4
4
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
3
4
5
09AUN2
3
5
5
4
4
4
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
Graffiti ..................................................................................
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Mailbox—Missing/Damaged ................................................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Pedestrian/Wheelchair Ramp ..............................................
Air Quality—Mold and/or Mildew Observed ........................
Air Quality—Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
Air Quality—Sewer Odor Detected ......................................
Electrical Hazards—Exposed Wires/Open Panels ..............
Electrical Hazards—Water Leaks on/near Electrical Equipment.
Emergency Fire Exits—Emergency/Fire Exits Blocked/Unusable.
Emergency Fire Exits—Missing Exit Signs .........................
Flammable/Combustible Materials—Improperly Stored ......
Garbage and Debris—Indoors .............................................
Garbage and Debris—Outdoors ..........................................
Hazards—Other ...................................................................
Hazards—Sharp Edges .......................................................
Hazards—Tripping ...............................................................
Infestation—Insects .............................................................
Infestation—Rats/Mice/Vermin ............................................
Cabinets—Missing/Damaged ..............................................
Call for Aid—Inoperable ......................................................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Countertops—Missing/Damaged .........................................
Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal—Inoperable ........................
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
2
....
....
....
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....
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X
X
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X
X
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X
X
X
X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
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NLT
47731
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
0
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Laundry Room .......................
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
Level
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Criticality
H&S
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........
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4
2
5
5
5
4
2
09AUN2
3
5
5
5
4
4
4
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
GFI—Inoperable ..................................................................
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Plumbing—Clogged Drains .................................................
Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes ........................................
Range/Stove—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable ......................
Range Hood/Exhaust Fans—Excessive Grease/Inoperable
Refrigerator—Damaged/Inoperable .....................................
Sink—Missing/Damaged ......................................................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Dryer Vent—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable .........................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
GFI—Inoperable ..................................................................
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
2
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47732
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
10
10
10
0
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10
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5
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5
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5
Lobby .....................................
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
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5
5
5
5
5
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HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
2
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47733
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
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5
5
5
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5
5
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Other Community Spaces .....
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09AUN2
3
2
3
3
3
4
5
3
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
2
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47734
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
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5
5
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Patio/Porch/Balcony ..............
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
5
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Pools and Related Structures
Restrooms/Pool Structures ....
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2
3
3
09AUN2
3
2
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
5
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Baluster/Side Railings—Damaged ......................................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Pools—Damaged/Not Intact—Fencing or Gate(s) ..............
Pools—Inoperable ...............................................................
Call for Aid—Inoperable ......................................................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
2
X
X
....
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X
X
X
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NLT
........
LT
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NLT
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NLT
........
NLT
47735
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Storage ..................................
5
5
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
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09AUN2
3
3
4
5
3
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
GFI—Inoperable ..................................................................
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lavatory Sink—Damaged/Missing .......................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Plumbing—Clogged Drains .................................................
Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes ........................................
Restroom Cabinet—Damaged/Missing ...............................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Shower/Tub—Damaged/Missing .........................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Ventilation/Exhaust System—Inoperable ............................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Water Closet/Toilet—Damaged/Clogged/Missing ...............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Ceiling—Bulging/Buckling ....................................................
Ceiling—Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks .......................
Ceiling—Peeling/Needs Paint ..............................................
Ceiling—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ...........
Doors—Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ..............
Doors—Damaged Hardware/Locks .....................................
Doors—Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door .....
Doors—Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) ..........
Doors—Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) ................
Doors—Missing Door ...........................................................
Electrical—Blocked Access to Electrical Panel ...................
Electrical—Burnt Breakers ...................................................
Electrical—Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ............................
Electrical—Frayed Wiring ....................................................
Electrical—Missing Breakers ...............................................
Electrical—Missing Covers ..................................................
Floors—Bulging/Buckling .....................................................
Floors—Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ..................
Floors—Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/
Tiles.
Floors—Peeling/Needs Paint ...............................................
Floors—Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ......................................
2
X
....
X
X
....
X
........
........
47736
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—COMMON AREAS—Continued
Inspectable item
location
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Trash Collection Areas ..........
Level
Observable deficiency
Criticality
H&S
1
3
2
5
5
4
2
....
....
....
X
....
X
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
....
X
........
LT
........
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2
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
5
X
....
X
....
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
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X
X
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X
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
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X
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LT
LT
NLT
NLT
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........
........
NLT
........
........
........
3
1
5
3
Floors—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ............
HVAC—Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System ................
HVAC—Inoperable ..............................................................
HVAC—Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking ..........................................
HVAC—Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
HVAC—General Rust/Corrosion .........................................
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture ..................
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/Broken ................
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable .................................
Stairs—Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .............................
Stairs—Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..................................
Walls—Bulging/Buckling ......................................................
Walls—Damaged .................................................................
Walls—Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ....................................
Walls—Peeling/Needs Paint ................................................
Walls—Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage .............
Windows—Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ........................
Windows—Damaged/Missing Screens ................................
Windows—Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim ...................
Windows—Missing/Deteriorated
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
Windows—Inoperable/Not Lockable ....................................
Windows—Peeling/Needs Paint ..........................................
Windows—Security Bars Prevent Egress ...........................
Chutes—Damaged/Missing Components ............................
2
X
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
....
X
....
NLT
........
LT
........
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Common Areas are present. Item weights would be adjusted accordingly when
items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal to 10%.
3) ‘‘X’’ in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only Level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling for immediate attention or
remedy).
AREA—UNITS
Inspectable item
Bathroom ..............................
Call-for-Aid ............................
Ceiling ...................................
Doors ....................................
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Electrical System ..................
Floors ....................................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:21 Aug 08, 2012
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
H&S
1
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
2.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Jkt 226001
Criticality
Bathroom Cabinets—Damaged/Missing ..............................
Lavatory Sink—Damaged/Missing .......................................
Plumbing—Clogged Drains .................................................
Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes ........................................
Shower/Tub—Damaged/Missing .........................................
Ventilation/Exhaust System—Inoperable ............................
Water Closet/Toilet—Damaged/Clogged/Missing ...............
Inoperable ............................................................................
Bulging/Buckling ..................................................................
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks ......................................
Peeling/Needs Paint ............................................................
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ..........................
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim ...........................
Damaged Hardware/Locks ..................................................
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door ..................
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) .......................
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) .............................
Missing Door ........................................................................
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel .....................................
Burnt Breakers .....................................................................
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion ...............................................
Frayed Wiring ......................................................................
GFI—Inoperable ..................................................................
Missing Breakers/Fuses ......................................................
Missing Covers ....................................................................
Bulging/Buckling ..................................................................
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/Tiles .......
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ..........................
Peeling/Needs Paint ............................................................
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor ....................................................
PO 00000
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LT
LT
47737
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
AREA—UNITS—Continued
Inspectable item
Health & Safety ....................
Nominal
item weight
(percent)
Level
Observable deficiency
HVAC System .......................
Kitchen ..................................
Laundry Area (Room) ...........
Lighting .................................
Outlets/Switches ...................
Patio/Porch/ Balcony ............
Smoke Detector ....................
Stairs .....................................
Walls .....................................
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Windows ...............................
H&S
1
4.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
Hot Water Heater .................
Criticality
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
0.0
15.0
0.0
15.0
15.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
2.0
2.0
4.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
2.0
2.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
3
4
3
3
5
5
5
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
....
....
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
NLT
LT
LT
LT
5
....
....
X
LT
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
4
5
5
2
....
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X
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X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
2
5
5
4
2
2
2
4
3
2
3
3
5
3
4
3
3
3
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
5
3
1
5
Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged ................................
Air Quality—Mold and/or Mildew Observed ........................
Air Quality—Sewer Odor Detected ......................................
Air Quality—Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
Electrical Hazards—Exposed Wires/Open Panels ..............
Electrical Hazards—Water Leaks on/near Electrical Equipment.
Emergency Fire Exits—Emergency/Fire Exits Blocked/Unusable.
Emergency Fire Exits—Missing Exit Signs .........................
Flammable/Combustible Materials—Improperly Stored ......
Garbage and Debris—Indoors .............................................
Garbage and Debris—Outdoors ..........................................
Hazards—Other ...................................................................
Hazards—Sharp Edges .......................................................
Hazards—Tripping ...............................................................
Infestation—Insects .............................................................
Infestation—Rats/Mice/Vermin ............................................
General Rust/Corrosion .......................................................
Inoperable Unit/Components ...............................................
Leaking Valves/Tanks/Pipes ................................................
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System .............................
Missing Pressure Relief Valve .............................................
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/Damaged.
General Rust/Corrosion .......................................................
Inoperable ............................................................................
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System .............................
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking .......................................................
Cabinets—Missing/Damaged ..............................................
Countertops—Missing/Damaged .........................................
Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal—Inoperable ........................
Plumbing—Clogged Drains .................................................
Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes ........................................
Range Hood/Exhaust Fans—Excessive Grease/Inoperable
Range/Stove—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable ......................
Refrigerator-Missing/Damaged/Inoperable ..........................
Sink—Missing/Damaged ......................................................
Dryer Vent—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable .........................
Missing/Inoperable Fixture ...................................................
Missing .................................................................................
Missing/Broken Cover Plates ..............................................
Baluster/Side Railings Damaged .........................................
Missing/Inoperable ...............................................................
Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps .........................................
Broken/Missing Hand Railing ..............................................
Bulging/Buckling ..................................................................
Damaged .............................................................................
Damaged/Deteriorated Trim ................................................
Peeling/Needs Paint ............................................................
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage ..........................
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes ...........................................
Damaged/Missing Screens ..................................................
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim .....................................
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound ...
Inoperable/Not Lockable ......................................................
Peeling/Needs Paint ............................................................
Security Bars Prevent Egress .............................................
2
X
....
....
X
....
....
....
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
....
X
....
....
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
X
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X
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X
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X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
....
X
X
....
....
X
X
....
X
LT
NLT
LT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
LT
LT
LT
NLT
NLT
NLT
NLT
LT
Note: (1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Units are present. Item weights would be adjusted accordingly when items are
not applicable (N/A).
(2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal to 15%.
(3) ‘‘X’’ in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
(4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
(5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling for immediate attention or
remedy).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:40 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
PO 00000
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Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09AUN2.SGM
09AUN2
47738
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
Appendix 2: Dictionary of Deficiency
Definitions
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES2
Site Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ‘‘Site’’ are as follows:
• Fencing and Gates
• Grounds
• Mailboxes/Project Signs
• Market Appeal
• Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads
• Play Areas and Equipment
• Refuse Disposal
• Retaining Walls
• Storm Drainage
• Walkways/Steps
Fencing and Gates (Site)
Fence: A structure functioning as a
boundary or barrier. An upright structure
serving to enclose, divide or protect an area.
Gate: A structured opening in a fence for
entrance or exit.
Note: This does not include swimming
pool fences or gates. Swimming pool fences
and gates are covered under ‘‘Pools and
Related Structures (Common Areas).’’
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/
Leaning—Non-Security/Non-Safety
• Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/
Leaning—Security/Safety
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/
Leaning—Non-security/Non-safety (Fencing
and Gates—Site)
Deficiency: A non-security/non-safety (for
example, privacy/decorative) fence or gate is
rusted, deteriorated, uprooted, missing or
contains holes.
Note:
1. Gates for swimming pool fences are
covered in another section, ‘‘Pools and
Related Structures (Common Areas).’’
2. Fences designed for security/safety are
addressed under ‘‘Holes/Missing Sections/
Damaged/Falling/Leaning—Security/Safety
(Fencing and Gates—Sites).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A non-security/non-safety fence or
gate contains holes or deterioration/damage
in greater than 25% of a fence.
Level 3: N/A
Comment:
Level 2: If the non-security/non-safety
fence poses any danger, note this as a health
and safety issue under ‘‘Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/
Leaning—Security/Safety (Fencing and
Gates—Site)
Deficiency: A security/safety (i.e.,
perimeter/security) fence or gate is rusted,
deteriorated, uprooted or missing such that it
may threaten security, health or safety.
Note:
1. Do not evaluate the fence under this
item if the fence or gate is not designed for
security/safety, such as keeping intruders or
children out. Refer to ‘‘Holes/Missing
Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning—NonSecurity/Non-Safety (Fencing and Gates—
Sites).’’
2. Security/safety fences include perimeter
fences that are designed to keep people in
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and/or out as well as fences around
playgrounds, etc.
3. Fences less than 4 feet in height are to
be addressed under non-security fences.
4. Gates for swimming pool fences are
covered in another section, ‘‘Pools and
Related Structures (Common Areas).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A security/safety fence or gate
contains small holes or related damage as
defined above (smaller than 12 inches by 12
inches) in less than 25% of the fence.
Level 2: A security/safety fence or gate
contains small holes or related damage as
defined above (smaller than 12 inches by 12
inches) in more than 25% of the fence.
Level 3: A security/safety fence or fence
section contains large holes or related
damage as defined above (greater than 12
inches by 12 inches) or is missing a section.
Note: If the fence can cause injury or allow
bodily harm, record it under ‘‘Hazards
(Health and Safety).’’
Grounds (Site)
The improved land adjacent to or
surrounding the housing and related
structures. This does not include land not
owned or under the control of the housing
provider.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Erosion/Rutting Areas
• Overgrown/Penetrating Vegetation
• Ponding/Site Drainage
Erosion/Rutting Areas (Grounds—Site)
Deficiency: Natural processes, weathering,
erosion, or gravity, or man-made processes
have caused either of these conditions:
—Collection or removal of surface material.
-OR—Sunken tracks, ruts, grooves, or
depressions.
Note: This does not include erosion/rutting
from a defined storm drainage system or in
a play area. These are covered in these
sections: ‘‘Storm Drainage (Site)’’ and ‘‘Play
Areas and Equipment (Site).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Erosion has caused surface
material to collect, leading to a degraded
surface that would likely cause water to pool
in a confined area, especially next to
structures, paved areas, or walkways.
-ORA rut/groove is 6 to 8 inches wide and 3
to 5 inches deep.
Level 3: Runoff has extensively displaced
soil, which has caused visible damage or the
potential failure of adjoining structures or
systems, such as pipes, pavements,
foundations, building, etc.
-ORAdvanced erosion threatens the safety of
pedestrians or makes an area of the grounds
unusable.
-ORThere is a rut larger than 8 inches wide by
5 inches deep.
Overgrown/Penetrating Vegetation
(Grounds—Site)
Deficiency: Plant life has spread to
unacceptable areas, unintended surfaces, or
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has grown in areas where it was not intended
to grow.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Vegetation is extensive and dense;
it is difficult to see broken glass, holes, and
other hazards.
-ORVegetation contacts or penetrates an
unintended surface, such as buildings,
gutters, fences/walls, roofs, HVAC units, etc.,
but you see no visible damage.
-ORExtensive, dense vegetation obstructs the
intended path of walkways or roads, but the
path is still passable.
Level 3: Plants have visibly damaged a
component, area, or system of the property or
have made them unusable/impassable.
Ponding/Site Drainage (Grounds—Site)
Deficiency: Water or ice has collected in a
depression or on ground where ponding was
not intended.
Note:
1. This does not include detention/
retention basins or ponding on paved areas,
such as parking lots:
—Detention/retention basins are covered in
‘‘Storm Drainage (Site).’’
—Ponding on paved areas is covered in
‘‘Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads (Site).’’
2. If there has been measurable
precipitation (1/10 inch or more) during the
previous 48 hours, consider the impact on
the extent of the ponding.
3. Determine that ponding has occurred
only when there is clear evidence of a
persistent or long-standing problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An accumulation of water (3 to 5
inches deep) affects the use of at least 100
square feet of the grounds, but the grounds
are generally usable.
Level 3: There is an accumulation of more
than 5 inches deep over 100 square feet.
-ORAccumulation has made a large section of
the grounds, more than 20%, unusable for its
intended purpose. For example, ponding has
made a recreational field unusable.
Mailboxes/Project Signs (Site)
Mailbox is a public container where mail
is deposited for distribution and collection.
This does not include mailboxes owned and
maintained by the U.S. Postal Service, such
as the ‘‘Blue Boxes.’’ Project signs are boards,
posters, or placards displayed in a public
place to advertise, impart information, or
give directions. This does not include signs
owned and maintained by the city.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Mailbox Missing/Damaged
• Signs Damaged
Mailbox Missing/Damaged (Mailboxes/
Project Signs—Site)
Deficiency: The U.S. Postal Service
resident/unit mailbox is either missing or so
damaged that it does not function properly.
Note: Do not inspect commercial deposit
boxes, FedEx, UPS, etc., or U.S. Postal
Service ‘‘blue boxes.’’
Level of Deficiency:
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Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The U.S. Postal Service resident/
unit mailbox cannot be locked.
-ORThe U.S. Postal Service resident/unit
mailbox is missing or so damaged that it does
not function properly.
Signs Damaged (Mailboxes/Project Signs—
Site)
Deficiency: The project sign is not legible
or readable because of deterioration or
damage.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The sign is damaged, vandalized,
or deteriorated, and cannot be read from a
reasonable distance (for example, 20 feet).
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Market Appeal (Site)
Evaluate only those areas or structures that
are under the control of the housing provider.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Graffiti
• Litter
Graffiti (Market Appeal—Site)
Deficiency: You see crude inscriptions or
drawings scratched, painted, or sprayed on a
building surface, retaining wall, or fence that
the public can see from 30 feet away.
Note: There is a difference between art
forms and graffiti. Do not consider full wall
murals and other art forms as graffiti.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see graffiti in 1 place.
Level 2: You see graffiti in 2 to 5 places.
Level 3: You see graffiti in 6 or more
places.
Litter (Market Appeal—Site)
Deficiency: There is a disorderly
accumulation of objects on the property,
especially carelessly discarded trash.
Note: Judge litter as you would judge the
condition of a city park in America. Do not
include these as litter:
1. Litter left behind in the path of a recent
garbage collection.
2. Litter that maintenance personnel are
collecting and removing during your
inspection.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see excessive litter on the
property.
Level 3: N/A
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Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads (Site)
An area for parking motorized vehicles
begins at the curbside and includes all
parking lots, driveways or roads within the
property lines that are under the control of
the housing provider.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/Loose
Materials/Potholes
• Ponding
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Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/Loose Materials/
Potholes (Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads—
Site)
Deficiency: There are visible faults in the
pavement: longitudinal, lateral, alligator, etc.
The pavement sinks or rises because of the
failure of sub-base materials.
Note:
1. Do not include cracks on walkways/
steps.
2. For this to be a Level 2 deficiency, more
than 10% of the area must be impacted, for
example, 100 out of 1,000 square feet. The
10% level does not apply to Level 3
conditions.
3. Relief joints are there by design; do not
consider them cracks.
4. Repaired/sealed cracks should not be
considered a deficiency.
5. When observing traffic ability, consider
the capacity to support people on foot, in
wheelchairs, and using walkers or canes, etc.,
and the potential for problems and hazards.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Damaged pavement as defined
above greater than 3⁄4 inch, cracks,
settlement, hinging/tilting, loose materials,
pot holes, or missing section(s) that affect
traffic ability over more than 10% of the
property’s parking lots/driveways/roads.
Note a deficiency if you see cracks on more
than 10% of the paved area.
Level 3: Damaged pavement as defined
above has made a parking lot/driveway
unusable/impassable or creates unsafe
conditions for pedestrians and vehicles.
Comment:
Level 2: If the height differential is greater
than 3⁄4 inch, consider this a safety hazard.
If the condition of the surface could cause
tripping or falling, you must manually record
this deficiency under ‘‘Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Ponding (Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads—
Site)
Deficiency: Water or ice has accumulated
in a depression on an otherwise flat plane.
Note:
1. Consider the impact of any measurable
precipitation, 1/10 inch or more, during the
last 48 hours. Note the deficiency only if
there is clear evidence that the ponding is a
persistent or long-standing problem.
2. For parking lots/driveways/roads only,
note a deficiency if you see ponding on more
than 5% of the paved area.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Between 1 and 3 inches of water
has accumulated, affecting the use of 5% or
more of a parking lot/driveway/road. The
parking lot/driveway/road is passable.
Level 3: More than 3 inches of water has
accumulated making 5% or more of a parking
lot/driveway/road unusable or unsafe.
Damaged/Broken Equipment (Play Areas and
Equipment—Site)
Deficiency: Equipment is broken into
pieces, shattered, incomplete, or inoperable.
Note: Do not evaluate equipment that the
POA states have been withdrawn from
service, except when safety is still a concern,
such as sharp edges, dangerous leaning, etc.
For example, if the POA removed the net and
hoop from a basketball backboard and the
backboard poses no safety hazards, it is not
a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see that some of the
equipment, 20% to 50%, does not operate as
it should, but poses no safety risk.
Level 2: You see that most of the
equipment, more than 50%, does not operate
as it should, but poses no safety risk.
Level 3: You see equipment that poses a
threat to safety and could cause injury.
Deteriorated Play Area Surface (Play Areas
and Equipment—Site)
Deficiency: You see damage to a play area
surface caused by cracking, heaving, settling,
ponding, potholes, loose materials, erosion,
rutting, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the total surveyed
play area surface shows deterioration.
Level 3: More than 50% of the surveyed
play area surface shows deterioration.
Comment:
Level 3: If the play area surface could cause
tripping or falling, you must manually record
this deficiency under ‘‘Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Play Areas and Equipment (Site)
An outdoor area set aside for recreation or
play, especially one containing equipment
such as seesaws and swings.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Damaged/Broken Equipment
• Deteriorated Play Area Surface
Retaining Walls (Site)
A wall built to support or prevent the
advance of a mass of earth or water.
Damaged/Falling/Leaning (Retaining Walls—
Site)
Deficiency: A retaining wall structure is
deteriorated, damaged, falling, or leaning.
Level of Deficiency:
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Refuse Disposal (Site)
Collection areas for trash/garbage common
pick-up.
Broken/Damaged Enclosure—Inadequate
Outside Storage Space (Refuse Disposal—
Site)
Deficiency: The outdoor enclosed area used
as a trash/refuse site is:
—Broken or damaged, including its walls.
—OR—
—Too small to properly store refuse until
disposal.
Note: This does not include areas that are
not designed as trash/refuse enclosures, such
as curb pick-up.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A single wall or gate of the
enclosure has collapsed or is leaning and is
in danger of falling.
—OR—
Trash cannot be stored in the designated
area because it is too small to store refuse
until disposal.
Level 3: N/A
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Level 1: A retaining wall shows some signs
of deterioration, damage, falling or leaning,
but it still functions as it should, and it is not
a safety risk.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A retaining wall is damaged and
has failed or is a safety risk.
Storm Drainage (Site)
System used to collect and dispose of
surface runoff water through the use of
culverts, underground structures, or natural
drainage features, e.g., swales, ditches, etc.
Damaged/Obstructed (Storm Drainage—Site)
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Deficiency: If the storm drains are
structurally unsound/damaged, are blocked/
obstructed by accumulated debris, or present
other safety hazards.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The system is partially blocked by
a large quantity of debris, causing backup
into adjacent area(s).
Level 3: The system is structurally
unsound/damaged or completely blocked, or
a large segment of the system has failed
because a large quantity of debris has caused:
—Backups into adjacent area(s).
—OR—
—Runoffs into areas where runoffs are not
intended.
Walkways/Steps (Site)
Passages for walking and the structures
that allow for changes in vertical orientation.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Broken/Missing Hand Railing
• Cracks/Settlement/Heaving
• Spalling
Broken/Missing Hand Railing (Walkways/
Steps—Site)
Deficiency: The handrail is damaged or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The handrail for 4 or more stairs
is missing, damaged, loose, or otherwise
unusable.
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving (Walkways/
Steps—Site)
Deficiency:
—Visible faults in the pavement:
longitudinal, lateral, alligator, etc.
—OR—
—Pavement that sinks or rises because of the
failure of sub-base materials.
Note:
1. Do not include cracks on parking lots/
driveways or roads.
2. For this to be a Level 2 deficiency, 5%
of the walkways must be impacted, for
example, 50 out of 1,000 square feet.
3. Relief joints are there by design; do not
consider them cracks.
4. Repaired/sealed cracks should not be
considered a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Damaged, as defined above, is
greater than 3⁄4 inch, hinging/tilting, or
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missing section(s) that affect more than 5%
of the property’s walkways/steps.
Level 3: N/A
Comment:
Level 2: If the walkways or steps could
cause tripping or falling, you must manually
record this deficiency under ‘‘Hazards
(Health and Safety).’’
Level 3: At least 1 entry door or fire/
emergency door is not functioning or cannot
be locked because of damage to the frame,
header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Spalling (Walkways/Steps—Site)
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: A concrete or masonry
walkway is flaking, chipping, or crumbling,
possibly exposing underlying reinforcing
material. This is a defect if 5% or more of
the property’s walkways/steps are affected.
For example, 50 square feet out of 1,000
square feet.
Note: When observing traffic ability,
consider the capacity to support people on
foot, in wheelchairs, and using walkers.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: More than 5% of the walkway/
steps have small areas of spalling, 4 inches
by 4 inches or less.
Level 2: More than 5% of the walkway/
steps have large areas of spalling, larger than
4 inches by 4 inches, and this affects traffic
ability.
Level 3: N/A
Building Exterior Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ‘‘Building Exterior’’ are
as follows:
• Doors
• FHEO/Uniform Federal Accessibility
Standards (UFAS)
• Fire Escapes
• Foundations
• Lighting
• Roofs
• Walls
• Windows
Doors (Building Exterior)
Means of access to the interior of a
building or structure. Doors provide privacy,
control passage, maintain security, provide
fire and weather resistance. Includes entry to
maintenance areas, boiler and mechanical
rooms, electrical vaults, storage areas, etc.
Note: This does not include unit doors.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
• Damaged Hardware/Locks
• Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
• Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door
• Deteriorated/Missing Caulking/Seals
• Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
(Doors—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb,
threshold, lintel, or trim that is warped, split,
cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door’s
hardware (locks, hinges, etc.) record this
under ‘‘Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors—
Building Exterior).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning
or cannot be locked because of damage to the
frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
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Deficiency: The attachments to a door that
provide hinging, hanging, opening, closing,
or security are damaged or missing. These
include locks, panic hardware, overhead
door tracks, springs and pulleys, sliding door
tracks and hangers, and door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have locks, the
locks should work.
2. If a door is not designed to have locks,
do not record a deficiency for not having a
lock.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door does not function as it
should or cannot be locked because of
damage to the door’s hardware.
Level 3: One door’s panic hardware does
not function as it should.
—OR—
One entry door or fire/emergency door
does not function as it should or cannot be
locked because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Health and Safety: Hazards.’’
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
(Doors—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Damage includes holes,
peeling/cracking/no paint, broken glass, and
significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
- May affect either the surface protection or
the strength of the door.
-OR- May compromise building security.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door has a hole or holes with
a diameter ranging from 1⁄4 inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger
than 1 inch in diameter, significant peeling/
cracking/no paint, or rust that affects the
integrity of the door surface, or broken/
missing glass.
-OROne entry door or fire/emergency door has
a hole or holes with a diameter ranging from
1⁄4 inch to 1 inch.
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door (Doors—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see damage to surfaces,
including screens, glass, frames, hardware,
and door surfaces.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: At least 1 screen door or storm
door is damaged or is missing screens or
glass, shown by an empty frame or frames.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A security door is not functioning
or missing. (‘‘Missing’’ applies only if a
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security door that should be there is not
there.)
Blocked Egress/Ladders (Fire Escapes—
Building Exterior)
Deteriorated/Missing Caulking/Seals
(Doors—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Any part of the fire escape,
including ladders, is blocked, limiting or
restricting people from exiting.
Note: This includes fire escapes, fire
towers, and windows on the ground floor
that would be used in an emergency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Stored items or other barriers
restrict or block people from exiting.
Deficiency: Sealant and stripping designed
to resist weather or caulking is missing or
deteriorated.
Note: This applies only to entry doors that
were designed with seals. If a door shows
evidence that a seal was never part of its
design, do not record a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals/caulking is missing on
1 entry door, or they are so damaged that
they do not function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single missing building exterior
door.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
FHEO/UFAS (Building Exterior)
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Main Entrance Less Than 32″ Wide
• Obstructed or Missing Accessibility Route
Main Entrance Less Than 32″ Wide (FHEO/
UFAS—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Verify that the main entrance
for each building inspected is at least 32″
wide, measured from between the face of the
door and the opposite door stop.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The distance between the face of
the door and the opposite doorstop is not 32’’
wide.
Obstructed or Missing Accessibility Route
(FHEO/UFAS—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Verify that there is an
accessible route to and from the main ground
floor entrance for every building inspected.
Accessible routes include level surface to the
door, ramps, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is not an accessible route.
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Fire Escapes (Building Exterior)
All buildings must have acceptable fire
exits. This includes both stairway access
doors and external exits. These can include
external fire escapes, fire towers, operable
windows on the lower floors with easy access
to the ground or a back door opening onto
a porch with a stairway leading to the
ground.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Blocked Egress/Ladders
• Visibly Missing Components
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Visibly Missing Components (Fire Escapes—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see that any of the
components that affect the function of the
fire escape are missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that any of the functional
components that affect the function of the
fire escape, for example, 1 section of a ladder
or a railing, is missing.
Foundations (Building Exterior)
Lowest level structural wall or floor
responsible for transferring the building’s
load to the appropriate footings and soil.
Materials may include concrete, stone,
masonry and wood.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cracks/Gaps
• Spalling/Exposed Rebar
Cracks/Gaps (Foundations—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a split in the exterior
of the lowest structural wall.
Note: Cracks that show evidence of water
penetration should be evaluated here.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see cracks more than 1⁄8 inch
wide by 1⁄8 inch deep by 6 inches long.
-ORYou see large pieces, for example, many
bricks, that are separated or missing from the
wall or floor.
Level 3: You see large cracks or gaps more
than 3⁄8 inch wide by 3⁄8 inch deep by 6
inches long, a possible sign of a serious
structural problem.
-ORYou see cracks that are the full depth of the
wall, providing opportunity for water
penetration.
-ORYou see sections of the wall or floor that
are broken apart.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the problem, request an inspection
by a structural engineer.
Spalling/Exposed Rebar (Foundations—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A concrete or masonry wall is
flaking, chipping, or crumbling, possibly
exposing underlying reinforcing material
(rebar).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
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Level 2: You see obvious, large spalled
area(s) affecting 10% to 50% of any
foundation wall.
Level 3: You see obvious, significant
spalled area(s) affecting more than 50% of
any foundation wall.
-ORYou see spalling that exposes any
reinforcing material, such as rebar or other.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the problem, request an inspection
by a structural engineer.
Lighting (Building Exterior)
System to provide illumination of building
exteriors and surrounding grounds. Includes
fixtures, lamps, stanchions, poles, supports,
and electrical supply that are associated with
the building itself.
Broken Fixtures/Bulbs (Lighting—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: Includes broken fixtures and
bulbs. This deficiency covers all or part of
the lighting associated with the building,
including lighting attached to the building
used to light the site. If you see lighting that
is not directly attached to a specific building,
assign it to the nearest building.
Note: If a damaged fixture or bulb presents
a safety hazard, rate it as Level 3, and record
it manually as a health and safety concern.
This includes broken fixtures and bulbs that
could fall on pedestrians or could lead to
electrocution.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the lighting
fixtures and bulbs surveyed are broken or
missing, but this does not constitute an
obvious safety hazard.
Level 3: More than 50% of the lighting
fixtures and bulbs surveyed are broken or
missing.
-ORThe condition constitutes an obvious safety
hazard.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Roofs (Building Exterior)
Roof system consists of the structural deck,
weathering surface, flashing, parapet, and
drainage system. They may be flat or pitched.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Damaged/Clogged Drains
• Damaged Soffits/Fascia
• Damaged Vents
• Damaged/Torn Membrane/Missing Ballast
• Missing/Damaged Components from
Downspout/Gutter
• Missing/Damaged Shingles
• Ponding (Roofs)
Damaged/Clogged Drains (Roofs—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: The drainage system does not
effectively remove water. Generally, this
deficiency applies to flat roofs.
Note:
1. This does not include gutters and
downspouts. For these, see ‘‘Missing/
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Damaged Components from Downspout/
Gutter (Roofs—Building Exterior).’’
2. If there has been measurable
precipitation (1/10 inch or more) during the
previous 48 hours, consider the impact on
the extent of the ponding. Determine that
ponding has occurred only when there is
clear evidence of a persistent or longstanding problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see debris around or in a
drain, but no evidence of ponding.
-ORThe drain is damaged or partially clogged
with debris, but the drain system still
functions and you see no evidence of
ponding.
Level 3: The drain is so damaged or
clogged with debris that the drain no longer
functions, as shown by ponding.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, an inspection by a
roofing specialist is recommended.
Damaged Soffits/Fascia/Soffit Vents (Roofs—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see damage to soffit, fascia,
soffit vents, or associated components that
may provide opportunity for water
penetration or other damage from natural
elements.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to soffits, fascia
or soffit vents, but no obvious opportunities
for water penetration.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Soffits, fascia or soffit vents that
should be there are missing or so damaged
that water penetration is visibly possible.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, an inspection by a
roofing specialist is recommended.
Damaged Vents (Roofs—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Damaged vents on or extending
through the roof surface or components are
damaged or missing. Vents include ridge
vents, gable vents, plumbing vents, gas vents,
and others.
Note: This does not include exhaust fans
on the roof or soffit vents:
- Exhaust fans are covered under ‘‘Roof
Exhaust System (Building Systems).’’
- Soffit vents are covered under ‘‘Damaged
Soffits/Fascia/Soffit Vents (Roofs—
Building Exterior).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The vents are visibly damaged, but
do not present an obvious risk to promote
further roof damage.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Vents are missing or so visibly
damaged that further roof damage is possible.
Damaged/Torn Membrane/Missing Ballast
(Roofs—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: In the membrane or flashing,
you see damage that is a rip or tear, including
punctures, holes, cracks, blistering, and
separated seams. PVC, rubber, bitumen, and
similar materials are all subject to tears and
punctures.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
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Level 2: Ballast has shifted and no longer
functions as it should.
Level 3: You see signs of damage, as
defined above, to the membrane that may
result in water penetration.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition warrants further
inspection, inspection by a roofing specialist
is recommended.
Missing/Damaged Components from
Downspout/Gutter (Roofs—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see that components of the
drainage system, including gutters, leaders,
downspouts, splashblocks, and drain
openings, are missing or damaged.
Note: This does not include clogged drains.
For clogged drains, see ‘‘Damaged/Clogged
Drains (Roofs—Building Exterior).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Splashblocks are missing or
damaged.
Level 2: You see that drainage system
components are missing or damaged, but
there is no visible damage to the roof,
structure, exterior wall surface, or interior.
Level 3: You see that drainage system
components are missing or damaged, causing
visible damage to the roof, structure, exterior
wall surface, or interior.
Missing/Damaged Shingles (Roofs—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: Shingles are missing or
damaged, including cracking, warping,
cupping, and other deterioration.
Note: A square is 100 square feet.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Up to 1 square of surface material
or shingles is missing or damaged from roof
areas you survey.
Level 2: One to 2 squares of surface
material or shingles are missing or damaged
from surveyed roof areas.
Level 3: More than 2 squares of shingles
are missing or damaged from surveyed
roofing areas.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, an inspection by a
roofing specialist is recommended.
Ponding (Roofs—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see evidence of areas of
standing water, such as roof depression,
mold ring, or effervescence water ring.
Note: If there has been measurable
precipitation (1/10 inch or more) during the
previous 48 hours, consider the impact on
the extent of the ponding. Determine that
ponding has occurred only when there is
clear evidence of a persistent or longstanding problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see evidence of standing
water on the roof, causing potential or visible
damage to roof surface or underlying
materials.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt of the
severity of the condition, an inspection by a
roofing specialist is recommended.
Walls (Building Exterior)
The exterior enclosure of the building or
structure. Materials for construction include
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concrete, masonry block, brick, stone, wood,
glass block. Surface finish materials include
metal, wood, vinyl, stucco.
Note: This does not include foundation
walls.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cracks/Gaps
• Damaged Chimneys
• Missing/Damaged Caulking/Mortar
• Missing Pieces/Holes/Spalling
• Stained/Peeling/Needs Paint
Cracks/Gaps (Walls—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a split, separation, or
gap in the exterior walls.
Note: If you see both cracks/gaps and
missing pieces/holes/spalling, do not record
both. If you see both deficiencies, record only
1 of the 2.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see a crack or gap that is more
than 1⁄8 inch wide by 1⁄8 inch deep by 6
inches long.
-ORYou see pieces, for example, many bricks,
that are separated from the wall.
Level 3: You see a large crack or gap that
is more than 3⁄8 inch wide or deep and 6
inches long, possibly a sign of a serious
structural problem.
-ORYou see a crack or gap that is the full depth
of the wall, providing opportunity for water
penetration.
-ORYou see sections of the wall that are broken
apart.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt of the
severity of the condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Damaged Chimneys (Walls—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: The chimney, including the
part that extends above the roofline, has
separated from the wall or has cracks,
spalling, missing pieces or broken sections
(including chimney caps).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The chimney cap is either visibly
loose or damaged.
Level 2: The surface of the chimney shows
surface damage on more than 1 piece of wall,
for example, a few bricks or a section of
siding.
-ORThe surface of the chimney has holes that
affect an area larger than 4 inches by 4
inches.
Level 3: Part or all of the chimney has
visibly separated from the adjacent wall.
-ORThere are cracked or fallen pieces or
sections.
-ORThere is a risk that falling pieces could
create a safety hazard.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
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Missing/Damaged Caulking/Mortar (Walls—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Caulking designed to resist
weather or mortar is missing or deteriorated.
Note: This does not include caulking
relative to doors and windows; they are
covered in other areas. Address all other
caulking here.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Mortar is missing around a single
masonry unit.
-ORDeteriorated caulk is confined to less than
12 inches.
Level 2: Mortar is missing around more
than 1 contiguous masonry unit.
-ORYou see deteriorated caulking in an area
longer than 12 inches.
Level 3: N/A
Missing Pieces/Holes/Spalling (Walls—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see deterioration of the
exterior wall surface, including missing
pieces, holes, or spalling. This may also be
attributed to:
—Materials that are rotting.
-OR—A concrete, stucco, or masonry wall that is
flaking, chipping or crumbling.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see that there is a missing
piece, for example, a single brick or section
of siding, or a hole larger than 1⁄2; inch in
diameter.
-ORYou see deterioration that affects an area
up to 81⁄2; inches by 11 inches.
Level 3: You see deterioration that exposes
any reinforcing material (rebar).
-ORYou see more than 1 missing piece, for
example, a few bricks or a section of siding,
or holes that affect an area larger than 81⁄2;
inches by 11 inches.
-ORYou see a hole of any size that completely
penetrates the exterior wall.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Stained/Peeling/Needs Paint (Walls—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Paint is cracking, flaking, or
otherwise deteriorated. Water damage or
related problems have stained the paint.
Note: This does not include walls that are
not intended to have paint, such as most
brick walls, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You observe that less than 50% of
a single building exterior wall is affected.
Level 2: You observe that more than 50%
of a single building exterior wall is affected.
Level 3: N/A
Windows (Building Exterior)
Window systems provide light, security,
and exclusion of exterior noise, dust, heat,
and cold. Frame materials include wood,
aluminum, vinyl, etc.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
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•
•
•
•
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes
Damaged/Missing Screens
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/
Glazing Compound
• Peeling/Needs Paint
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes (Windows—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A glass pane is broken,
missing, or cracked.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A glass pane is cracked, but you
see no sharp edges.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A glass pane is missing or broken.
Damaged/Missing Screens (Windows—
Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Screens are punctured, torn,
otherwise damaged, or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Three or more screens in 1
building are punctured, torn, otherwise
damaged, or missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
(Windows—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Window sills, frames, sash
lintels, or trim are damaged by decay, rust,
rot, corrosion, or other deterioration.
Note: Damage does not include scratches
and cosmetic deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to sills, frames,
lintels, or trim, but nothing is missing. The
inside of the surrounding wall is not
exposed. You see no impact on either the
functioning of the window or weather
tightness.
Level 2: Sills, frames, lintels, or trim are
missing or damaged, exposing the inside of
the surrounding walls and compromising its
weather tightness.
Level 3: N/A
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound (Windows—Building Exterior)
Deficiency: The caulk, seals or glazing
compound that resists weather is missing or
deteriorated.
Note:
1. This also includes Thermopane or
insulated windows that have failed.
2. Caulk and seals are considered to be
deteriorated when 2 or more seals for any
window have lost their elasticity. (If the seals
crumble and flake when touched, they have
lost their elasticity.)
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Most of the window shows
missing or deteriorated caulk, seals and/or
glazing compound, but there is no evidence
of damage to the window or surrounding
structure.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There are missing or deteriorated
caulk, seals and/or glazing compound with
evidence of leaks or damage to the window
or surrounding structure.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Windows—Building
Exterior)
Deficiency:
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—Paint covering the window assembly or
trim is cracking, flaking, or otherwise
failing.
-OR—The window assembly or trim is not
painted or is exposed to the elements.
Note: This does not include windows that
were not intended to be painted.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see peeling paint or a window
that needs paint.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Building Systems Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ‘‘Building Systems’’ are
as follows:
• Domestic Water
• Electrical System
• Elevators
• Emergency Power
• Fire Protection
• HVAC
• Roof Exhaust System
• Sanitary System
Domestic Water (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that
provides potable water conditioning, heating,
and distribution, taking its source from
outside the building and terminating in
domestic plumbing fixtures. The system
typically consists of water conditioners
(filters and softeners), water heaters, transfer
and circulating pumps, strainers, connecting
piping, fittings, valves and supports.
Note: This does not include portion of
water supply that connects to the heating and
cooling system. Also, the delivery points of
the system such as sinks and faucets in units
or common areas.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• General Rust/Corrosion on Heater Chimney
• Leaking Central Water Supply
• Misaligned/Damaged Ventilation System
• Missing Pressure Relief Valve
• Water Supply Inoperable
General Rust/Corrosion on Heater Chimney
(Domestic Water—Building Systems)
Deficiency: The water heater chimney
shows evidence of flaking, discoloration,
pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The water heater chimney shows
evidence of flaking, discoloration, pitting, or
crevices that may create holes that could
allow toxic gases to leak from the chimney.
Leaking Central Water Supply (Domestic
Water—Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see water leaking from any
water system component, including valve
flanges, stems, bodies, hose bibs, or any
domestic water tank or its pipe or pipe
connections.
Note:
1. This includes both hot and cold water
systems, but does not include fixtures.
Address fixtures in dwelling units or
common areas.
2. Some pumps and valves are designed to
leak as a normal function, particularly in fire
pumps, water pressure pumps, and large
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circulating pumps, and should be considered
accordingly.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that water is leaking.
Comment:
Level 3: If leaking water is a health and
safety concern (i.e., is leaking on or near
electrical equipment), you must record it
manually under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health
and Safety).’’
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
(Domestic Water—Building Systems)
Deficiency: The ventilation system on a
gas-fired or oil-fired water heater is
misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment that
may cause improper or dangerous venting of
exhaust gases.
Missing Pressure Relief Valve (Domestic
Water—Building Systems)
Deficiency: The pressure relief valve on the
central hot water heating system is missing
or does not extend to the floor.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is no pressure relief valve.
-ORThe pressure relief valve does not extend
to the floor.
Water Supply Inoperable (Domestic Water—
Building Systems)
Deficiency: Water is not available.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is no running water in any
area of the building.
Electrical System (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that safely
provides electrical power throughout the
building. Including equipment that provides
control, protection, metering, and service.
Note: This does not include transformers or
metering that belongs to the providing utility;
equipment that is part of any emergency
power generating system; or terminal
equipment such as receptacles, switches, or
panel boards that are located in the units or
common areas.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Blocked Access/Improper Storage
• Burnt Breakers
• Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
• Frayed Wiring
• Missing Breakers/Fuses
• Missing Covers
Blocked Access/Improper Storage (Electrical
System—Building Systems)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of
sufficient size and weight that can delay or
prevent access to any panel board or main
power switch in an emergency.
Note: If the panel board or main power
switch is locked but authorized personnel
can quickly gain access, do not record it as
a deficiency.
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Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed items or items
of sufficient size and weight impede access
to the building system’s electrical panel
during an emergency.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Flammable Materials (Health and
Safety).’’
Burnt Breakers (Electrical System—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the
plastic body, or the plastic body is melted
and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue,
melted breakers, or arcing scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical
System—Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust
marks, or other signs of corrosion on
electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a
deficiency if it does not affect the condition
of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the
condition of the components that carry
current.
-ORAny stains or rust on the interior of
electrical enclosures.
-ORAny evidence of water leaks in the
enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical System—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose wires
that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for
wires not intended to be insulated, such as
grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose any
conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Missing Breakers/Fuses (Electrical System—
Building Systems)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel
board, or other electrical box containing
circuit breakers, you see an open circuit
breaker position that is not appropriately
blanked off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
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Missing Covers (Electrical System—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any
electrical device box, panel box, switch gear
box, or control panel with exposed electrical
connections.
Note: If the accompanying POA identifies
abandoned wiring: capped wires do not pose
a risk, therefore, do not record this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, which results
in exposed visible electrical connections.
Elevators (Building Systems)
Vertical conveyance system for moving
personnel, equipment, materials, household
goods, etc.
Inoperable Elevators (Elevators—Building
Systems)
Deficiency:
- The elevator will not ascend or descend.
-OR- The elevator door will not open or close.
-OR- The elevator door opens when the cab is not
there.
Note: Some elevators are designed/
programmed for special applications, for
example, stopping at every floor. For these
special cases, the elevator is serving its
designed purpose and is therefore not
deficient.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The elevator does not function at
all.
-ORThe elevator doors open when the cab is
not there.
Emergency Power (Building Systems)
Standby/backup equipment intended to
supply illumination or power or both,
(battery or generator set) during utility
outage.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Auxiliary Lighting Inoperable
• Run-Up Records/Documentation Not
Available
Auxiliary Lighting Inoperable (Emergency
Power—Building Systems)
Deficiency: Emergency lighting that
provides illumination during power outages
does not function as it should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Auxiliary lighting does not
function.
Run-Up Records/Documentation Not
Available (Emergency Power—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: Records are not properly
maintained or available.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Current records, from the last 12
months, are lost, but older records are
properly maintained and available.
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Fire Protection (Building Systems)
Building System designed to minimize the
effects of a fire. May include the following:
fire walls and doors, portable fire
extinguishers, and permanent sprinkler
systems.
Note: This does not include fire detection,
alarm, and control devices.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Missing Sprinkler Head
• Missing/Damaged/Expired Extinguishers
Missing Sprinkler Head (Fire Protection—
Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a sprinkler head,
or its components, connected to the central
fire protection system is either missing,
visibly disabled, painted over, blocked, or
capped.
Note: Components include test plugs,
drains, and test fittings.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any sprinkler head is missing,
visibly disabled, painted over, blocked, or
capped.
Missing/Damaged/Expired Extinguishers
(Fire Protection—Building Systems)
Deficiency: A portable fire extinguisher is
not where it should be, is damaged, or the
extinguisher certification has expired.
Note:
1. This includes missing/damaged fire
hoses where there are fire cabinets.
2. For buildings with multiple fire control
systems, standpipes, sprinklers, etc., 5% or
less of the extinguishers for a given building
may be missing, damaged, and/or expired. In
such cases do not record as a deficiency.
3. If the inspection tag is missing during
the REAC inspection, the accompanying POA
may produce proof that the fire extinguisher
certification is current. If you see such proof,
do not record a deficiency for a missing tag.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For a building with only 1 fire
control system, 5% or less of the fire
extinguishers are missing, damaged, or
expired.
Level 2: For all buildings, 5% to 10% of
the fire extinguishers are missing, damaged,
or expired.
Level 3: For all buildings, more than 10%
of the fire extinguishers are missing,
damaged, or expired.
-ORThere is not an operable/non-expired fire
extinguisher on each floor.
HVAC (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that
provides the ability to heat or cool the air
within the building. Includes equipment
such as boilers, burners, furnaces, fuel
supply, hot water and steam distribution,
centralized air conditioning systems, and
associated piping, filters, and equipment.
Also includes air handling equipment and
associated ventilation ducting.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Boiler/Pump/Cooling System Leaks
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• Fuel Supply Leaks
• Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
• General Rust/Corrosion
Boiler/Pump/Cooling System Leaks (HVAC—
Building Systems)
Deficiency: Coolant, water or steam is
escaping from unit casing and/or pump
packing/system piping.
Note:
1. This does not include fuel supply leaks.
See ‘‘Fuel Supply Leaks (HVAC—Building
Systems).’’
2. Do not include steam escaping from
pressure relief valves.
3. If water containment and curb is
provided, do not record as deficiency if there
is standing water.
4. Condensation or sweating is not to be
confused with leaking.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Coolant, water, or steam is
escaping from unit casing and/or pump
packing/system piping.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Coolant, water, or steam is leaking
from unit casing and/or pump packing/
system piping to the point that the system or
pumps should be shut down.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Fuel Supply Leaks (HVAC—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: There is evidence that fuel is
escaping from a fuel storage tank or fuel line.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any amount of fuel is leaking from
the supply tank or piping.
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC—Building
Systems)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated
piping and ducting shows evidence of
flaking, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see significant formations of
metal oxides, significant flaking,
discoloration, or the development of a
noticeable pit or crevice.
Level 3: The equipment or piping does not
function because of this condition.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it under
‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
(HVAC—Building Systems)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas
fired, oil fired, or coal unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
[Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a misalignment of an
exhaust system on a gas fired, oil fired or coal
unit that causes improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Roof Exhaust System (Building Systems)
The system used to primarily exhaust stale
air from the building. Primarily from the
kitchen and bathroom areas.
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Note: This does not include elements
related to the HVAC system.
Roof Exhaust Fans Inoperable (Roof Exhaust
System—Building Systems)
Deficiency: The ventilation system/roof
exhaust fans to exhaust air from building
areas, such as kitchen, bathroom, etc., does
not function.
Note:
1. The inspector shall determine if the fans
are event activated, for example, fire, timer,
etc. If so, there is no deficiency.
2. ‘‘Missing’’ only refers to the case where
there were fans to begin with. If a fan was
not included in the design, do not record a
deficiency for not having one.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The roof exhaust fan unit does not
function, is damaged to the point of being
inoperable, or is missing.
Sanitary System (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that
provides for the disposal of waste products
with discharge to the local sewage system.
Can include sources such as domestic
plumbing fixtures, floor drains, and other
area drains. Consists of floor drains and
traps, collection sumps, sewage ejectors,
sewage pumps, collection piping, fittings,
valves and supports.
Note: This does not include site storm
drainage. Refer to ‘‘Storm Drainage (Site).’’
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Broken/Leaking/Clogged Pipes or Drains
(Sanitary System)
• Missing Drain/Cleanout/Manhole Covers
Broken/Leaking/Clogged Pipes or Drains
(Sanitary System—Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a drain is clogged
or that components of the sanitary system are
leaking.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see active leaks in or around
the system components.
-ORYou see evidence of standing water,
puddles, or ponding, a sign of leaks or
clogged drains.
Missing Drain/Cleanout/Manhole Covers
(Sanitary System—Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a protective cover
is missing.
Note: This also includes covers you see
while walking the site.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A protective cover is missing.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Air Quality (Health and Safety).’’
Common Areas Inspectable Items
The locations of items to inspect for
‘‘Common Areas’’ are as follows:
• Basement/Garage/Carport.
—Basement: the lowest habitable story of a
building, usually below ground level.
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—Garage: a building or wing of a building in
which to park a car.
—Carport: a roof projecting from the side of
a building or free standing, used to shelter
an automobile.
• Closet/Utility/Mechanical—an enclosed
room or closet housing machines and/or
equipment that service the building.
• Community Room—meeting place used by
members of a community for social,
cultural, or recreational purposes.
• Day Care—place that provides daytime
supervision, training, and medical services
for preschool children or for the elderly.
• Halls/Corridors/Stairs—passageway in a
building, which organizes its rooms,
apartments and staircases.
• Kitchen—a place where food is cooked or
prepared; the facilities and equipment used
in preparing and serving food.
• Laundry Room—place where soiled clothes
and linens are washed and/or dried.
• Lobby—a foyer, hall, or waiting room at or
near the entrance of a building.
• Office—a place in which business,
professional, or clerical activities are
conducted.
• Other community spaces.
• Patio/Porch/Balcony—covered entrance to
a building, usually with a separate roof or
a recreation area that adjoins common
areas.
• Pools and Related Structures—swimming
pools and related structures including
fencing, etc.
• Restrooms/Pool Structures—a room
equipped with a water closet or toilet, tub
and/or shower, sink, cabinet(s) and/or
closet; this includes locker rooms or
bathhouses associated with swimming
pools.
• Storage—a room in which items are kept
for future use.
• Trash Collection Areas—collection areas
for trash/garbage common pick-up.
The items within locations to be inspected
for ‘‘Common Areas’’ are listed below.
Baluster/Side Railings—Damaged (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The baluster or side railing on
the exterior improvement is loose, damaged
or missing, limiting the safe use of this area.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The baluster or side rails enclosing
the area are loose, damaged, or missing,
limiting the safe use of this area.
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Cabinets—Missing/Damaged (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: Cabinets are missing or the
laminate is separating. This includes cases,
boxes, or pieces of furniture with drawers,
shelves, or doors, primarily used for storage,
mounted on walls or floors.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see that 10% to 50% of the
cabinets, doors, or shelves are missing or the
laminate is separating.
Level 3: You see that more than 50% of the
cabinets, doors, or shelves are missing or the
laminate is separating.
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Call-for-Aid—Inoperable (Common Areas)
System to summon help. May be visual,
audible, or both. May be activated manually
or automatically when pre-programmed
conditions are met.
Deficiency: The system does not function
as it should.
Note: Inspector should verify that the Callfor-Aid only alerts local entities (on-site)
prior to testing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The system does not function as
it should.
Ceiling (Common Areas)
The visible overhead structure lining the
inside of a room or area.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
• Peeling/Needs Paint
Bulging/Buckling (Ceiling—Common Areas)
Deficiency: A ceiling is bowed, deflected,
sagging, or is no longer aligned horizontally
to the extent that ceiling failure is possible.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or a lack of horizontal alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have
concerns about the possibility of failure,
inform the property representative that an
inspection by a professional engineer is
suggested.
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks (Ceiling—
Common Areas)
Deficiency:
—The ceiling surface has punctures that may
or may not penetrate completely.
-OR—Panels or tiles are missing or damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small holes that are no
larger than a sheet of paper, 81⁄2 inches by 11
inches.
-ORNo hole or crack penetrates the area above.
-ORYou see that no more than 3 tiles or panels
are missing.
-ORYou see a crack more than 1⁄8 inch wide
and 11 inches long.
Level 2: You see a hole that is larger than
a sheet of paper, 81⁄2 inches by 11 inches, but
it does not penetrate the area above. You
cannot see through it.
-ORYou see that more than 3 tiles or panels are
missing.
Level 3: You see a hole or crack that
penetrates the area above. You can see
through it.
Comments:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
If you as an inspector have concerns about
the possibility of failure, inform the property
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representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Ceiling—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure, or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 ceiling, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (more than 1 square foot but
less than 4 square feet). You may or may not
see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 ceiling, you estimate that a
very large area (more than 1 square foot) of
its surface, has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold or mildew. The ceiling
surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Ceiling—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: You see paint that is peeling,
cracking, flaking or otherwise deteriorated on
ceilings in common areas.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see paint that is peeling,
cracking, flaking or otherwise deteriorated on
1 to 4 ceilings in common areas.
Level 2: You see more than 4 ceilings in
common areas that have paint that is peeling,
cracking, flaking or otherwise deteriorated, or
need paint.
Level 3: N/A
Chutes Damaged/Missing Components
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: The structure that directs
garbage into the appropriate storage container
is missing or damaged. This includes the
chute, chute door, and other components.
Note: Do not evaluate the door that leads
to the trash room.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Garbage has backed up into
chutes, because the collection structure is
missing or broken. Compactors or
components, chute, chute door, and other
components, have failed.
Level 3: N/A
Countertops—Missing/Damaged (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: A flat work surface in a kitchen
often integral to lower cabinet space is
missing or deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% or more of the countertop
working surface is missing, deteriorated, or
damaged below the laminate and is not a
sanitary surface on which to prepare food.
Level 3: N/A
Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal—Inoperable
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: A dishwasher or garbage
disposal, if provided, does not function.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The dishwasher or garbage
disposal does not function.
Level 3: N/A
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Doors (Common Areas)
Means of access to the interior of a unit.
Doors provide privacy and security, control
passage, provide fire and weather resistance.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
• Damaged Hardware/Locks
• Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door
• Damaged Surface—(Holes/Paint/Rust/
Glass)
• Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
• Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
(Doors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb,
threshold, lintel, or trim that is warped, split,
cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door’s
hardware, (locks, hinges, etc.) record this
under ‘‘Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors—
Common Areas).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning
or cannot be locked because of damage to the
frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Level 3: At least 1 restroom door, entry
door, or fire is not functioning or cannot be
locked because of damage to the frame,
header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The attachments to a door that
provide hinging, hanging, opening, closing,
or security are damaged or missing. These
include locks, panic hardware, overhead
door tracks, springs and pulleys, sliding door
tracks and hangers, and door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have a lock, the
lock should work. If a door is designed
without locks, do not record it as a
deficiency.
2. If a lock has been removed from an
interior door, do not record this as a
deficiency.
3. 504 units have had locks removed.
Before you start the inspection, you should
be given a list of units relative to the UFAS.
Do not record these missing locks as
deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A closet door does not function as
it should because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
-ORA closet door that requires locking cannot
be locked because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
Level 2: A door does not function as it
should because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
-ORA door that requires locking cannot be
locked because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
Level 3: A restroom door, entry door, or
fire door does not function as it should
because of damage to the door’s hardware.
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-ORA restroom door, entry door, or fire door
that requires locking cannot be locked
because of damage to the door’s hardware.
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door (Doors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: Visible damage to surfaces
including screens, glass, frames, hardware,
and door surface.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: One or more screen/storm doors
has damage or door is missing screens/glass
as evidenced by empty frame.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single security door is
inoperable or missing. (Missing only applies
to those situations where a security door is
supposed to be present but is observed not
to be there.)
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
(Doors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: This includes holes, peeling/
cracking/no paint, broken glass, and
significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
—May affect either the surface protection or
the strength of the door.
-OR—May compromise building security.
Note: If the door is a restroom, fire door,
or entry door, this is a Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door has a hole or holes with
a diameter ranging from @ inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger
than 1 inch in diameter, significant peeling/
cracking/no paint, rust that affects the
integrity of the door surface, or broken/
missing glass.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
(Doors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The seals and stripping around
the entry door(s) to resist weather and fire are
damaged or missing.
Note: This defect applies only to entry
doors that were designed with seals. If a door
shows evidence that a seal was never part of
its design, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals are missing on 1 entry
door, or they are so damaged that they do not
function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Note: If a restroom door, entry door, or fire
door, record this as a Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A door is missing, but it is not a
restroom door, entry door, or fire door.
Level 2: Two doors or up to 50% of the
doors are missing, but they are not restroom
doors, entry doors, or fire doors, and the
condition presents no hazard.
Level 3: A restroom door, entry door, or
fire door is missing.
-OR-
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You estimate that more than 50% of the
doors are missing.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Dryer Vent—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: There is no adequate way to
vent heat and lint to the outside.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The dryer vent is missing or you
see that it is not functioning because it is
blocked. Dryer exhaust is not effectively
vented to the outside.
Electrical (Common Areas)
Portion of the common area that safely
provides electrical power throughout the
building. Including equipment that provides
control, protection, metering, and service.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Blocked Access to Electrical Panel
• Burnt Breakers
• Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
• Frayed Wiring
• Missing Breakers
• Missing Covers
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel
(Electrical—Common Areas)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of
sufficient size and weight can delay or
prevent access to any panel board switch in
an emergency.
Note: If you see an item that is easy to
remove, like a picture, do not note this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed items or items
of sufficient size and weight can impede
access to the unit’s electrical panel during an
emergency.
Burnt Breakers (Electrical—Common Areas)
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the
plastic body, or the plastic body is melted
and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue,
melted breakers, or arcing scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust
marks, or other signs of corrosion on
electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a
deficiency if it does not affect the condition
of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the
condition of the components that carry
current.
-ORAny stains or rust on the interior of
electrical enclosures.
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-ORAny evidence of water leaks in the
enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose wires
that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for
wires not intended to be insulated, such as
grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose any
conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Missing Breakers (Electrical—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel
board, or other electrical box that contains
circuit breakers/fuses, you see an open
circuit breaker position that is not
appropriately blanked-off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers (Electrical—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any
electrical device box, panel box, switch gear
box, control panel, etc., with exposed
electrical connections.
Note: If an accompanying POA has
identified abandoned wiring, capped wires
do not pose a risk. Do not record this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, and you see
exposed electrical connections.
FHEO/UFAS (Common Areas)
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Multi-Story Building Hallways/Common
Areas Less Than 32’’ Wide
• Routes Obstructed or Inaccessible to
Wheelchair
Multi-Story Building Hallways/Common
Areas Less Than 36’’ Wide (FHEO/UFAS—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: For multi-story buildings that
are inspected, verify that the interior
hallways to the inspected units and common
areas are at least 36’’ wide.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The interior hallways are less than
36’’ wide.
Routes Obstructed or Inaccessible to
Wheelchair (FHEO/UFAS—Common Areas)
Deficiency: Verify that at least 1 route to all
outside common areas is accessible to
wheelchairs (i.e., there are curb cuts, ramps,
and sufficient (36’’) width).
Level of Deficiency:
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Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The common areas are either
obstructed or are not accessible by
wheelchairs.
Floors (Common Areas)
The visible horizontal surface system
within a room or area underfoot; the
horizontal division between 2 stories of a
structure.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
• Peeling/Needs Paint
• Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor
• Soft Floor Covering Damaged
Bulging/Buckling (Floors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The floor is bowed, deflected,
sagging, or is no longer aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or a problem with alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles (Floors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see that hard flooring,
terrazo, hardwood, ceramic tile, sheet vinyl,
vinyl tiles, or other similar flooring material,
is missing a section(s), is damaged, or
presents a tripping or cutting hazard,
associated with but not limited to, holes or
delamination.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For any single floor surface, you
see deficiencies in areas of the floor surface.
You estimate that 5% to 10% of the floor is
affected, and there are no safety problems.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of
any single floor surface is affected, but there
are no safety problems.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50%
of any single floor surface is affected by Level
1 deficiencies.
-ORThe condition causes a safety problem.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Floors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: On 1 floor, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 3: On 1 floor, you estimate that a
very large area (more than 1 square foot) of
its surface, has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold, or mildew. The floor
surface may have failed.
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Peeling/Needs Paint (Floors—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: For floors that are painted, you
see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking, or
otherwise deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The area affected is more than 1
square foot, but less than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The area affected is more than 4
square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor (Floors—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The subfloor has decayed or is
decaying.
Note:
1. If there is any doubt, apply weight to
detect noticeable deflection.
2. This type of defect typically occurs in
kitchens and bathrooms.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Evidence of small areas of rot, 1
to 4 square feet.
Level 3: Evidence of large areas of rot, more
than 4 square feet.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have
concerns about health and safety, inform the
property representative that an inspection by
a professional engineer is suggested.
Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged
(Floors—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see damaged and/or
missing soft floor covering.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You estimate that 5% to 10% of
any single floor covering has stains, surface
burns, shallow cuts, small holes, tears, loose
areas, or exposed seams. The covering is fully
functional, and there is no safety hazard.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of
any single floor covering has stains, surface
burns, shallow cuts, small holes, tears, loose
areas, or exposed seams. The covering is fully
functional, and there is no safety hazard.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50%
of any single floor covering is damaged.
-ORDamage to the soft floor covering exposes
the underlying material.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
GFI—Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The GFI does not function.
Note: To determine whether the GFI is
functioning, you must press the self-test
button in the GFI unit.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The GFI does not function.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it under
‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Graffiti (Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see crude inscriptions or
drawings scratched, painted, or sprayed on
an interior building surface at 1 location. An
interior surface includes but is not limited to
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walls, doors, ceiling, and floors. A location
is defined as 1 general area in a building such
as 1 hallway in a 10 story building or 1 floor
of a stairwell in a 5 story building.
Note: There is a difference between art
forms and graffiti. If there by design in
accordance with proper authorization, do not
consider full wall murals and other art forms
as graffiti.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see graffiti on an interior
surface at 1 location in the same building.
Level 2: You see graffiti at 2 to 5 locations
on interior surfaces in the same building.
Level 3: You see graffiti in 6 or more
locations on interior surfaces in the same
building.
HVAC (Common Areas)
System to provide heating, cooling and
ventilation to the unit. This does not include
building heating or cooling system
deficiencies such as boilers, chillers,
circulating pumps, distribution lines, fuel
supply, etc., or occupant owned or supplied
heating sources.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged
• General Rust/Corrosion
• Inoperable
• Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
• Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged (HVAC—Common Areas)
Deficiency: A cover on the convection/
radiant heat system is missing or damaged,
which could cause a burn or related injury.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: At least 1 cover is missing or
substantially damaged, allowing contact with
heating/surface elements or associated fans.
Comment:
Level 3: When the system is operational
during an inspection and you see a Level 3
deficiency, a real-time hazard exists, you
must record it manually under ‘‘Hazards
(Health and Safety).’’
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated
piping/ducting shows evidence of flaking,
oxidation, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see superficial surface rust.
Level 2: You see significant formations of
metal oxides, flaking, or discoloration, or a
pit or crevice.
Level 3: Because of this condition, the
equipment or piping does not function.
Inoperable (HVAC—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The heating, cooling, or
ventilation system does not function.
Note: If the HVAC system does not operate
because of seasonal conditions, do not record
this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The HVAC system does not
function; it does not provide the heating or
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cooling it should. The system does not
respond when the controls are engaged.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
(HVAC—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas,
oil fired, or coal unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an
exhaust system on a gas fired, oil fired or coal
unit that may cause improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking (HVAC—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The HVAC distribution
components, including fans, are the source of
unusual vibrations, leaks, or abnormal noise.
Examples may include, but are not limited to,
screeching, squealing, banging, shaking, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The HVAC system shows signs of
abnormal vibrations, other noise, or leaks
when engaged. The system still provides
enough heating or cooling to maintain a
minimum temperature range in the major
living areas.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Lavatory Sink—Damaged/Missing (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: A sink, faucet, or accessories
are missing, damaged, or not functioning.
Note: If you see that a stopper is missing
from a common area, do not record this as
a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see extensive discoloration or
cracks in over 50% of the basin, but the sink
can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink or associated hardware
have failed or are missing. The sink cannot
be used.
Lighting—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
Fixture (Common Areas)
Deficiency: Lighting fixture is damaged,
not functional, or missing.
Note: To conserve energy during daytime
or in low-use areas, many facilities use
alternate lights that are triggered by either a
sensor or a timer. If you see these kinds of
lights, ask the accompanying POA to verify
that these conservation systems are in place.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the permanent
lighting fixtures are missing or damaged to
the point where they do not function. This
results in inadequate lighting in the common
area(s).
Level 3: More than 50% of the permanent
lighting fixtures are missing or damaged to
the point where they do not function. This
results in inadequate lighting in the common
area(s).
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Mailboxes—Missing/Damaged (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The U.S. Postal Service
resident/unit mailbox is either missing or so
damaged that it does not function properly.
Note: Do not inspect commercial deposit
boxes, FedEx, UPS, etc., or U.S. Postal
Service ‘‘blue boxes.’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The U.S. Postal Service resident/
unit mailbox cannot be locked.
-ORThe U.S. Postal Service resident/unit
mailbox is missing.
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates—Missing/
Broken (Common Areas)
The receptacle connected to a power
supply or method to control the flow of
electricity. Included are 2 and 3 prong
outlets, ground fault interrupters, pull cords,
2 and 3 pole switches and dimmer switches.
Deficiency:
—The flush plate that covers the opening
around a switch or outlet is damaged or
missing.
-OR—A switch or outlet is missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An outlet or switch has a broken
cover plate over a junction box, but it does
not result in exposed wiring.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: An outlet or switch is missing.
-ORA cover plate is missing or broken,
resulting in exposed wiring.
Pedestrian/Wheelchair Ramp (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: A pedestrian walkway or
wheelchair ramp is damaged or does not
function as it should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A walkway or ramp shows signs
of deterioration and requires repair, but it can
be used by people on foot, in wheelchairs, or
using walkers.
Level 3: A walkway or ramp is damaged
and cannot be used by people on foot, in
wheelchairs, or using walkers.
Plumbing (Common Areas)
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Clogged Drains
• Leaking Faucet/Pipes
Clogged Drains (Plumbing—Common Areas)
Deficiency: Water does not drain
adequately from the shower, sink, tub, or
basin.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Water does not drain freely, but
the fixture can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The drain is completely clogged or
has suffered extensive deterioration. The
fixture cannot be used.
Leaking Faucet/Pipes (Plumbing—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: You see that the sink faucet or
piping is leaking.
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Level 3: If you think this condition is a
health and safety concern, record it under
‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a leak or drip that is
contained by the basin and pipes, and the
faucet can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a steady leak that is
adversely affecting the surrounding area.
-ORThe faucet/pipe cannot be used.
Pools and Related Structures (Common
Areas)
This inspectable item has the following
deficiencies:
• Damaged/Not Intact Fencing/Gates(s)
• Inoperable
Damaged/Not Intact Fencing/Gate(s) (Pools
and Related Structures—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see that fencing and/or a
gate(s) around the swimming pool is
damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any damage that could
compromise the integrity of the fence and/or
gate(s).
Inoperable (Pools and Related Structures—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: The pool was not in operation
during the inspection.
Note: If the pool is open for the season, it
should be operational. If the pool is closed
for the season, do not record this is a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The pool is not operational.
-ORYou see unsafe conditions at the pool/pool
area that could cause an injury.
Range Hood/Exhaust Fans—Excessive
Grease/Inoperable (Common Areas)
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Deficiency: The apparatus that draws out
cooking exhaust does not function as it
should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An accumulation of dirt, grease, or
other barrier noticeably reduces the free
passage of air.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The exhaust fan does not function.
-ORYou estimate that the flue may be
completely blocked.
Range/Stove—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: The unit is missing or
damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The operation of doors or drawers
is impeded, but the stove is functioning. On
gas ranges, flames are not distributed equally.
The pilot light is out on 1 or more burners.
Level 2: One burner is not functioning.
Level 3: The unit is missing.
-ORTwo or more burners are not functioning.
-ORThe oven is not functioning.
Comment:
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Refrigerator—Damaged/Inoperable (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The refrigerator is missing or
does not cool adequately to store food safely.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The refrigerator has an excessive
accumulation of ice.
-ORThe seals around the doors are
deteriorated.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The refrigerator is missing.
-ORThe refrigerator does not cool adequately
for the safe storage of food.
Restroom Cabinet—Damaged/Missing
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see damaged or missing
cabinets, vanity tops, drawers, shelves, doors,
medicine cabinets, or vanities.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damaged or missing
cabinets, vanity tops, drawers, shelves, doors,
medicine cabinets or vanities that are not
functioning as they should for storage or their
intended purpose.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Shower/Tub—Damaged/Missing (Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The shower, tub, or
components are damaged or missing.
Note: A missing stopper in a common area
is not a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The shower or tub can be used, but
you see cracks or extensive discoloration in
more than 50% of the basin.
Level 3: The shower or tub cannot be used
for any reason. The shower, tub, faucets,
drains, or associated hardware is missing or
has failed.
Sink—Missing/Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A sink, faucet, or accessories
are missing, damaged, or not functioning.
Note: If a stopper is missing, do not record
it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see extensive discoloration or
cracks in 50% or more of the basin, but the
sink and hardware can still be used to
prepare food.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink or hardware is either
missing or not functioning.
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable
(Common Areas)
Sensor to detect the presence of smoke and
activate an alarm. May be battery operated or
hard-wired to electrical system. May provide
visual signal, audible signal, or both.
Deficiency:
—A smoke detector will not activate.
-OR—A hardwired smoke detector is missing.
Note:
1. If a smoke detector is there, it must
function as it should.
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2. ‘‘Missing’’ means that evidence suggests
that unauthorized personnel have removed a
hardwired smoke detector that should be
there.
3. If 2 or more smoke detectors are on the
same level in visible proximity, at least 1 of
the smoke detectors must function as it
should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single smoke detector is missing
or does not function as it should.
Stairs/Hand Railings Damaged (Common
Areas)
Series of 4 or more steps or flights of steps
joined by landings connecting levels of a
common area. Includes supports, frame,
treads, handrails.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps
• Broken/Missing Hand Railing
Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps (Stairs/Hand
Railings Damaged—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The horizontal tread or stair
surface is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A step is broken or missing.
Broken/Missing Hand Railing (Stairs/Hand
Railings Damaged—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The handrail is damaged or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The handrail for 4 or more stairs
is either missing, damaged, loose, or
otherwise unusable.
Ventilation/Exhaust System—Inoperable
(Common Areas)
Deficiency: The apparatus used to exhaust
air has failed.
Note: If there was never a bathroom fan, do
not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An exhaust fan is not functioning.
-ORA bathroom window cannot be opened.
Level 3: N/A
Walls (Common Areas)
The enclosures of units and rooms.
Materials for construction include concrete,
masonry block, brick, wood, glass block,
plaster, sheet-rock. Surface finish materials
include paint or wall coverings.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Damaged
• Damaged/Deteriorated Trim
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
• Peeling/Needs Paint
Bulging/Buckling (Walls—Common Areas)
Deficiency: A wall is bowed, deflected,
sagging, or is no longer aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
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Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or a lack of horizontal alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Damaged (Walls—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see cracks and/or
punctures in the wall surface that may or
may not penetrate completely. Panels or tiles
may be missing or damaged.
Note:
1. This does not include small holes from
hanging pictures, etc.
2. Control joints/construction joints should
not be recorded as a deficiency.
3. Cracks that have been repaired or sealed
properly should not be considered a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: In a wall, you find a hole, crack,
missing tile or panel, or other damage that is
between 1 square inch and 81⁄2 inches by 11
inches and does not penetrate the adjoining
room/area. You cannot see through it to the
adjoining area.
-ORYou find a crack greater than 1/8 inch wide
and at least 11 inches long.
Level 2: In a wall, you find a hole, missing
tile or panel, or other damage that is larger
than a sheet of paper, 81⁄2 inches by 11
inches, and does not penetrate the adjoining
room. You cannot see through it to the
adjoining area.
Level 3: You find a hole of any size that
penetrates an adjoining room. You can see
through the hole.
-ORTwo or more walls have Level 2 holes.
Comments:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
If you as an inspector have concerns about
the possibility of failure, inform the property
representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Walls—Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 wall, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 wall, you estimate that a very
large area (more than 1 square foot) of its
surface has been substantially saturated or
damaged by mold, or mildew. The wall
surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Walls—Common Areas)
Deficiency: Paint is peeling, cracking,
flaking, or otherwise deteriorated.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you
should be given a list of UFAS buildings/
units. For the buildings/items on this list, do
not record as deficiencies any superficial
surface/paint damage caused by wheelchairs,
walkers, or medical devices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The affected area affected is 1 to
4 square feet on 2 or more walls.
Level 2: The affected area is more than 4
square feet on any wall or walls.
Level 3: N/A
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Damaged/Deteriorated Trim (Walls—
Common Areas)
Water Closet/Toilet—Damaged/Clogged/
Missing (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A water closet/toilet is
damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Fixture elements, seat, flush
handle, cover etc., are missing or damaged.
-ORThe toilet seat is cracked, or the hinge is
broken.
Level 3: The bowl is fractured or broken
and cannot retain water.
-ORThe water closet/toilet is missing.
-ORThere is a hazardous condition.
-ORThe water closet/toilet cannot be flushed,
because of obstruction or another defect.
Deficiency: Cove molding, chair rail, base
molding, or other decorative trim is damaged
or has decayed.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you
should be given a list of UFAS buildings/
units. For the buildings/units on this list, do
not record superficial surface/paint damage
caused by wheelchairs, walkers, or medical
devices as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small areas of
deterioration in the trim surfaces, and you
estimate that 5% to 10% of the wall area is
affected.
Level 2: You see large areas of deterioration
in the trim surfaces, and you estimate that
10% to 50% of the wall area is affected.
Level 3: You see significant areas of
deterioration in the wall surfaces, and you
estimate that more than 50% of the wall area
is affected.
Windows (Common Areas)
Window systems provide light, security,
and exclusion of exterior noise, glare, dust,
heat, and cold. Frame materials include
wood, aluminum, and vinyl.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes
• Damaged/Missing Screens
• Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
• Inoperable/Not Lockable
• Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/
Glazing Compound
• Peeling/Needs Paint
• Security Bars Prevent Egress
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes (Windows—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: A glass pane is cracked,
broken, or missing from the window sash.
Level of Deficiency:
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Level 1: You see a cracked window pane.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that a glass pane is broken
or missing from the window sash.
Damaged/Missing Screens (Windows—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: Screens are punctured, torn,
otherwise damaged, or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: One or more screen(s) in a
common area are punctured, torn, otherwise
damaged, or missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
(Windows—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The sill, frames, sash lintels or
trim are damaged by decay, rust, rot,
corrosion, or other deterioration.
Note: Damage does not include scratches
and cosmetic deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to sills, frames,
sash lintels or trim, but nothing is missing.
The inside of the surrounding wall is not
exposed. You see no impact on either the
operation or functioning of the window or on
its weather tightness.
Level 2: Sills, frames, sash lintels, or trim
are missing or damaged enough to expose the
inside of the surrounding walls and
compromise its weather tightness.
Level 3: N/A
Inoperable/Not Lockable (Windows—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: A window cannot be opened or
closed because of damage to the frame, faulty
hardware, or another cause.
Note:
1. If a window is not designed to lock, do
not record this as a deficiency.
2. Windows that are accessible from the
outside, for example, a ground level window,
must be lockable.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A window is not functioning, but
can be secured. Other windows in the
immediate area are functioning.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A window is not functioning and
cannot be secured. In the immediate area,
there are no other windows that are
functioning properly.
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound (Windows—Common Areas)
Deficiency: The caulk, seals or glazing
compound that resists weather is missing or
deteriorated.
Note:
1. This includes Thermopane and
insulated windows that have failed.
2. Caulk and seals are considered to be
deteriorated when 2 or more seals for any
window have lost their elasticity. (If the seals
crumble and flake when touched, they have
lost their elasticity.)
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Most of the window shows
missing or deteriorated caulk, seals and/or
glazing compound, but there is no evidence
of damage to the window or surrounding
structure.
Level 2: N/A
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Level 3: There are missing or deteriorated
caulk, seals, and/or glazing compound with
Evidence of leaks or damage to the window
or surrounding structure.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Windows—Common
Areas)
Deficiency: Paint covering the window
assembly or trim is peeling, cracking, flaking,
or otherwise failing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see paint that is peeling,
cracking, flaking or otherwise failing, or a
window that needs paint.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Security Bars Prevent Egress (Windows—
Common Areas)
Deficiency: Exiting or egress is severely
limited or impossible because security bars
are damaged or improperly constructed or
installed. Security bars that are designed to
open should open. If they do not open,
record a deficiency.
Note: Inspector should verify that the
security bars if opened do not activate an
alarm that would alarm or summon outside
authorities (police, etc.).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Exiting or egress is severely
limited or impossible because security bars
are damaged, improperly constructed/
installed, or security bars that are designed
to open cannot be readily opened.
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Unit Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ‘‘Unit’’ are as follows:
• Bathroom
• 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
Bathroom (Unit)
A room equipped with a water closet or
toilet, tub and/or shower, sink, cabinet(s)
and/or closet. This inspectable item can have
the following deficiencies:
• Bathroom Cabinets—Damaged/Missing
• Lavatory Sink—Damaged/Missing
• Plumbing—Clogged Drains
• Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes
• Shower/Tub—Damaged/Missing
• Ventilation/Exhaust System—Inoperable
• Water Closet/Toilet—Damaged/Clogged/
Missing
Bathroom Cabinets—Damaged/Missing
(Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: You see damaged or missing
cabinets, vanity tops, drawers, shelves, doors,
medicine cabinets, or vanities.
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Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damaged or missing
cabinets, vanity tops, drawers, shelves, doors,
medicine cabinets or vanities that are not
functioning as they should for storage or their
intended purpose.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Lavatory Sink—Damaged/Missing
(Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: A basin (sink) is missing or
shows signs of deterioration or distress.
Note: If you see the stopper near the sink
area, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The sink can be used, but you see
either of these:
—There are cracks or extensive discoloration
in more than 50% of the basin;
-OR- A stopper is missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink cannot be used, because
the sink or associated hardware is missing or
has failed.
Plumbing—Clogged Drains (Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: Water does not drain
adequately in the shower, tub, or basin (sink).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Water does not drain freely, but
the fixtures can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The fixtures are not usable,
because the drain is completely clogged or
shows extensive deterioration.
Plumbing—Leaking Faucet/Pipes
(Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: You see that a basin, shower,
water closet, tub faucet, or associated pipes
are leaking water.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a leak or drip that is
contained by the basin, and the faucet or pipe
can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a steady leak that is
adversely affecting the area around it.
-ORThe faucet or pipe cannot be used.
Shower/Tub—Damaged/Missing
(Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: The shower, tub, or
components are damaged or missing. This
includes associated hardware, such as grab
bars, shower doors, etc.
Note:
1. This does not include leaking faucets
and pipes.
2. If you see the stopper near the shower/
tub area, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A stopper is missing.
Level 2: The shower or tub can be used, but
you see cracks or extensive discoloration in
more than 50% of the basin.
Level 3: The shower or tub cannot be used
for any reason. The shower, tub, faucets,
drains, or associated hardware is missing or
has failed.
Ventilation/Exhaust System—Inoperable
(Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: The apparatus used to exhaust
air has failed.
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Note:
1. If a resident has blocked an exhaust fan
but it can function properly, do not record
this as a deficiency.
2. If a resident has disconnected a fan,
consider it functional if it can be
immediately reconnected for your inspection.
3. If there was never a bathroom fan, do not
record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An exhaust fan is not functioning.
-ORA bathroom window cannot be opened.
Level 3: N/A
Water Closet/Toilet—Damaged/Clogged/
Missing (Bathroom—Unit)
Deficiency: A water closet/toilet is
damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Fixture elements, seat, flush
handle, cover etc., are missing or damaged.
-ORThe toilet seat is cracked, or the hinge is
broken.
Level 3: The bowl is fractured or broken
and cannot retain water.
-ORThe water closet/toilet is missing.
-ORThere is a hazardous condition.
-ORThe water closet/toilet cannot be flushed,
because of obstruction or another defect.
Call-for-Aid—Inoperable (Unit)
System to summon help. May be visual,
audible, or both. May be activated manually
or automatically when pre-programmed
conditions are met.
Deficiency: The system does not function.
Note: Inspector should verify that the Callfor-Aid only alerts local entities (on-site)
prior to testing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The system does not function.
Ceiling (Unit)
The visible overhead structure lining the
inside of a room or area.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks
• Peeling/Needs Paint
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Bulging/Buckling (Ceiling—Unit)
Deficiency: The ceiling is bowed, deflected,
sagging, or is no longer aligned horizontally
to the extent that ceiling failure is possible.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or a problem with alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have
concerns about the possibility of failure,
inform the property representative that an
inspection by a professional engineer is
suggested.
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Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks (Ceiling—
Unit)
Deficiency:
- The ceiling surface has punctures that may
or may not penetrate completely.
-OR- Panels or tiles are missing or damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small holes that are no
larger than a sheet of paper, 81⁄2 inches by 11
inches.
-ORNo hole or crack penetrates the area above.
-ORYou see that no more than 3 tiles or panels
are missing.
-ORYou see a crack more than 1⁄8 inch wide
and 11 inches long.
Level 2: You see a hole that is larger than
a sheet of paper, 81⁄2 inches by 11 inches, but
it does not penetrate the area above. You
cannot see through it.
-ORYou see that more than 3 tiles or panels are
missing.
-ORYou see a crack more than 1⁄8 inch wide
and 11 inches long.
Level 3: You see a hole that penetrates the
area above. You can see through it.
Comment:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Peeling/Needs Paint (Ceiling—Unit)
Deficiency:
—You see paint that is peeling, cracking,
flaking, or otherwise deteriorated.
-OR—You see a surface that is not painted.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The affected area is larger than 1
square foot, but smaller than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The affected area is larger than 4
square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Ceiling—Unit)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 ceiling, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 ceiling, you estimate that a
very large area (more than 1 square foot) of
its surface has been substantially saturated or
damaged by mold or mildew. The ceiling
surface may have failed.
Doors (Unit)
Means of access to the interior of a unit,
room within the unit, or closet. Doors
provide privacy and security, control
passage, provide fire and weather resistance.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
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• Damaged Hardware/Locks
• Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
• Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door
• Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
• Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
(Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb,
threshold, lintel, or trim that is warped, split,
cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door’s
hardware, (locks, hinges, etc.) record this
under ‘‘Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors—
Unit).’’
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning
or cannot be locked because of damage to the
frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Level 3: At least 1 bathroom door or entry
door is not functioning or cannot be locked
because of damage to the frame, header,
jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: The attachments to a door that
provide hinging, hanging, opening, closing,
surface protection, or security are damaged or
missing. These include locks, panic
hardware, overhead door tracks, springs and
pulleys, sliding door tracks and hangers, and
door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have a lock, the
lock should work. If a door is designed
without locks, do not record it as a
deficiency.
2. If a lock has been removed from an
interior door, do not record this as a
deficiency.
3. 504 units have had locks removed.
Before you start the inspection, you should
be given a list of units relative to UFAS. Do
not record these missing locks as
deficiencies.
4. For public housing, if a lock on a
bedroom door is missing or damaged, do not
record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A closet door does not function as
it should because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
-ORA closet door that requires locking cannot
be locked because of damage to the door’s
hardware.
Level 2: A door, other than a closet door,
does not function as it should because of
damage to the door’s hardware.
-ORA door, other than a closet door, that
requires locking cannot be locked because of
damage to the door’s hardware.
Level 3: A bathroom door or entry door
does not function as it should because of
damage to the door’s hardware.
-ORA bathroom door or entry door that
requires locking cannot be locked because of
damage to the door’s hardware.
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Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
(Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: This includes holes, peeling/
cracking/no paint, broken glass and
significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
—May affect either the surface protection or
the strength of the door.
-OR—May compromise building security.
Note: If the door is a bathroom door or
entry door, this is a Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One interior door, not a bathroom
or entry door, has a hole or holes with a
diameter ranging from @ inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger
than 1 inch in diameter, significant peeling/
cracking/no paint, rust that affects the
integrity of the door surface, or broken/
missing glass.
-ORIf a bathroom door or entry door has Level
2 damage.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security
Door (Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: You see damage to surfaces,
including screens, glass, frames, hardware,
and door surfaces.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: At least 1 screen door or storm
door is damaged or is missing screens or
glass, as shown by an empty frame or frames.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A security door is not functioning
or missing.
Comment:
Level 3: ‘‘Missing’’ applies only if a
security door that should be there is not
there.
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
(Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: The seals and stripping around
the entry door(s) to resist weather and fire are
damaged or missing.
Note: This defect applies only to entry
doors that were designed with seals. If a door
shows evidence that a seal was never part of
its design, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals are missing on 1 entry
door, or they are so damaged that they do not
function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors—Unit)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Note:
1. If a bathroom or entry door is missing,
record this as a Level 3 deficiency.
2. If a bedroom door has been removed to
improve access for an elderly or handicapped
resident, do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A door is missing, but it is not a
bathroom door or entry door.
Level 2: Two doors or up to 50% of the
doors are missing, but they are not bathroom
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doors or entry doors, and the condition
presents no hazard.
Level 3: A bathroom door or entry door is
missing.
-ORYou estimate that more than 50% of the
unit doors, not including bathroom doors and
entry doors, are missing.
Electrical System (Unit)
Portion of the unit that safely provides
electrical power throughout the building.
Includes equipment that provides control,
protection, metering, and service.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiency:
• Blocked Access to Electric Panel
• Burnt Breakers
• Evidence of Leaks Corrosion
sbull; Frayed Wiring
• GFI Inoperable
• Missing Breakers/Fuses
• Missing Covers
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for
wires that are not intended to be insulated,
such as grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose any
conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
GFI—Inoperable (Electrical System—Unit)
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel (Electrical
System—Unit)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of
sufficient size and weight can delay or
prevent access to any panel board switch in
an emergency.
Note: If you see an item that is easy to
remove, like a picture, do not note this as a
deficient.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed item(s) of
sufficient size and weight can impede access
to the unit’s electrical panel during an
emergency.
Burnt Breakers (Electrical System—Unit)
Deficiency: The GFI does not function.
Note: To determine whether the GFI is
functioning, you must press the self-test
button in the GFI unit.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The GFI does not function.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it under
‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Missing Breakers/Fuses (Electrical System—
Unit)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel
board, or other electrical box that contains
circuit breakers/fuses, you see an open
circuit breaker position that is not
appropriately blanked-off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers (Electrical System—Unit)
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical
System—Unit)
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Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the
plastic body, or the plastic body is melted
and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue,
melted breakers, or arcing scars.
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any
electrical device box, panel box, switch gear
box, control panel, etc., with exposed
electrical connections.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, and you see
exposed electrical connections.
Floors (Unit)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust
marks, or other signs of corrosion on
electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a
deficiency if it does not affect the condition
of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the
condition of the components that carry
electrical current.
-ORAny stains or rust on the interior of
electrical enclosures.
-ORAny evidence of water leaks in the
enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical System—Unit)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or
fraying of the insulation that expose wires
that conduct current.
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The visible horizontal surface system
within a room or area underfoot; the
horizontal division between 2 stories of a
structure.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
• Peeling/Needs Paint
• Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor
• Soft Floor Covering Damage
Bulging/Buckling (Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: A floor is bowed, deflected,
sagging, or is no longer aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or a lack of horizontal alignment.
Comment:
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Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of this condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles (Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: You see that hard flooring,
terrazzo, hardwood, ceramic tile, sheet vinyl,
vinyl tiles, or other similar flooring material,
is missing section(s), is missing, or presents
a tripping or cutting hazard, associated with
but not limited to holes or delamination.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For any single floor surface, you
see deficiencies in areas of the floor surface.
You estimate that 5% to 10% of the floor is
affected, and there are no safety problems.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of
any single floor surface is affected, but there
are no safety problems.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50%
of any single floor surface is affected by Level
1 deficiencies.
-ORThe condition causes a safety problem.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: On 1 floor, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 3: On 1 floor, you estimate that a
very large area (more than 1 square foot) of
its surface has been substantially saturated or
damaged by mold or mildew. The floor
surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: For floors that are painted, you
see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking, or
otherwise deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The area affected is more than 1
square foot, but less than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The area affected is more than 4
square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor (Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: The subfloor has decayed or is
decaying.
Note:
1. If there is any doubt, apply weight to
detect noticeable deflection.
2. This type of defect typically occurs in
kitchens and bathrooms.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see small areas of rot or
spongy flooring that is more than 1 square
foot, but less than 4 square feet.
Level 3: You see large areas of rot, more
than 4 square feet, and applying weight
causes noticeable deflection.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have
concerns about the health and safety, inform
the property representative that an inspection
by a professional engineer is suggested.
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Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damage
(Floors—Unit)
Deficiency: You see damaged and/or
missing soft floor covering.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You estimate that only 5% to 10%
of any single soft floor covering has stains,
surface burns, shallow cuts, small holes,
tears, loose areas, or exposed seams. The
covering is fully functional, and there is no
safety hazard.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of
any single soft floor covering has burn marks,
cuts, tears, holes, or large sections of exposed
seams that expose the underlying material.
There is no safety hazard.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50%
of any single soft floor covering is damaged.
-ORDamage to the soft floor covering exposes
the underlying material.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Hot Water Heater (Unit)
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• General Rust/Corrosion
• Inoperable Unit/Components
• Leaking Valves/Tanks/Pipes
• Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
• Missing Pressure Relief Valve
General Rust/Corrosion (Hot Water Heater—
Unit)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated
piping/ducting shows evidence of flaking,
oxidation, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see superficial surface rust.
Level 2: You see significant formations of
metal oxides, flaking, discoloration, or a pit
or crevice.
Level 3: Because of this condition, the
equipment or piping does not function.
Inoperable Unit/Components (Hot Water
Heater—Unit)
Deficiency: Hot water supply is not
available, because the system or system
components have malfunctioned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: After running, water from the hot
water taps is not warmer than room
temperature.
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Leaking Valves/Tanks/Pipes (Hot Water
Heater—Unit)
Deficiency: You see water leaking from any
hot water system component, including valve
flanges, stems, bodies, domestic hot water
tank, or its piping.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see water leaking.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
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Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (Hot
Water Heater—Unit)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas
fired or oil fired unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an
exhaust system on a gas fired or oil fired unit
that may cause improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Missing Pressure Relief Valve (Hot Water
Heater—Unit)
Deficiency: The pressure relief valve on the
unit water heating system is missing or does
not extend to the floor.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that the pressure relief
valve on the unit water heating system is
either missing or does not extend to the floor.
HVAC System (Unit)
System to provide heating, cooling and
ventilation to the unit. This does not include
building heating or cooling system
deficiencies such as boilers, chillers,
circulating pumps, distribution lines, fuel
supply, etc., or occupant owned or supplied
heating sources.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged
• General Rust/Corrosion
• Inoperable
• Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
• Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged (HVAC—Unit)
Deficiency: A cover on the convection/
radiant heat system is missing or damaged,
which could cause a burn or related injury.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: At least 1 cover is missing or
substantially damaged, allowing contact with
heating/surface elements or associated fans.
Comment:
Level 3: When the system is operational
during an inspection and you see a Level 3
deficiency, a real-time hazard exists, you
must record it manually under ‘‘Hazards
(Health and Safety).’’
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC—Unit)
Deficiency: You see a component of the
system with deterioration from oxidation or
corrosion of system parts. Deterioration is
defined as rust and/or formations of metal
oxides, flaking, or discoloration, or a pit or
crevice.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see deterioration from rust
and corrosion on the HVAC units in the
dwelling unit. The system still provides
enough heating or cooling.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Inoperable (HVAC—Unit)
Deficiency: The heating, cooling, or
ventilation system does not function.
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Note: If the HVAC system does not operate
because of seasonal conditions, do not record
this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The HVAC system does not
function; it does not provide the heating or
cooling it should. The system does not
respond when the controls are engaged.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
(HVAC—Unit)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on either a
gas, oil fired, or coal unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an
exhaust system on a gas fired, oil fired or coal
unit that may cause improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking (HVAC—Unit)
Deficiency: The HVAC distribution
components, including fans, are the source of
unusual vibrations, leaks, or abnormal noise.
Examples may include, but are not limited to,
screeching, squealing, banging, shaking, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The HVAC system shows signs of
abnormal vibrations, other noise, or leaks
when engaged. The system still provides
enough heating or cooling to maintain a
minimum temperature range in the major
living areas.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Kitchen (Unit)
A place where food is cooked or prepared.
The facilities and equipment used in
preparing and serving food.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cabinets—Missing/Damaged
• Countertops—Missing/Damaged
• Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal—Inoperable
• Plumbing—Clogged Drains
• Plumbing—Leaking Faucets/Pipes
• Range Hoods/Exhaust Fans—Excessive
Grease/Inoperable
• Range/Stove—Missing/Damaged/
Inoperable
• Refrigerator—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
• Sink—Missing/Damaged
Cabinets—Missing/Damaged (Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: Cabinets are missing or the
laminate is separating. This includes cases,
boxes, or pieces of furniture with drawers,
shelves, or doors, primarily used for storage,
mounted on walls or floors.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see that 10% to 50% of the
cabinets, doors, or shelves are missing or the
laminate is separating.
Level 3: You see that more than 50% of the
cabinets, doors, or shelves are missing or the
laminate is separating.
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Countertops—Missing/Damaged (Kitchen—
Unit)
Deficiency: A flat work surface in a kitchen
often integral to lower cabinet space is
missing or deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% or more of the countertop
working surface is missing, deteriorated, or
damaged below the laminate and is not a
sanitary surface on which to prepare food.
Level 3: N/A
Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal—Inoperable
(Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: A dishwasher or garbage
disposal, if provided, does not function.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The dishwasher or garbage
disposal does not function.
Level 3: N/A
Plumbing—Clogged Drains (Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: The water does not drain
adequately.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The basin does not drain freely.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The drain is completely clogged or
has suffered extensive deterioration.
Plumbing—Leaking Faucets/Pipes (Kitchen—
Unit)
Deficiency: You see that a basin faucet or
drain connections leak.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a leak or drip that is
contained by the basin or pipes, and the
faucet is functioning as it should.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a steady leak that is
having an adverse affect on the surrounding
area, and the faucet or pipe is not usable.
Range Hood/Exhaust Fans—Excessive
Grease/Inoperable (Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: The apparatus that draws out
cooking exhaust does not function.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An accumulation of dirt, grease or
other barrier noticeably reduces the free
passage of air.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The exhaust fan does not function.
-ORYou estimate that the flue may be
completely blocked.
Range/Stove—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
(Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: The unit is missing or
damaged.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you
should be given a list of units under UFAS.
Do not record these disconnected or partially
disconnected ranges/stoves as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The operation of doors or drawers
is impeded, but the stove is functioning. On
gas ranges, flames are not distributed equally.
The pilot light is out on 1 or more burners.
Level 2: One burner is not functioning.
Level 3: The unit is missing.
-ORTwo or more burners are not functioning.
-ORThe oven is not functioning.
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Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
Refrigerator—Missing/Damaged/Inoperable
(Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: The refrigerator is missing or
does not cool adequately for the safe storage
of food.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The refrigerator has an excessive
accumulation of ice.
-ORThe seals around the doors are
deteriorated.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The refrigerator is missing.
-ORThe refrigerator does not cool adequately
for the safe storage of food.
Sink—Missing/Damaged (Kitchen—Unit)
Deficiency: A sink, faucet, or accessories
are missing, damaged or not functioning.
Note: If a stopper is missing, do not record
it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see extensive discoloration or
cracks in 50% or more of the basin, but the
sink and hardware can still be used to
prepare food.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink or hardware is either
missing or not functioning.
Laundry Area/Room—Dryer Vent Missing/
Damaged/Inoperable (Unit)
Place where soiled clothes and linens are
washed and/or dried.
Deficiency: Inadequate means is available
to vent accumulated heat/lint to the outside.
The dryer vent is missing, damaged or
inoperable.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Dryer vent is missing, damaged or
is visually determined to be inoperable
(blocked). Dryer exhaust is not effectively
vented to the outside.
Lighting—Missing/Inoperable (Unit)
System to provide illumination to a room
or area. Includes fixtures, lamps, and
supporting accessories.
Deficiency: A lighting fixture is missing or
does not function as it should. The
malfunction may be in the total system or
components, excluding light bulbs.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: In 1 room in a unit, a permanent
lighting fixture is missing or not functioning,
and no other switched light source is
functioning in the room.
Level 2: In 2 rooms, a permanent lighting
fixture is missing or not functioning, and no
other switched light source is functioning in
the rooms.
Level 3: In more than 2 rooms, a permanent
light fixture is missing or not functioning,
and no other switched light sources are
functioning in the rooms.
Outlets/Switches (Unit)
The receptacle connected to a power
supply or method to control the flow of
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electricity. Includes 2 and 3 prong outlets,
ground fault interrupters, pull cords, 2 and
3 pole switches and dimmer switches.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Missing
• Missing/Broken Cover Plates
Missing (Outlets/Switches—Unit)
Deficiency: An outlet, switch or both are
missing.
Note: This does not apply to empty
junction boxes that were not intended to
contain an outlet or switch.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: An outlet, switch or both are
missing.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).’’
Missing/Broken Cover Plates (Outlets/
Switches—Unit)
Deficiency: The flush plate used to cover
the opening around a switch or outlet is
damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An outlet or switch has a broken
cover plate over a junction box, but this does
not cause wires to be exposed.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover plate is missing, which
causes wires to be exposed.
Patio/Porch/Balcony—Baluster/Side Railings
Damaged (Unit)
Adjoining patio, porch or balcony.
Deficiency: A baluster or side railing on the
porch/patio/balcony is loose, damaged or
does not function, which limits the safe use
of this area.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The baluster or side rails enclosing
this area are loose, damaged or missing,
limiting the safe use of this area.
Smoke Detector—Missing/Inoperable (Unit)
Sensor to detect the presence of smoke and
activate an alarm. May be battery operated or
hard-wired to electrical system. May provide
visual signal, audible signal or both.
Deficiency: A smoke detector will not
activate or is missing.
Note:
1. There must be at least 1 smoke detector
on each level.
2. If 2 or more smoke detectors are on the
same level in visible proximity, at least 1 of
the smoke detectors must function as it
should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single smoke detector is missing
or does not function as it should.
Stairs (Unit)
Series of 4 or more steps, or flights of steps,
joined by landings connecting levels of a
unit. Includes supports, frame, treads and
handrails.
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This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps
• Broken/Missing Hand Railing
Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps (Stairs—
Unit)
Deficiency: The horizontal tread or stair
surface is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A step is broken or missing.
Broken/Missing Hand Railing (Stairs—Unit)
Deficiency: The handrail is damaged or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The handrail for 4 or more stairs
is either missing, damaged, loose or
otherwise unusable.
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Walls (Unit)
The enclosure of the units and rooms.
Materials for construction include concrete,
masonry block, brick, wood, glass block,
plaster and sheet-rock. Surface finish
materials include paint and wall coverings.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Bulging/Buckling
• Damaged
• Damaged/Deteriorated Trim
• Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
• Peeling/Needs Paint
Bulging/Buckling (Walls—Unit)
Deficiency: A wall is bowed, deflected,
sagged or is no longer vertically aligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging,
or that the wall is no longer vertically
aligned.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the
severity of the condition, request an
inspection by a structural engineer.
Damaged (Walls—Unit)
Deficiency: You see cracks and/or
punctures in the wall surface that may or
may not penetrate completely. Panels or tiles
may be missing or damaged.
Note:
1. This does not include small holes
created by hanging pictures, etc.
2. Control joints/construction joints should
not be recorded as a deficiency.
3. Cracks that have been repaired or sealed
properly should not be considered a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: In a wall, you find a hole, crack,
missing tile or panel, or other damage that is
between 1 square inch and 81⁄2 inches by 11
inches. The hole does not penetrate the
adjoining room/area. You cannot see through
it to the adjoining area.
-ORYou find a crack greater than 1/8 inch wide
and at least 11 inches long.
Level 2: In a wall, you find a hole, missing
tile or panel, or other damage that is larger
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than a sheet of paper, 8 1⁄2 inches by 11
inches, and does not penetrate the adjoining
room. You cannot see through it to the
adjoining area.
Level 3: You find a hole of any size that
penetrates an adjoining room. You can see
through the hole.
-ORTwo or more walls have Level 2 holes.
Comments:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and
safety concern, you must record it manually
under ‘‘Hazards (Health and Safety).’’
If you as an inspector have concerns about
the possibility of failure, inform the property
representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Damaged/Deteriorated Trim (Walls—Unit)
Deficiency: Cove molding, chair rail, base
molding or other decorative trim is damaged
or has decayed.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you
should be given a list of UFAS buildings/
units. For the buildings/units on this list, do
not record superficial surface/paint damage
caused by wheelchairs, walkers or medical
devices as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small areas of
deterioration in the trim surfaces, and you
estimate that 5% to 10% of the wall area is
affected.
Level 2: You see large areas of deterioration
in the trim surfaces, and you estimate that
10% to 50% of the wall area is affected.
Level 3: You see significant areas of
deterioration in the wall surfaces, and you
estimate that more than 50% of the wall area
is affected.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
(Walls—Unit)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that
may have been caused by saturation or
surface failure or evidence of water
infiltration or other moisture producing
conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 wall, you see evidence of
mold or mildew, such as a darkened area,
over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 wall, you estimate that a very
large area (more than 1 square foot) of its
surface has been substantially saturated or
damaged by mold, or mildew. The wall
surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Walls—Unit)
Deficiency:
—Paint is peeling, cracking, flaking or
otherwise deteriorated.
-OR—A surface is not painted.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you
should be given a list of UFAS buildings/
units. For the buildings/items on this list, do
not record as deficiencies any superficial
surface/paint damage caused by wheelchairs,
walkers or medical devices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The affected area affected is more
than 1 square foot but less than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The affected area is more than 4
square feet.
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Level 3: N/A
Windows (Unit)
Window systems provide light, security,
and exclusion of exterior noise, dust, heat,
and cold. Frame materials include wood,
aluminum and vinyl.
This inspectable item can have the
following deficiencies:
• Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes
• Damages/Missing Screens
• Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
• Inoperable/Not Lockable
• Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals
• Peeling/Needs Paint
• Security Bars Prevent Egress
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes (Windows—
Unit)
Deficiency: A glass pane is cracked, broken
or missing from the window sash.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a cracked window pane.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that a window pane is
broken or missing from the window sash.
Damaged/Missing Screens (Windows—Unit)
Deficiency: Screens are punctured, torn,
otherwise damaged, or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: One or more screen(s) in a unit are
punctured, torn, otherwise damaged, or
missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
(Windows—Unit)
Deficiency: The sill, frames, sash lintels or
trim are damaged by decay, rust, rot,
corrosion, or other deterioration.
Note: Damage does not include scratches
and cosmetic deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to sills, frames,
sash lintels or trim, but nothing is missing.
The inside of the surrounding wall is not
exposed. You see no impact on either the
operation or functioning of the window or on
its weather tightness.
Level 2: Sills, frames, sash lintels, or trim
are missing or damaged enough to expose the
inside of the surrounding walls and
compromise its weather tightness.
Level 3: N/A
Inoperable/Not Lockable (Windows—Unit)
Deficiency: A window cannot be opened or
closed because of damage to the frame, faulty
hardware or another cause.
Note:
1. If a window is not designed to lock, do
not record this as a deficiency.
2. Windows that are accessible from the
outside, for example, a ground level window,
must be lockable.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A window is not functioning and
can be secured. Other windows in the
immediate area are functioning.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A window is not functioning, but
cannot be secured. In the immediate area,
there are no other windows that are
functioning properly.
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Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound (Windows—Unit)
Deficiency: The caulk, seals or glazing
compound that resists weather is missing or
deteriorated.
Note:
1. This includes Thermopane and
insulated windows that have failed.
2. Caulk and seals are considered to be
deteriorated when 2 or more seals for any
window have lost their elasticity. (If the seals
crumble and flake when touched, they have
lost their elasticity.)
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Most of the window shows
missing or deteriorated caulk, seals and/or
glazing compound but there is no evidence
of damage to the window or surrounding
structure.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There are missing or deteriorated
caulk, seals and/or glazing compound with
evidence of leaks or damage to the window
or surrounding structure.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Windows—Unit)
Deficiency: Paint covering the window
assembly or trim is cracking, flaking or
otherwise failing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see peeling paint or a window
that needs paint.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Security Bars Prevent Egress (Windows—
Unit)
Deficiency: Exiting or egress is severely
limited or impossible because security bars
are damaged or improperly constructed or
installed. Security bars that are designed to
open should open. If they do not open,
record a deficiency.
Note: Inspector should verify that the
security bars if opened do not activate an
alarm that would alarm or summon outside
authorities (police, etc.).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Exiting or egress is severely
limited or impossible, because security bars
are damaged, improperly constructed/
installed, or security bars that are designed
to open cannot be readily opened.
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Health and Safety Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ‘‘Health and Safety’’
are as follows:
• Air Quality
• Electrical Hazards
• Elevator
• Emergency/Fire Exits
• Flammable Materials
• Garbage and Debris
• Hazards
• Infestation
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Mold and/or Mildew Observed (Air
Quality—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew or
evidence of water infiltration or other
moisture producing conditions.
Note: If the area has at least 1 square foot
of mold or mildew, record it as a deficiency.
Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
(Air Quality—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You detect strong propane,
natural gas, or methane gas odors that could:
—Pose a risk of explosion/fire.
—Pose a health risk if inhaled.
Sewer Odor Detected (Air Quality—Health
and Safety)
Deficiency: You detect sewer odors.
Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety)
Any hazard that poses a risk of electrical
fires, electrocution or spark/explosion.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Exposed Wires/Open Panels
• Water Leaks On or Near Electrical
Equipment
Exposed Wires/Open Panels (Electrical
Hazards—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see exposed bare wires or
openings in electrical panels.
Note:
1. If the accompanying property
representative has identified abandoned
wiring, capped wires do not pose a risk and
should not be recorded as a deficiency. They
must be enclosed in a junction box as defined
in Note 2, below.
2. If the capped wires are not properly
enclosed in a junction box, record as a
deficiency.
Water Leaks On or Near Electrical Equipment
(Electrical Hazards—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see water leaking,
puddling or ponding on or immediately near
any electrical apparatus. This could pose a
risk of fire, electrocution or explosion.
Elevator—Tripping (Health and Safety)
Vertical conveyance system for moving
personnel, equipment, materials, household
goods, etc.
Deficiency: An elevator is misaligned with
the floor by more than 3/4 inch. The elevator
does not level as it should, which causes a
tripping hazard.
Emergency/Fire Exits (Health and Safety)
Air Quality (Health and Safety)
Indoor/outdoor spaces must be free from
high levels of sewer gas, fuel gas, mold,
mildew or other harmful pollutants. Indoors
must have adequate ventilation.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Mold and/or Mildew Observed
• Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas
Detected
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• Sewer Odor Detected
All buildings must have acceptable fire
exits that are also properly marked and
operational. This includes fire towers,
stairway access doors and external exits.
These can include operable windows on the
lower floors with easy access to the ground
or a back door opening onto a porch with a
stairway leading to the ground.
Note: This does not apply to individual
units.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Blocked/Unusable (Emergency/Fire Exits)
• Missing Exit Signs
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Blocked/Unusable (Emergency/Fire Exits—
Health and Safety)
Deficiency: The exit cannot be used or exit
is limited because a door or window is nailed
shut, a lock is broken, panic hardware is
chained, debris, storage or other conditions.
Missing Exit Signs (Emergency/Fire Exits—
Health and Safety)
Deficiency:
—Exit signs that clearly identify all
emergency exits are missing.
-OR—There is no adjacent or other internal
illumination in operation on or near the
sign.
Flammable/Combustible Materials—
Improperly Stored (Health and Safety)
Any substance that is either known to be
combustible or flammable or is stored in a
container identifying it as such.
Deficiency: Flammable materials or
combustible materials are improperly stored
near a heat or electrical source, causing the
potential risk of fire or explosion.
Note: Flammable or combustible materials
may include, but are not limited to, gasoline,
paint thinners, kerosene, propane, paper,
boxes, etc.
Garbage and Debris (Health and Safety)
Accumulation of garbage and debris
exceeding the capacity of the storage area or
not stored in an area sanctioned for such use.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Indoors
• Outdoors
Indoors (Garbage and Debris—Health and
Safety)
Deficiency:
—Too much garbage has gathered, more than
the planned storage capacity.
-OR—Garbage has gathered in an area that is not
sanctioned for staging or storing garbage or
debris.
Note: This does not include garbage and
debris improperly stored outside. For this
deficiency, see ‘‘Outdoors (Garbage and
Debris—Health and Safety).’’
Outdoors (Garbage and Debris—Health and
Safety)
Deficiency:
—Too much garbage has gathered; more than
the planned storage capacity.
-OR—Garbage has gathered in an area not
sanctioned for staging or storing garbage or
debris.
Note: This does not include garbage
improperly stored indoors. For this
deficiency, see ‘‘Indoors (Garbage and
Debris—Health and Safety).’’
Hazards (Health and Safety)
Physical hazards that pose risk of bodily
injury.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Sharp Edges
• Tripping
• Other Hazards
Deficiency: If you see any general defects
or hazards that pose risk of bodily injury, you
must note them.
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Sharp Edges (Hazards—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see any physical defect
that could cause cutting or breaking human
skin or other bodily harm, generally in
commonly used or traveled areas.
Tripping (Hazards—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see any physical defect
that poses a tripping risk, generally in
walkways or other traveled areas. Typically,
the defect must present at least a threequarter inch deviation.
Note: This does not include tripping
hazards from elevators that do not level
properly. For this deficiency, see ‘‘Elevator
Tripping (Health and Safety).’’
Other Hazards (Hazards—Health and Safety)
Note: ‘‘Other’’ includes hazards that are not
specifically defined elsewhere.
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Infestation (Health and Safety)
Presence of rats, or severe infestation by
mice or insects such as roaches or termites.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
• Insects
• Rats/Mice/Vermin
Insects (Infestation—Health and Safety)
Deficiency: You see evidence of infestation
of insects, including roaches and ants,
throughout a unit or room, especially in food
preparation and storage areas.
Note:
1. This does not include infestation from
rats/mice. For this deficiency, see ‘‘Rats/
Mice/Vermin (Infestation—Health and
Safety).’’
PO 00000
2. If you see baits, traps, and sticky boards
that show no presence of insects, do not
record this as a deficiency.
Rats/Mice/Vermin (Infestation—Health and
Safety)
Deficiency: You see evidence of rats or
mice sightings, rat or mouse holes, or
droppings.
Note:
1. This does not include infestation from
insects. For this deficiency, see ‘‘Insects
(Infestation—Health and Safety).’’
2. If you see baits, traps, or sticky boards
that show no presence of vermin, do not
record this as a deficiency.
[FR Doc. 2012–19335 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am]
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47707-47759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19335]
[[Page 47707]]
Vol. 77
Thursday,
No. 154
August 9, 2012
Part II
Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS): Physical Condition Scoring
Notice and Revised Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 /
Notices
[[Page 47708]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-5526-N-02]
Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS): Physical Condition
Scoring Notice and Revised Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Final Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice provides additional information to public housing
agencies (PHAs) and members of the public about HUD's process for
issuing scores under the Physical Condition Indicator of the PHAS under
the PHAS Physical Condition Scoring Process notice published on
February 23, 2011. In addition, this notice makes changes to the
Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions (Dictionary). This notice follows
a notice for comment that was published on October 13, 2011, and makes
additional changes to the Dictionary as a result of public comments.
Because some of these changes to the Dictionary affect the Item Weights
and Criticality Levels for the inspectable items for which changes have
been made, this notice republishes the entire Item Weights and
Criticality Levels table as well as the entire Dictionary as
Appendices.
The process for issuing scores and the changes in this notice apply
to the physical condition inspection process for both multifamily and
public housing properties.
DATES: Effective Dates: For public housing properties, this notice is
effective September 10, 2012, and will be applicable to PHAs with
fiscal years ending on December 31, 2012, and thereafter. For
multifamily housing properties assisted with project-based Section 8
that is attached to the structure, section 202 and section 811 capital
advances and loans for supportive housing for the elderly and persons
with disabilities, and for multifamily housing properties with
mortgages insured or held by HUD or that are receiving insurance from
HUD, as listed at 24 CFR 200.853(b), this notice is effective for all
inspections conducted on January 1, 2013 and thereafter.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Claudia J. Yarus, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Office of Public and Indian Housing,
Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC), 550 12th Street SW., Suite 100,
Washington, DC 20410 at 202-475-8830 (this is not a toll-free number).
Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number
through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. The October 13, 2011 Notice for Comment
On October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63640), HUD published for public comment
a notice revising the scoring protocol for the PHAS physical condition
indicator and making changes to the Dictionary of Deficiency
Definitions. The major revision was the addition of a point loss cap,
which limits the amount by which a single deficiency in an inspectable
area could reduce the overall property score, in response to complaints
by PHAs that there were situations where the reduction from a single
deficiency was so severe as to be unfair. Inspectable areas include
site, building exterior, building system, common areas, and dwelling
units. Under the point loss cap proposed for comment, the maximum point
deduction for single deficiencies for the site is 7.5 points; for the
building exterior, building system, and common areas, 10 points each;
and for dwelling units, 5 points. Conforming changes proposed to
implement the point loss cap are described in the October 13, 2011,
notice; see 76 FR 63641.
In addition to the point loss cap, changes were proposed to the
inspection software and to the Dictionary of Deficiency definitions.
The core functionality of the inspection software has been modified to
improve data collection. It employs a decision tree model that replaces
the selection-based model of recording observed deficiencies. The
inspection protocol remains unchanged, but the overall system will
include the changes made to the Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions
and the inclusion of a point loss cap determined at the inspectable
area level.
In the notice for comment, the Dictionary of Deficiencies was
proposed to be changed to introduce clarifications. Technical
modifications and clarifications were made to a number of deficiencies
under inspectable items, including building exterior, building systems,
common areas, units, site, and health and safety. The specific changes
proposed are found at 76 FR 63648-63654 (October 13, 2011).
II. This Final Notice
This final PHAS Indicator 1 (physical condition) scoring
notice, except for the technical and conforming changes to the
Dictionary stated in the responses to public comments, is the same as
the proposed notice published for comment on October 13, 2011 (76 FR
63640), including the point loss cap.
Changes are made to the Dictionary. The proposed change to building
exterior/windows, missing/deteriorated caulk, seals, glazing compound
requires conforming changes to two other deficiencies regarding
windows. In the deficiency for units, kitchen, range Hood/Exhaust Fans,
Excessive Grease/Inoperable, which applies to both common areas and
units, this final notice, pursuant to public comment, removes the note
referencing this deficiency as a health and safety hazard. In response
to a comment raising a possible inconsistency in terminology, the
``site, fencing, and gates'' deficiency and the ``common area, pools,
and related structures'' deficiency are now both referenced as ``pools
and related structures (common areas).'' The deficiencies for fences in
this final notice are for ``non-security/non-safety fences'' and
``security/safety fences.'' In the deficiency for site, grounds,
ponding and site drainage, the severity level 2 and 3 definitions are
revised to state (for level 2) ``at least 100 square feet'' and (for
level three) ``over 100 square feet.'' In the deficiency for site,
parking lots/driveways/roads, damaged paving, pursuant to a public
comment, this final notice adds a note clarifying that repaired or
sealed cracks are not considered a deficiency. Likewise, this final
notice adds a similar note to the definition for damaged walls in
common areas and in units.
In the definition related to common areas, ceiling, mold, this
final notice revises the definition to read ``You see mold or mildew
that may have been caused by saturation or surface failure, or evidence
of water infiltration or other moisture producing conditions,'' and the
title of the definition is revised to conform. Similar deficiency
definitions for common areas walls and floors and unit ceiling, walls,
and floors are revised to conform.
The deficiency definitions regarding soft and hard floor coverings
in dwelling units are revised in this final notice to conform to the
proposed definitions for floor coverings in common areas. Also,
pursuant to a public comment, in the deficiency for common areas,
floors, rot/deteriorated subfloor, the comment on level 3 is revised to
be consistent with other similar notes instructing the inspector to
notify the PHA of possible failure of the item and recommend an
engineering inspection.
Because the conforming amendments occur throughout the Dictionary,
the
[[Page 47709]]
entire Dictionary is republished as Appendix 2 to this notice. Appendix
1 is the revised Item Weights and Criticality Levels table with the
changes that correspond to the changes in the Definitions.
III. The Public Comments
The public comment period for the October 13, 2011 notice closed on
November 14, 2011. By the close of the public comment period, HUD
received comments from 8 commenters. Commenters included public housing
agencies (PHAs) and trade associations involved in public housing and
real estate. Two of the commenters, in addition to their comments on
this notice, re-submitted comments that were originally submitted in
2004 in response to an earlier proposed revision of the Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions (see 69 FR 12475 et seq., March 16, 2004). These
comments are indicated by ``(2004)'' after the comment.
A summary of the significant issues raised in the public comments,
and HUD's responses, follows.
A. Physical Inspections
Issue: Physical inspections generally. A commenter stated that the
physical condition scoring process is complicated and expensive to
implement and does not adequately measure the condition of public
housing properties or the management of the PHA. This commenter stated
that the process is too complicated with overly rigid rules, and HUD
should focus on adjustments that streamline and simplify the system
based on a risk management approach.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that the process is too complicated and
rigid. The Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) inspection
protocol was designed to be a uniform inspection process and standard
for HUD's portfolio of assisted and insured housing through equitable,
fair and accurate assessments. Both the applicable multifamily and
public housing regulations employ a risk based approach with respect to
the frequency of inspections based on the results the UPCS inspection.
UPCS was designed to assess the condition of the housing (i.e., decent,
safe and sanitary and in good repair). Efficacy of management
operations is assessed and measured under separately protocols under a
separate PHAS indicator and under the Office of Housing (HUD form 9834
Management Review).
Another commenter stated that HUD should ensure that the changes
are consistent with the Administration's efforts to streamline rental
housing programs through reducing physical inspections. According to
the commenter, in July 2011, the White House released an alignment
report that provided a number of suggestions from industry stakeholders
for reducing the number of annual inspections of multifamily properties
receiving multiple federal subsidies. The commenter stated that many of
these housing programs have a variety of physical inspection
requirements, resulting in multiple inspections of a single property
annually. According to the commenter, the report suggested expanding
use of REAC use of all Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) for
all inspections on federally-assisted properties or adjusting REAC's
input methods to allow for non-REAC inspections to be `read' into the
system in order to create a system for standardized comparison. On
November 7, the White House announced it was moving forward with a
pilot program to reduce physical inspections for federally-assisted,
privately-owned multifamily properties in the states of Wisconsin,
Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Oregon and Ohio. A commenter asked HUD
to collaborate with the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Treasury
to ensure consistency among the physical inspection methodologies and
protocols for mixed-financed properties in the pilot program and any
subsequent national program.
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the focus on streamlining the
physical inspection protocol for all federally assisted housing
programs. HUD is working to pursue the alignment of the physical
inspection process across agencies as part of the Interagency Rental
Policy Working Group which is the main source of information going to
and from the White House. This group, represented by numerous Federal
Agencies including the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Treasury,
seeks alignment of administrative requirements of federal housing
programs to reduce administrative burden and to avoid unnecessary
governmental cost. HUD can confirm that inspections have begun in some
of the states above with the inspections of the other states being
scheduled. To ensure consistency in the inspection process, HUD has
suggested to the working group that the UPCS inspection protocol should
be used for all inspections on federally-assisted properties in its
current format, or at least, investigate minor adjustments to the UPCS
software while seeking methods to allow for non-REAC inspections to be
reported and recorded into REAC's database. HUD is committed to
continue this alignment effort after the final results, analysis and
report is sent to the White House.
Issue: Inconsistent inspections. A commenter submitted an example
where a PHA spent $20 million on a comprehensive modernization, yet
``the property received an almost failing score due to the incompetency
of the inspector.'' This commenter stated that results are influenced
unreasonably because of intimidation of HUD Quality Assurance
inspectors during random inspections.
HUD Response: Each inspection is based on the observations at the
time it is conducted and thus it is always a possibility that
improvements may not be in place or items not functioning at that time.
Because inspectors are to record all observed deficiencies, whether or
not a HUD Quality Assurance (QA) inspector is on site during an
inspection, in accordance with the UPCS inspection protocol, the
inspector must call out and record all deficiencies observed in the
five inspectable areas. If a multifamily owner/PHA feels that a
deficiency the inspector called out and cited does not exist, the
multifamily owner/PHA should document and submit a request for a
technical review as provided in 24 CFR 902.68 for public housing and 24
CFR 200.857(d) for multifamily housing, or request for a database
adjustment as provided in 24 CFR 902.24 for public housing and 24 CFR
200.857(e) for multifamily housing.
With respect to the QA inspectors, they are on site to ensure that
the inspection is complete and valid and that the contract inspector
conducts the inspection in accordance with the UPCS protocol. Should a
property feel that a QA inspector exhibited undue pressure during the
course of an inspection, HUD advises the multifamily owner/PHA to
contact the Physical Inspection QA Manager.
Issue: A commenter stated that a major concern is lack of
consistency and fairness by the contracted inspectors, where some
inspectors seem to be knowledgeable and interested in performing a true
assessment of the physical condition of the PHA, while others have poor
attitudes, lack professionalism, and questionable abilities to perform
the inspections. This commenter also stated that inspectors do not
appear to have a consistent set of guidelines and are often ``guided by
personal and subjective'' preferences. This commenter claims that each
time a PHAS inspection is carried out the
[[Page 47710]]
inspector concentrates on ``a new deficiency of the day.'' The
inspection process must be fair and consistent, as the physical
inspection has the largest influence on the overall PHAS score.
HUD Response: Over the past 12 years, HUD has invested significant
resources to assure consistent application of established standards,
including a team of HUD ``quality assurance'' inspectors. While always
striving to continue to improve the accuracy of its inspections, HUD
believes that the inspection process provides a reasonable indication
of the physical condition at the time of inspection of each project. Of
course, conditions can vary from year to year.
As such, HUD trains all UPCS inspectors. Only those individuals who
meet specific knowledge and experience requirements to be UPCS
inspectors participate in the UPCS training. The UPCS training which
currently consists of classroom and written testing followed by field
testing of actual inspections is being updated in 2012 to include a
preliminary on line component. In 2012 HUD also will utilize the
Internet to deliver training and provide update to inspectors using
webcasts, Skype and Live Meeting. Through these training methods,
participants will be able to ask questions that can be addressed
immediately.
The Data Collection Device (DCD) 4.0 inspection software being
released with this Notice is yet another way for HUD to achieve even
greater consistency between inspectors and inspections. The 4.0
software enhances objectivity because it is uses a ``decision tree''
model. Based on answers to questions, the software guides the inspector
in recording the level of the observed deficiency.
HUD asks multifamily owners/PHAs that have concerns about an
inspector's ability to contact the REAC Technical Assistance Center at
1-888-245-4860.
Issue: A commenter stated that the reduced inspection frequency for
high-scoring properties creates a perverse incentive for inspectors to
note additional deficiencies and elevate severity levels to maintain
demand for their services. This commenter stated that it ``has received
several reports of irregularities in the baseline inspection process''
supporting this concern, and suggests changes in inspector oversight
and the inspection protocol.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that the frequency of inspections
influences the number and severity level of deficiencies that
inspectors cite. HUD review of thousands of physical inspection reports
does not find this issue to be present. The size of the assisted and
insured property portfolio subject to UPCS inspection is large enough
that there is no incentive for inspectors to cite deficiencies to
ensure their continued service. Nonetheless, if a multifamily owner/PHA
has a specific basis for concern about an inspector or inspection they
have the option to contact the REAC Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
at 1-888-245-4860. All such calls are referred to the Inspector
Administration Division that investigates the reported concern.
Issue: Improper focus. A commenter stated that the UPCS inspection
criteria do not line up well with the priorities of residents. The
criteria force PHAs to spend significant time and resources to correct
deficiencies found in inspections, at the expense of other enhancements
that would improve quality of life for residents. By demanding a focus
on individual deficiencies, UPCS scoring creates a barrier to allowing
PHAs to pursue a more holistic approach. For example, by emphasizing
fogged window panes, bent fences, and other items that do not present a
health and safety risk, UPCS scores divert attention from larger-scale
improvements like unit reconfigurations, replacement of obsolete but
functional fixtures, and other efforts that improve overall livability.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that the scoring is a barrier to
multifamily owners/PHAs pursuing a holistic approach to property
management. The UPCS is comprehensive in scope, assessing the overall
physical condition of the entire property. HUD defers to multifamily
owners/PHAs on the amenities and resident priorities they wish to
provide and pursue. Maintaining decent safe and sanitary housing that
is in good repair is not inconsistent with developing and implementing
modernization projects and capital improvement plans that contribute to
livability.
Issue: Suggestions for improving inspections. A commenter stated
that inspectors should be required to provide documentation and
evidence of all deficiencies recorded against a property, which will
encourage adherence to the Dictionary of Definitions by inspectors,
provide the PHA with information to address the deficiency, and provide
a factual basis for appeals. This commenter also stated that there
should be automatic quality control reinspection when a score decreases
by 20 points or more from one inspection to the next, in addition to
the reinspection when the score increases, so as to be neutral with
reinspections. To minimize administrative burden, the PHA could have
the option to decline the reinspection for a large score decrease if it
believes it is accurate.
HUD Response: Since HUD began conducting UPCS inspections in 1998,
properties have received an exigent health and safety report at the
conclusion of each day of the inspection and an overall physical
inspection report that identifies all deficiencies observed after the
inspection is scored. As part of the new 4.0 software, that physical
inspection report will include a location for each deficiency cited.
All of this information, along with any information noted by the
property representative that accompanies the inspector throughout the
inspection, provides the property with the information necessary to
submit an appeal.
HUD disagrees that there should be an automatic quality assurance
re-inspection when the score changes by 20 or more points from the
previous inspection. The determination as to when HUD will conduct a
quality assurance re-inspection after an inspection has been conducted
is based on the overall review of the inspection report, which review
includes consideration of the change in the score (either a decrease or
increase) from the previous inspection. In all instances HUD considers
input from the multifamily owner/PHA when making the determination to
do a quality assurance review, but the final determination still rests
with HUD.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD should address the
disproportionate effect on scoring when there are few buildings or
units.
HUD Response: The point loss cap as described in the proposed
notice that will be implemented in the 4.0 software mitigates the
disproportionate impact or effect on scoring for the five inspectable
areas for properties with one or few buildings.
Issue: Tenant-caused issues and matters outside PHA's control.
Several commenters stated that points should not be deducted for
tenant-caused deficiencies or other matters stated to be outside the
control of the PHA.
A commenter stated that tenant-caused deficiencies should not cause
a reduction in the score where the tenants have disobeyed rules or
instructions from the PHA. Another commenter stated that a greater
emphasis is placed on the site in areas that have little to no impact
on the integrity of the units, and the residents' quality of living
becomes increasingly compromised. As funding is reduced, PHAs will have
to choose whether to expend those funds to
[[Page 47711]]
ensure that residents have safe, secure, and decent affordable housing,
or using the funds to retain high performer status.
A commenter stated that points should not be deducted where the
tenant commits a lease violation that the PHA could not reasonably have
prevented, or where the tenant fails to report an issue with the unit.
This commenter stated that the most frequent of these are: tenant
refuses to admit an inspector; tenant created safety violations that
are not visible outside the unit, such as trip hazards, tampering with
the call-for-aid feature, or furniture too close to the heating source;
unreported damage since the last PHA inspection, such as physical
damage to walls and cabinets, misplacing or damaging the basin plug,
cracked or removed plate covers, and damaged plumbing. At a minimum,
appropriate time should be given to remedy these issues and points
``recaptured'' accordingly.
A commenter stated that PHAs should not be held accountable for
tenant-created deficiencies that cannot be controlled by management,
such as blocking egress by placement of furniture or adding additional
locks after the PHA's inspection but before the REAC inspection.
A commenter stated that PHAs should not incur point deductions for
matters outside the control of the PHA, including tenant-caused damage,
unreported damage, and deficiencies on public property not controlled
by the PHA. This commenter cites the lack of ability to appeal to HUD
for these kinds of deficiencies. As an example, the commenter stated
that in the case of tenant-paid utilities, PHAs lose points when the
utilities have been shut off and the PHA cannot show it has taken any
action with the tenant to remedy the situation. Where the shut-off
occurred shortly before the REAC inspection, the PHA has had no time to
take action, yet it loses points with no appeal option.
HUD Response: The multifamily owner/PHA is ultimately responsible
for the physical condition of a unit, and should enforce the
appropriate provisions of the lease or other directives if a resident
does not comply with them. This includes a resident's failure to
maintain the equipment (that is leased with the unit) in acceptable
condition, causing damage to the unit, altering the unit or creating
safety hazards. Further, if a resident causes damage and fails to
report it, the citation of the deficiency will alert the multifamily
owner/PHA to the existence of the problem.
With respect to the matter of appeals, through the technical
review/database adjustment process, HUD makes adjustments for
deficiencies on public property that is not controlled by the PHA.
Database adjustments may be made prior to or after the inspection and
once HUD approves a database adjustment, it is recorded in HUD's
records. For all approved database adjustments, HUD automatically
adjusts the inspection by restoring points after each subsequent
inspection so that when the inspection report is issued, the
multifamily owner/PHA does not have to file another request.
HUD does not consider appeals for tenant caused damage because
under statute (See, e.g., 42 U.S.C. 1437d(f)(1)) and contract (e.g.,
the ACC) such damage is the responsibility of the multifamily owner/
PHA. Accordingly, HUD reminds multifamily owners/PHAs to schedule
regular housekeeping and preventative maintenance inspections and
ensure that a provision addressing tenant caused damage issues is
included in the lease.
As stated, the citation in the inspection serves to alert the PHA
or owner to the existence of unreported damage.
Issue: Deferred maintenance plans and seasonal issues. A commenter
stated that PHAs should not be penalized for deficiencies that are
scheduled for future maintenance or that are part of a deferred
maintenance plan due to weather or seasonal issues, as weather is
beyond the control of a PHA. For instance, pooling of water on a site
may not be fixable during winter when the ground is frozen.
HUD Response: HUD understands budgetary constraints which are often
the cause for deferring maintenance items. However, part of good
management is maintaining a preventative maintenance schedule by
priority while considering the season(s) that the work can take place.
Since the physical inspection of a unit is a snapshot in time, if
maintenance work is planned but not yet begun at the time of the
inspection, the physical condition is recorded in the inspection
report.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD should allow a specified time to
correct physical deficiencies found during the inspection before points
are deducted. This commenter stated that Section 8 and multifamily
housing programs under HQS allow 30 days to correct deficiencies, and
24 hours for life-threatening issues.
HUD Response: The application of a time delay in scoring in order
to afford the owner an opportunity to correct or mitigate observed
deficiencies is inconsistent with UPCS. Inspections under UPCS, which
was established in 1998 as a uniform inspection standard that is
applicable to all project based housing assistance programs, are a
snapshot of the time at which the inspection was conducted. Under the
applicable regulations, if the multifamily owner/PHA believes the
inspector was in error or if there is an objectively verifiable
material error, after receipt of the inspection report the multifamily
owner/PHA may file a technical review or request for a database
adjustment, as applicable, which may result in an improvement in the
property's overall score.
B. Point Loss Caps
Issue: Point loss caps generally. Several commenters supported the
general concept of point loss caps, but stated that the point loss caps
were still too high, such that minor issues could still lead to
disproportionate point reductions. One commenter specifically mentioned
the inspectable areas of site and building exterior. One commenter
stated that especially EHS issues would be overrepresented in the score
despite the point loss caps. This commenter stated that this is
particularly true for scattered site developments, and for such
developments, the various sites should be treated like buildings and
units and averaged for the number of sites. One commenter stated that,
while the point loss cap provides some relief to smaller PHAs, it
``will not provide much, if any, relief to housing authorities and
properties containing larger numbers of units.''
HUD Response: HUD disagrees that the point loss caps are too high.
The point loss caps are based on statistical analyses of thousands of
inspections and HUD believes they are reasonable in mitigating the
disproportionate impact of deficiencies on property scores. The point
loss cap is a buildings-driven concept--a concept based on the number
of buildings in a property, not the number of units in the property.
Therefore, there will be relief in the inspection scores for all
properties that are comprised of one or just a few buildings.
Issue: Specific suggestions and concerns about point deductions.
One commenter stated that point deductions should be proportional to
how many of the items at issue there are on the property. This
commenter cites an example of a small PHA that lost 15.2 points out of
a possible 20.2 for site due to various deficiencies including health
and safety violations for a missing water valve cover and a loose screw
on a piece of playground equipment. The valve
[[Page 47712]]
cover should have been considered in proportion to how many such covers
there were on the site. The health and safety deductions are the most
``devastating'' ones and are out of proportion. The scoring system is
arbitrary and difficult to work with, and does not focus sufficiently
on the units, which is where the residents actually live.
HUD Response: Proportionality is one of the equity principles built
into the scoring of all deficiencies. The proportionality applied to a
single observed deficiency is dependent upon the inspectable area in
which the inspectable item is located and the deficiency definition
that corresponds to that specific deficiency. In addition to the
application of the equity principle of proportionality, certain
categories of deficiencies result in larger point deductions due to the
potential impact on residents, guests, and property staff. Those
categories of deficiencies are the Level 3 deficiencies and all health
and safety deficiencies. Any health and safety deficiency on the site
affects all property residents, guests, and staff and therefore results
in a larger point loss than, for example, a health and safety
deficiency in one unit. In the situation described by the commenter,
the health and safety deficiency of a missing cover on site poses a
personal injury risk and creates opportunities for damage to a building
system. The health and safety deficiency of a missing cover on the site
affects all property residents, guests, and staff by, for example,
posing a personal injury risk and creating opportunities for damage to
the building system or posing a personal injury risk, and therefore
results in a larger point loss than, for example, a health and safety
deficiency in one unit.
Regarding the issue of focus on the living units, as the scoring
notice states, of the five inspectable areas that comprise a UPSC
property inspection, the dwelling unit inspectable area is accorded the
greatest weight and carries the highest weight of 35 percent of the
total property score of 100.
C. Appeals and Adjustments
Issue: Appeals process. Several commenters stated that changes
should be made to the appeals process. A commenter stated that the
requirements for technical reviews are excessive and often require a
great deal of time and expense to get an error corrected. Technical
reviews also exclude many of the most common reasons a technical review
would be needed, such as incorrect severity levels and deficiencies
caused by residents that the agency could not have reasonably prevented
or corrected. HUD should engage a third party to review appeals, allow
for a more cost-effective documentation standard, and, at a minimum,
allow agencies to appeal any deficiency that would have sufficient
impact to make a difference in their overall PHAS score. While this may
increase HUD costs, the significance of physical inspection scores on
housing authority funding and status warrants a fair and meaningful
process.
A commenter stated that in cases where PHAs wish to appeal, the
appeals should be heard by a neutral third party, which is what PHAs
are required to do as to residents. The commenter also stated that
appeals should be allowed even when they would not change the overall
designation of the agency. REAC scores are relied on by lenders,
commissioners, and the general public as measurements of the overall
condition and performance of PHAs, so PHAs should be afforded the
opportunity to appeal mistakes affecting those scores, regardless of
whether it would change the PHA's overall designation. Also, a change
in score that affects the frequency of inspection, even if it does not
affect the overall designation, is material and should be able to be
appealed.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree that the document requirements for
submitting technical reviews are excessive. The majority of items for
which technical reviews are submitted require only a date/time-stamped
photograph taken during the inspection that clearly reflects the
condition of the inspectable area/item cited as a deficiency. The other
items for which a signed and dated letter from a local fire marshal or
building code official is required are often one-time letters that
verify state and local aspects such as fire safety codes or ownership
of fences and sidewalks. To assist multifamily owners/PHAs in preparing
requests for technical reviews, HUD has posted a standard submission
form along with information and examples of required documents on the
Web site.
Additionally, the technical review provisions in the applicable
regulations (24 CFR part 200 for multifamily owners and 24 CFR part 902
for PHAs) were not part of the public comment solicitation and are
outside the scope of this notice. Accordingly, HUD is not making any
changes to these provisions.
Section 6(j)(2)(A)(iii) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C.
1437d(j)(2)(A)(iii), provides only for the appeal of designation
(including mod-troubled), the petition to remove a troubled
designation, and the appeal of a denial of such petition. Therefore
these are the appeals provided in the PHAS rule. This notice does not
make any changes to provide for appeals that would not result in a
change of designation, nor is it within the scope of this notice to do
so.
HUD has several years experience with appeals, and has found that
the mechanisms for technical reviews, database adjustments and appeals
provide sufficient recourse to a PHA where there are issues of record
or fact in dispute so that there is not a need for a neutral third
party hearing.
Issue: Score adjustments. A commenter stated that score adjustments
should be allowed when the PHA can show that it had already contracted
with a third party or scheduled force account labor to do the necessary
repairs. In today's budget environment, PHAs do not have the capacity
to fix everything immediately.
HUD Response: HUD recognizes the importance of prioritizing housing
repairs and encourages the owner to do so in compliance with regulatory
and statutory requirements. However, HUD does not consider a contract
not yet in force with work started or scheduled force account labor as
part of the score as it would not be a credible inspection of the
property at the time of the inspection. Because the physical inspection
of a unit is a snapshot in time, if maintenance work is in progress
during the inspection of a unit, the physical condition of the unit is
recorded in the inspection report.
Issue: Underfunding. A commenter stated generally that given the
backlog of unmet capital needs, along with dramatic reductions in the
Capital Fund, it is unfair to hold PHAs accountable for the effects of
these constraints, and scoring should take these factors into account.
Another commenter stated that with no control over funding levels for
operating and capital, but fully accountable for the condition of their
properties, PHAs are concerned about how to maintain their properties
given anticipated cuts to funding levels. Funding levels should be
taken into account in measuring the performance of PHAs.
HUD Response: HUD declines to prorate these measures. Funding for
all multifamily owners/PHAs is subject to the availability of
appropriations and those that make the most effective and efficient use
of their available resources will, and should, score the most points on
their physical inspections.
Issue: Suggestions for taking funding into account. A commenter
suggested the following formula: REAC Score/Average funding reduction
over last 5 years = adjusted REAC score, be used to
[[Page 47713]]
determine the physical assessment score.
HUD Response: The UPCS inspection protocol as designed assesses the
physical condition of HUD assisted and insured housing according to a
uniform standard. As an engineering protocol based on observations at
the time of the inspection, it is delinked from funding considerations.
This is to ensure that each inspection is objective and verifiable
without consideration of external factors.
D. New Software
Issue: Software generally. A commenter stated that providing
inspectors with the database adjustments prior to the inspection will
streamline the inspection process for all parties, saving inspectors
time by eliminating those items from the list of inspectable items,
reducing the burden on HUD to correct the findings before scores are
issued, and allowing PHAs to maintain their focus on addressing valid
findings.
HUD Response: HUD agrees that pre-database adjustments are
appropriate and stores approved pre-DBAs in the REAC system for local
code variances and other approved items not owned by the property such
as fences or roads. Due to the fact that the field office is required
to verify a request for a database adjustment based on the supporting
documentation, the inspector cannot make an adjustment while on-site.
While inspectors must record the deficiencies in accordance with the
inspection protocol, the inspection is adjusted automatically after
submission to the REAC system and prior to final scoring. Guidelines
and a standardized submission form to establish approved pre-DBAs are
posted on the HUD Web site.
Issue: A commenter stated that HUD should provide more information
about the new software before implementing it, and should field test
the software thoroughly before rolling it out along with the new
definitions nationally. The test should include different inspectors
using the software on the same properties to identify inconsistency and
ensure objectivity before implementing the final version.
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the necessity for field testing the
new software. HUD has already completed a number of field tests
addressing various scenarios and the QA inspectors are conducting in
house testing with mock inspections. HUD is in the process of
developing web based demonstrations for the various modules of the new
software that will be available on line in the near future. In
addition, HUD QA inspectors are working with the REAC physical
inspection staff in planning a live demonstration that will be
announced as a webcast, Skype or Live Meeting that will include real
time questions and answers.
E. Public Process
Issue: Public comment process. A commenter urged HUD to engage the
industry in meaningful, informed, and specific dialogue before adding
elements to the final notice which were not previously available for
comment and discussion.
HUD Response: This final notice is within the scope of the proposed
notice, on which the public has had appropriate opportunity to comment.
F. Deficiency Definitions
Issue: Definitions generally: A commenter stated that the updates
are ``very minor and will not make much difference.''
HUD Response: HUD disagrees. The changes in the deficiency
definitions in this notice were designed to create greater consistency
among inspectors. These definitional changes coupled with the point
loss cap scoring enhancement will result in more accurate and equitable
assessments of the physical condition of HUD properties.
Issue: Duplication. A commenter stated that HUD should limit
duplicate citations for a single item. For example, a contiguous area
of mold present on a wall and adjacent ceiling is counted as 2
deficiencies when ``logic suggests that it should only be noted once.''
This commenter also stated that it is ``double jeopardy'' to (in this
example) also deduct for poor air quality resulting from the mold. In
that case, only the most severe of the deficiencies related to the same
item should be noted.
HUD Response: There is no duplication in the example cited. Walls
and ceiling are separate and distinct inspectable items within a given
inspectable area such as the unit. And, while they have some similar
applicable deficiencies, they also have different applicable
deficiencies. As such in accordance with the UPCS inspection protocol,
inspectors will record the observed deficiency, as applicable, for each
inspection item. Recording only one deficiency would not be accurate
and complete. Even a small amount of mold or mildew can be potentially
dangerous, especially if it is allowed to increase in size. The
presence of mold or mildew should be identified, and the cause should
be determined and corrected. Because mold/mildew has been recognized as
a serious health and safety issue, it is also recorded as poor air
quality.
Issue: Proportionality. A commenter stated that HUD should
reconsider the proportionality of the weights for deficiencies,
especially regarding sites, to reflect a more realistic approach to
addressing deficiencies considering the overall context and size of
properties. For example, a small deficiency, such as ponding or a hole
in a fence, will be weighted in the same way over a small site versus a
large site regardless of acreage, square footage, or number of units,
leading to disproportionate results. Because deficiencies are not
weighted in proportion to the size of the site, scores can be
unreasonably decreased and impact a PHA's ability to qualify for
additional funding.
HUD Response: Under UPCS there is a single site for all of a
development's properties regardless of the size of the property or if
the property is comprised of scattered sites. The underlying basis is
that UPCS treats all deficiencies on site as affecting all residents,
guests, and staff on that site. HUD appreciates the commenter's
suggestion about weighting deficiencies in proportion to the size of
the property and will give this suggestion further consideration.
Issue: Subjectivity of inspectors. A commenter stated that, due to
potential subjectivity of interpretation among inspectors, HUD should
re-evaluate the impact of the new deficiency definitions either through
extensive field-testing or an initial evaluation period to determine if
they are objective enough to ensure inspections are conducted in a
standard manner.
HUD Response: The revised definitions will be implemented as part
of the new DCD 4.0 software which uses a ``decision tree'' structure
that HUD believes will reduce the possibility of wide variations due to
subjectivity. Regarding testing, HUD has already completed a number of
field tests and the QA inspectors are conducting in house testing.
Issue: No points should be deducted for cosmetic issues. A
commenter stated that PHAs should be scored on true measures of
livability rather than cosmetic issues such as paint and tile, and no
points should be deducted for cosmetic issues. Given tight budgets with
capital needs outstripping resources, a PHA could be penalized for
choosing to spend their capital funds on major systems, leaving
insufficient funding to address cosmetic issues. Conversely, a PHA
could receive a high score by focusing on surface issues while issues
below the surface, such as rot and mold, can have a severe impact. This
commenter stated that a review of
[[Page 47714]]
the most frequently cited deficiencies on HUD's Web site shows that at
least a quarter are purely cosmetic, while many others are ``likely
cosmetic in nature.''
HUD Response: Under UPCS, which assesses the overall physical
condition of the entire property, the scoring impact of each deficiency
will vary based on the item weight and criticality and severity levels
of the deficiency. The protocol establishes the relative importance of
one deficiency to another. What the commenter refers to as cosmetic are
lower impact deficiencies and that is reflected in the points that are
deducted.
HUD posted the list of the most frequently cited deficiencies for
general informational purposes because they span the various
criticality and severity levels of the possible deficiencies in the
UPCS protocol. However, a multifamily owner/PHA's best portfolio
management tool is the actual inspection reports and the deficiencies
cited therein.
Issue: Specific deficiencies. Commenters raised issues with a
number of the specific deficiency definitions, and also reiterated
their comments on the 2004 proposed changes to the deficiency
definitions (69 FR 12474 et seq., March 16, 2004). Where a comment
refers to the 2004 proposed changes, the comment is identified as such
and a citation is provided to the changes to which the commenter
refers.
Building Exterior
Issue: Building exterior, windows, missing/deteriorated caulk,
seals, glazing compound. A commenter stated that this deficiency (69 FR
12479) should be advisory only, not scored (2004).
HUD Response: The proposed change is to the severity level of the
deficiency. What was the Level 2 deficiency for building exterior,
windows, missing/deteriorated caulk, seals, glazing compound window is
now the Level 1 deficiency. The scoring of this deficiency was not part
of the public comment solicitation. HUD has retained the scoring of
this deficiency due to the potential deteriorating situation it
addresses. The definition as proposed remains unchanged. There are two
other deficiency areas regarding windows that are revised to conform to
the proposed definition for Building Exterior--Windows--Missing/
Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing compound. Both areas pertain to
this deficiency, one for common areas windows and the other for
dwelling unit windows. Because these definitions are similar in the
current Dictionary, the deficiency definitions for missing/deteriorated
caulking/seals/glazing compound for common area windows and dwelling
unit windows are revised in this final notice to reflect the same
revisions contained in the proposed missing/deteriorated caulking/
seals/glazing compound in the building exterior deficiency definition.
Issue: Building exterior, peeling/needs paint. A commenter stated
that no points should be deducted for cosmetic paint issues, for this
and similar deficiencies.
HUD Response: The scoring of this deficiency was not part of the
public comment solicitation and this final notice makes no change to
this item.
Building Systems
Issue: Building systems, exhaust system, roof fans inoperable. A
commenter stated that this definition should be clarified so that a
deficiency would be cited only when the equipment that is part of the
exhaust system does not function as intended.
HUD Response: The definition encompasses both the functional and
non functional features because a non functional deficiency can, over
time, if not addressed, lead to a more serious deficiency that can
contribute to wear and tear and affect the efficiency and operation of
the system. Citing all deficiencies allows multifamily owners/PHAs to
take timely correction action. The definition remains unchanged.
Issue: Building systems, HVAC. A commenter stated that this
definition could be read to give physical condition inspectors leeway
to cite any associated part of the HVAC system, regardless of whether
it applies to the functionality of the HVAC, as a ``building system''
deficiency. This could result in a large physical condition score point
loss for something that may be a minor deficiency or repair. This
commenter stated that HUD should clarify that the deficiency would only
apply to parts of the HVAC that impact its functionality.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees because the associated parts that are
addressed in the definitions are specific to deficiencies. All
deficiencies associated with the HVAC do not, necessarily, cause the
HVAC not to function. For example, in the Boiler/Pump/Cooling System
Leaks (HVAC--Building Systems) deficiency, coolant, water or steam
escaping from the unit casing and/or pump packing/system piping is
clearly a deficiency and in fact may be a Health and Safety deficiency
and yet the HVAC may continue to function.
Units
Issue: Units, HVAC Systems, General Rust/Corrosion. A commenter
stated that it disagrees with the proposed definition of this
deficiency (69 FR 12500) as ``deterioration is defined as rust and/or
formations of metal oxides, flaking or discoloration, or a pit or
crevice.'' This proposed change does not address how the HVAC system is
functioning; it only addresses the presence of rust and corrosion. If
the equipment is working properly, there should be no deficiency. This
criterion is too subjective and gives the inspector too much latitude
(2004). This commenter also stated that the definition of ``rust or
corrosion'' including ``pit or crevice'' does not give any parameters
for the size of the pit or crevice or extent of rust or corrosion
required, and so gives too much latitude to the inspector (2004).
Another commenter stated that no points should be deducted when
rust does not indicate a structural problem and does not impact the
functionality. Consideration should be given to where the rust is
located on the HVAC system.
Another commenter stated that only ``significant'' deterioration
should be covered; minor instances that have no effect on the
functioning of the system should not be scored. This commenter stated
that this should be a no-score item according to discussions held in
2002. (2004)
Another commenter stated that the defined deteriorations--rust and/
or formations of metal oxides, flaking, or discoloration, or a pit or
crevice--may simply be cosmetic blemishes and not indicative of the
functionality of and/or the need to repair the unit. This commenter
stated that HUD should specify that cosmetic blemishes which do not
affect the operation of the unit may not be cited as deficiencies.
HUD Response: Because there is no way to tell if the presence of
rust and/or corrosion is affecting the functionality of a system, it is
considered a deficiency but it is only recorded as a
Level 1 deficiency. The presence of rust and/or corrosion makes the
multifamily owner/PHA aware of the potentially deteriorating situation.
Rust is corrosive and if left untreated can comprise the integrity of
the building envelop. The functionality of the HVAC system is addressed
elsewhere in the Dictionary.
The objective measure for rust and/or corrosion is that they are
easily observable. The definition for this deficiency has remained as
proposed. The scoring of this deficiency was not
[[Page 47715]]
part of the public comment solicitation. This final notice retains the
scoring of this deficiency due to the potential deteriorating situation
it addresses.
Issue: Units, kitchen, Range Hood/Exhaust Fans, Excessive Grease/
Inoperable (applies to both common areas and units). A commenter stated
that the proposed definition, which includes ``grease or other barrier
noticeably reduces,'' is too subjective (2004). This deficiency would
permit an inspector to score a resident's housekeeping skills, over
which a PHA has no control, as a physical deficiency, thereby lowering
the score. Further, reference to health and safety is excessive and
would penalize the PHA for the resident's housekeeping skills.
HUD Response: HUD agrees that this definition should not refer to a
health and safety hazard and this notice removes the reference. The
multifamily owner/PHA is ultimately responsible for the physical
condition of a unit, and should enforce the appropriate provisions of
the lease if a resident does not maintain the equipment (that is leased
with the unit) in acceptable condition.
Issue: Units, call-for-aid inoperable. A commenter stated that
resident interference with the equipment should be taken into account
when finding a deficiency.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree that interference with the call-
for-aid equipment should be taken into account by the inspector. The
call-for-aid as installed must serve its intended function (e.g., a
bell sounds an alarm, a light is turned on, or off-site personnel
notified when the system is activated). The multifamily owner/PHA
responsibility for the physical condition of a unit and lease
enforcement includes a resident's interference with the call-for-aid.
The citation of the deficiency alerts the multifamily owner/PHA to the
existence of the problem with this critical system.
Issue: A commenter stated that this definition (call-for-aid
inoperable) should only require that the system function as intended.
This commenter stated that deficiencies have been found because the
cord was tied up and did not reach the floor, and this it is
inappropriate for HUD to penalize the property for the resident's
decision to tie up the cord, as long as the item is working.
HUD Response: HUD does not agree that this definition should only
require that the system function as intended. A coiled or tied call-
for-aid cord is not automatically a deficiency--the system components
must also be tested. But because the pull cord is an integral component
of the call-for-aid system it must be tested in a way that reflects how
someone laying on the floor in distress might pull the cord. If the
coiled or tied cord causes the system to fail when the cord is pulled,
a deficiency is cited. But, if the components of the system function
when the cord is pulled, the call-for-aid system functions as intended
and there is no deficiency.
Site
Issue: Site, Fencing and Gates--Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/
Falling/Leaning. A commenter disagrees with the proposed Level 2
Comments in this section that adds reference to health and safety
hazards to this deficiency (2004). This proposal does not provide
adequate parameters as to what ``poses a danger'', thereby leaving the
designation of a health and safety hazard too subjective. This
commenter stated that the reference to health and safety hazards should
be eliminated.
HUD Response: HUD has determined to retain the phrase ``poses a
danger'' even though it may be considered subjective. It is impractical
to include in the definition everything that could pose a threat. The
reference to health and safety will be retained because an injury or
bodily harm is a health and safety issue. HUD will enhance its
inspector training protocol to emphasize the following definition of
security fencing: ``Fencing that provides a closed boundary by
connections at all points, including gates.'' This will ensure the
inspector clearly understand the difference between perimeter/border
fencing and security fencing. In reviewing the proposed definition, HUD
observed that the reference in the notes should be consistent and
therefore this notice revises the reference to ``Pools and Related
Structures (Common Areas).'' HUD has also determined that the final
definition will be for ``non-security/non-safety fences and ``security/
safety fences.''
Issue: Site, Fencing and Gates. A commenter stated that this
deficiency should cover only ``significant'' rust or deterioration, and
only those instances of deterioration that actually impact the
functionality of the fixture should be scored.
HUD Response: The three levels of this deficiency address what is
necessary for a deficiency to be present and are proportional. The
presence of rust and/or corrosion makes the multifamily owner/PHA aware
of a potentially deteriorating situation. There is no way to tell if
the presence of rust and/or corrosion does or will affect the
functionality of this inspectable item, but there are three levels of
deficiency in this definition. If addressed at the earliest stages,
timely corrective action could prevent a more serious problem from
developing over time.
Issue: A commenter stated that no points should be deducted for
damage to fences that do not affect the safety and security of the
property.
HUD Response: The scoring of this deficiency was not part of the
public comment solicitation. No change is made in this final notice.
Issue: A commenter stated that reference to swimming pool
enclosures is inconsistent between this item and one on the following
page, referring to 69 FR 12505 and 12506 (March 16, 2004), and asked:
``Is it Site, Fencing, and Gates, or is it Common Areas, Pools, and
Related Structures'' (2004)?
HUD Response: HUD agrees that the references in the notes should be
consistent and this final notice changes the reference to ``Pools and
Related Structures (Common Areas).'' HUD also revises this notice so
that the final definitions are for ``non-security/non-safety fences''
and ``security/safety fences.''
Issue: Site, grounds, ponding and site drainage. A commenter stated
that the level 2 and 3 descriptions (69 FR 12508) ``would be improved
by adding `at least 100 square feet''' (2004).
HUD Response: HUD agrees and the Level 2 and 3 definitions are
revised to state ``at least 100 square feet'' and ``over 100 square
feet'' respectively. Also the language throughout the Dictionary is
conformed to read ``more than'' where appropriate.
Issue: Site, parking lots/driveways/roads, damaged paving. A
commenter stated that the deficiency description (69 FR 12509) should
read ``also, repaired/sealed cracks should NOT be considered a
deficiency.'' (2004)
HUD Response: HUD agrees with the commenter and this final notice
adds the note, ``Repaired/sealed cracks should not be considered a
deficiency.'' HUD will enhance its inspector training protocol to
include the recognition of repaired/sealed cracks and damage with
picture examples.
Issue: Site, walkways, steps, cracks, settlement, heaving. A
commenter stated that the notes for deficiency (69 FR 12516) should
state that ``repaired/sealed cracks should NOT be considered a
deficiency.'' (2004)
HUD Response: HUD agrees and this final notice adds this sentence
as item 4 under the note.
Issue: Site, retaining wall, damaged, falling leaning. Commenter
stated that this deficiency (69 FR 12515) refers to
[[Page 47716]]
a deteriorating or damaged retaining wall as defined, ``but we do not
see a definition of a damaged retaining wall.'' (2004) What is the
threshold for damage to a retaining wall? HUD has been taking these
issues case-by-case under technical review, or relying on the
inspector's judgment, but this issue requires further study.
HUD Response: It is not practical to include every possible type of
damage to a retaining wall that may occur. Therefore, HUD does review
this deficiency on a case-by-case basis through the technical review
process to ensure that multifamily owners/PHAs are not unduly
penalized. HUD also considers this an important training issue and
emphasizes it by using a multitude of examples, and using color
pictures whenever possible, as part of the training. This final notice
removes the phrase ``as defined'' from the definitions.
Common Areas
Issue: Common areas, ceiling--holes/missing tiles, etc. A commenter
stated that in the 2004 notice (69 FR 12485)), the Level 1 definition
was proposed to be revised to include a crack more than \1/8\ inch wide
and 11 inches long. This commenter stated that the Level 1 definition
should remain as before the 2004 proposed revision, and the material
that was added to Level 1 should be placed in the Level 2 definition.
HUD Response: HUD believes that including cracks in the Level 1
definition is less stringent than including cracks in the Level 2
definition, and has retained the proposed definition.
Issue: Common areas, ceiling, mold. A commenter stated that no
points should be deducted for superficial stains that do not pose an
imminent threat to health and safety. Another commenter in 2004 stated
that in discussions held in 2002 on this deficiency (69 FR 12486), ``we
arrived'' at a size area for mold of 1-4 square feet. This has been
reduced to 4 square inches--1 square foot in the Level 1 definition,
and in the Level 3 definition, to 1 square foot. This definition should
be returned to the ``agreed measures.''
HUD Response: It is impractical to include in the definition how to
identity all possible conditions that may have lead to a stain, but the
presence of mold/mildew would clearly indicate it is more than
superficial. Thus, this final notice revises the wording of this
definition to clarify that the primary focus is the presence of mold/
mildew, as well as evidence of water infiltration or other moisture
producing conditions. The definition reads, ``You see mold or mildew
that may have been caused by saturation or surface failure, or evidence
of water infiltration or other moisture producing conditions.'' This
notice revises the title of this definition to conform to the revised
definition to read, ``Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Ceiling--
Common Areas).''
HUD believes the use of ``4 square inches to one square foot'' and
``more than 1 square foot'' included in the proposed definition, rather
than the suggested ``1-4 square feet'' and ``4 square feet,'' is more
realistic given the potential seriousness of the presence of mold/
mildew. One square foot (144 square inches) is an area that is 36 times
larger than the proposed 4 square inches, and 4 square feet is 4 times
larger than 1 square foot. Because of the importance of the presence of
mold/mildew, HUD has determined to use the smaller areas as the
minimum.
Even a small amount of mold/mildew can be potentially dangerous,
especially if it is allowed to increase in size. The presence of mold/
mildew should be identified, and the cause should be determined and
corrected. The definition for this deficiency has remained as proposed.
There are two other deficiency definitions regarding mold/mildew in
common areas that this notice revises to conform to the proposed
definition for ``Ceiling--Water Stains/Water Damage/Mold/Mildew (Common
Areas).'' One pertains to mold/mildew on walls in common areas, and the
other is mold/mildew on floors in common areas. Because of the
similarities in the definitions for mold/mildew, this notice makes a
holistic change to mold/mildew in all locations where it can be
recorded (not just the definition for ceiling), though differences in
the actual definitions may be warranted. Therefore, the deficiency
definitions for common areas walls and floors have been revised to
reflect similar revisions as those contained in the proposed
``Ceiling--Water Stains/Water Damage/Mold/Mildew (Common Areas)''
deficiency definition. In addition, there are three deficiency
definitions regarding mold/mildew in dwelling units that have been
revised to conform to the proposed definition for ``Ceiling--Water
Stains/Water Damage/Mold/Mildew (Common Areas).'' They are dwelling
unit ceiling, walls, and floors. The current deficiency definitions for
the dwelling unit ceiling, walls and floors are similar to the current
deficiency definition for ``Ceiling--Water Stains/Water Damage/Mold/
Mildew (Common Areas).'' Therefore, the deficiency definitions for
dwelling unit ceiling, walls and floors have been revised to reflect
similar revisions as those contained in the proposed ceiling common
areas deficiency definition, though differences in the actual
definitions may be warranted.
Issue: Common areas, routes obstructed or inaccessible to
wheelchair. A commenter stated that if the common area and route
existed prior to these requirements, no points should be deducted.
HUD Response: The definition does not impose new requirements. The
change simply adds the words ``at least one route'' to the current
definition clarifies that the inspector need only verify one route, not
all of them. The definition remains as proposed in the October 13, 2011
notice.
Issue: Common areas, hard floor covering, missing flooring/tiles. A
commenter stated that the thresholds for this definition (69 FR 12487)
should be returned to those agreed to at the 2002 meetings, that is,
level one is 10-20 percent, and level 2 is 20-50 percent (2004).
HUD Response: HUD has determined to retain the threshold language
in the proposed definition and use a consistent application of
percentages for all square foot items, when appropriate. For example,
the same percentages are used for the soft floor covering deficiency
definition. HUD notes that the comment for Level 3 is redundant and
this final notice deletes the comment.
There is one additional deficiency definition regarding hard floor
covering in dwelling units that is revised in this final notice to
conform to the proposed definition for hard floor covering in common
areas. The deficiency definition for hard floor covering in dwelling
units is revised in this final notice to reflect the same revisions
contained in the proposed hard floor covering in common areas
deficiency definition.
Issue: Common areas, soft floor covering damaged, floors. A
commenter stated that the title of the definition should be changed to
include ``carpet,'' since that is all that is covered, and the
deficiency should read: ``you see damaged or missing carpet.'' This
deficiency should not be considered a health and safety issue (2004).
HUD Response: The commenter is incorrect that carpet is the only
soft floor covering (e.g., interlocking foam tiles). HUD has determined
to retain the deficiency title to read ``Soft Floor Covering Missing/
Damaged (Floors--Common Areas)'' and the deficiency to read ``You see
damaged and/or missing soft floor covering.'' The changes to the
[[Page 47717]]
two floor covering deficiency definition titles move from a paradigm
that solely describes the type of deficiency in the title (missing or
damaged flooring) to one that includes the type of floor covering
generally (soft or hard) in the title and describes the levels of
deficiencies for that type of flooring. The general description of the
type of floor covering in the title ensures that the definition is
applicable to all types of soft and hard floor coverings respectively.
The titles to the two floor covering deficiency definition now
include the type of floor covering generally (soft or hard) in addition
to the describing the type of deficiency in the title (missing or
damaged flooring) without giving an example of the type to ensure the
definition is covers all types of soft and hard floor coverings
respectively.
Soft floor covering that is missing, has holes, tears or loose
areas could be a tripping hazard, and therefore, is a health and safety
issue.
There is one additional deficiency definition regarding soft floor
covering in dwelling units that this notice revises to conform to the
proposed definition for soft floor covering in common areas. The
deficiency definition for soft floor covering in dwelling units has
been revised to reflect the same revisions contained in the proposed
soft floor covering in the common areas deficiency definition.
Issue: Common areas, floors, rot/deteriorated subfloor. A commenter
stated that the comment on level 3 should be consistent with other
similar notes instructing the inspector to notify the PHA of possible
failure of the item and recommend an engineering inspection (2004).
HUD Response: HUD agrees, and this notice revises the language in
the Level 3 comment to the suggested language. This change is
consistent with language in other deficiency definitions.
Issue: Another commenter stated that it is extremely concerned that
HUD's note to ``apply weight'' to a suspect floor could result in
injury to the inspector or additional damage to the property. This
commenter stated that HUD should remove the ``apply weight'' note from
this definition.
HUD Response: By applying a moderate amount of weight to the floor,
a noticeable deflection will be felt if there is rot, decay,
deterioration, and/or damage. This is the most common way to determine
if there is a problem and it is used throughout the inspection
industry. HUD will enhance its inspector training protocol to ensure
that this definition is adequately explained and examples provided.
Issue: Common areas, HVAC Noisy, Vibrating, Leaking. A commenter
stated that this definition includes examples of ``unusual vibrations,
leaks, or abnormal noise'' such as ``screeching, squealing, banging,
shaking, etc.'' This commenter stated that these examples add more
subjectivity than clarification to the definition. As a result,
properties may receive a citation for a non-existent deficiency. This
commenter stated that the current definition should be retained.
HUD Response: HUD disagrees. HUD has included these illustrative
examples to provide information to assist the inspector in identifying
the types of noises that may emanate from an HVAC unit. This definition
only applies if there is a noise, otherwise it is marked no observed
deficiency and will not result in a point deduction. The definition for
this deficiency remained as proposed.
Issue: Common areas, walls, damaged. A commenter stated that the
note under this deficiency description should state that repaired or
sealed cracks should not be recorded as a deficiency (2004). Another
commenter stated that no points should be deducted for cracks that are
not a structural deficiency
HUD Response: This deficiency does not address any threat to the
integrity of the structure. Cracks that have been repaired or sealed
properly are no longer a deficiency, and will not be cited as a
deficiency. This final notice adds a note to this definition: ``Cracks
that have been repaired or sealed properly should not be considered a
deficiency.'' The definition for this deficiency has remained as
proposed. This final notice revises one additional deficiency
definition regarding damaged walls in dwelling units to conform to the
proposed definition for damaged walls in common areas. The deficiency
definition for damaged walls in dwelling units is revised to reflect
the same revisions contained in the proposed damaged walls in common
areas deficiency definition.
Issue: Common areas, graffiti. A commenter stated that the
deficiency description should note that ``one location'' means
``adjacent walls, doors, ceiling, and/or floors'' (2004).
HUD Response: HUD believes the proposed deficiency definition is
more descriptive of the intent of the use of the word ``location''
defined in the definition as, ``* * * one general area in a building
such as one hallway in a 10 story building or one floor of a stair-well
in a 5 story building.'' The definition for this deficiency has
remained as proposed.
Health and Safety
Issue: Health and safety, air quality, mold and mildew. Commenters
stated that this item is a housekeeping issue and not a maintenance
issue, and that mold on a wall and adjacent ceiling should be
considered 1 item, where it is currently considered 2 items.
A commenter also stated that in discussions held in 2002, it was
agreed that mold would have to cover 1-4 square feet for a point
deduction, which has been reduced to 4 inches-1 foot, and that this
should be returned to the agreed measure (2004); another commenter
stated that the minimum should be 1 square foot before a defect is
found.
Another commenter stated that the definition is too broad and could
include situations where the residents cause moisture damage by
disabling the room fan, lifestyle, or other causes outside the PHA's
control.
HUD Response: It is almost impossible to determine if the presence
of mold/mildew is caused by resident lifestyle and failure to ventilate
properly. The multifamily owner/PHA is ultimately responsible for the
physical condition of a unit, and should enforce the appropriate
provisions of the lease if a resident does not maintain the equipment
(that is leased with the unit) in acceptable condition.
Walls and ceiling are separate inspectable items with similar and
different applicable deficiencies. As such in accordance with the UPCS
inspection protocol, inspectors will record the observed deficiency, as
applicable, for each inspection item. Even a small amount of mold/
mildew can be potentially dangerous, especially if it is allowed to
increase in size. The presence of mold/mildew should be identified, and
the cause should be determined and corrected. Because mold/mildew has
been recognized as a serious health and safety issue, it is also
recorded as poor air quality.
As stated in HUD's response to comment on ceiling mold in common
areas, HUD has determined the measurements as proposed are more
realistic given the potential seriousness of mold/mildew. As such, the
definition for this deficiency is made final as proposed.
In determining if other moisture producing conditions are present,
the inspector will use common sense. It is impractical to address how
to identity all possible other moisture producing conditions, but the
presence of mold/mildew would clearly indicate that something other
than water, if there is
[[Page 47718]]
no evidence of water infiltration, is causing the growth of mold/
mildew.
Issue: Health and safety, air quality, sewer odor detected. A
commenter stated that it prefers the prior definition that required the
inspector to make a judgment whether the odor presented a health risk.
Another commenter stated that the proposed definition does not
differentiate between an issue being completely ignored and one that
has just occurred. A time frame for addressing the problem is also
absent. Also, a commenter stated that this definition is too vague. A
property owner often has no control over situations when sewer odors
are detected--i.e., flooding, pipes bursting, etc.--especially when
these incidents are not on the property. This commenter stated that HUD
should clarify what a ``health risk'' from sewer odors entails rather
than have a blanket deficiency on any odors detected.
HUD Response: HUD has determined that the inspector should cite any
strong odor that can be detected during the physical inspection, hence
the proposed definition removed the reference to health risk. As with
other definitions, there is no distinction between what may be being
ignored or what has just occurred because the odor itself is what
necessitates action by the multifamily owner/PHA. The multifamily
owner/PHA cannot know that the odor detected by the inspector and cited
in the inspection is not a sewer odor unless it is investigated. If
after investigation the multifamily owner/PHA determines that the odor
does not emanate from the property, the multifamily owner/PHA can, in
accordance with the applicable regulations, submit a request for a
technical review or database adjustment to HUD. But as with all other
deficiencies, if the cause of the odor is due to a condition on the
property, the multifamily owner/PHA must take action to remedy the
condition. The definition for this deficiency has remained as proposed.
Neither the physical inspection scoring notice nor the Dictionary
of Deficiency Definitions addresses time frames for correcting,
remedying or mitigating deficiencies. Multifamily owners/PHAs should
refer to their applicable program regulations and other guidance.
Issue: Health and safety, flammable materials, improperly stored. A
commenter stated that ``not all paint is flammable (i.e., latex paint)
and therefore should be excluded from the definition. Another commenter
stated that a threshold should be included in this definition. For
example, paper stored near a gas furnace is an issue, but paper stored
elsewhere is not.
HUD Response: The UPCS inspection protocol is based on the
inspector's observations. It is neither practical nor prudent for the
inspector to determine the content of containers, such as those listed
in the proposed definition.
HUD believes examples are not necessary as this is covered in the
proposed definition by stating ``near a heat or electric
source[hellip].'' This is an area that is extensively covered in the
inspector training. Just one instance of flammable materials igniting
due to improper storage is one instance too many. The presence of
improperly stored flammable material should be identified and
mitigated. The scoring of this deficiency was not part of the public
comment solicitation. The definition for this deficiency is made final
as proposed.
IV. The Revised Physical Inspection Scoring Process
1. Definitions
The following are the definitions of the terms used in the physical
condition scoring process:
Criticality means one of five levels that reflect the relative
importance of the deficiencies for an inspectable item. Appendix 1
lists all deficiencies with their designated criticality levels, which
vary from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most critical. Based on the
criticality level, each deficiency has an assigned value that is used
in scoring. Those values are as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Criticality Level Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical.............................................. 5 5.00
Very Important........................................ 4 3.00
Important............................................. 3 2.25
Contributes........................................... 2 1.25
Slight Contribution................................... 1 0.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the importance of the deficiency as reflected by its
criticality value, points are deducted from the project score. For
example, a clogged drain in the kitchen is more critical than a damaged
surface on a countertop. Therefore, more points will be deducted for a
clogged drain than for a damaged surface.
Deficiencies refer to specific problems that are recorded for
inspectable items, such as a hole in a wall or a damaged refrigerator
in the kitchen.
Inspectable area means any of the five major components of the
project: site, building exteriors, building systems, common areas, and
dwelling units.
Inspectable items refer to walls, kitchens, bathrooms, and other
features that are inspected in an inspectable area. The number of
inspectable items varies for each inspectable area, from 8 to 17.
Weights are assigned to each item to reflect their relative importance
and are shown in the Item Weights and Criticality Levels tables. The
tables refer to the weight of each item as the nominal item weight,
which is also known as the amenity weight.
Normalized area weight represents weights used with area scores to
calculate project-level scores. The weights are adjusted to reflect the
inspectable items actually present at the time of the inspection. These
weights are proportional, as follows:
For dwelling units, the area score is the weighted average
of sub-area scores for each unit, weighted by the total of item weights
present for inspection in each unit, which is referred to as the
amenity weight.
For common areas, the area score is the weighted average
of sub-area common area scores weighted by the total weights for items
available for inspection (or amenity weight) in each residential
building common area or common building. Common buildings refer to any
inspectable building that contains no dwelling units. All common
buildings are inspected.
For building exteriors or building systems, the area
scores are weighted averages of sub-area scores.
For sites, the area score is calculated as follows: (1)
The amenity weights found on a site, (2) minus deductions for
deficiencies, and (3) normalized to a 100-point scale.
Normalized sub-area weight means the weight used with sub-area
scores to compute an inspectable area score. These weights are
proportional:
For dwelling units, the item weight of amenities available
in the unit at the time of inspection is the amenity weight.
For common areas, the common area amenity weight is
divided by a building's probability of being selected for inspection.
All residential buildings with common areas may not be selected for
inspection; however, all buildings with common areas are used to
determine the amenity weight.
For building exterior and building systems, the building
exterior or building system amenity weight is multiplied by the
building's size (number of units) and then divided by its probability
of being selected for inspection.
For the site, there is no sub-area score. For each
project, there is a single site.
Note that dividing by a building's probability of being selected
for inspection is the same as multiplying by
[[Page 47719]]
the probability weight since the probability weight is 1 divided by the
probability of being selected for inspection.
Point loss cap is the maximum number of points that a single
deficiency can count against the overall property score. The point loss
cap for each inspectable area is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum point
deduction for a
Inspectable area single
deficiency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site................................................... 7.5
Building Exterior...................................... 10.0
Building Systems....................................... 10.0
Common Areas........................................... 10.0
Dwelling Units......................................... 5.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project is used synonymously with the term ``property.''
Severity means one of three levels that reflect the extent of
damage associated with each deficiency, with values assigned as
follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Severity level Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.......................................................... 1.00
2.......................................................... 0.50
1.......................................................... 0.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Item Weights and Criticality Levels tables show the severity
levels that are possible for each deficiency. Based on the severity of
each deficiency, the score is reduced. Points deducted are calculated
by multiplying the item weight by the values for criticality and
severity, as described below. For specific definitions of each severity
level, see the Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions.
Score means a number between 0 and 100 that reflects the physical
condition of a project, inspectable area, or sub-area. A property score
includes both an alphabetical and a numerical component. The number
represents an overall score for the basic physical condition of a
property, including points deducted for health and safety deficiencies
other than those associated with smoke detectors. The letter code
specifically indicates whether health and safety deficiencies were
detected, as shown in the chart below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health and safety deficiencies
-------------------------------------------------------
No health Life Fire safety
Physical inspection score alphanumeric and safety Non-life threatening ---------------------------
codes deficiencies threatening (LT)/exigent No smoke Smoke
(NLT) health and detector detector
safety (EHS) problems problems
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a......................................... X ............ ............ X ............
a *....................................... X ............ ............ ............ X
b......................................... ............ X ............ X ............
b *....................................... ............ X ............ ............ X
c......................................... ............ ............ X X ............
c *....................................... ............ ............ X ............ X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To record a health or safety problem, a letter is added to the
project score (a, b, or c) and to note that one or more smoke detectors
is inoperable or missing an asterisk (*) is added to the project score.
The project score for properties with LT deficiencies will have a ``c''
whether or not there also are NLT deficiencies.
Sub-area means an area that will be inspected for all inspectable
areas except the site. For example, the building exterior for building
``2'' is a sub-area of the building exterior area. Likewise, unit ``5''
would be a sub-area of the dwelling units area. Each inspectable area
for each building in a property is treated as a sub-area.
2. Scoring Protocol
To generate accurate scores, the inspection protocol includes a
determination of the appropriate relative weights of the various
components of the inspection; that is, which components are the most
important, the next most important, and so on. For example, in the
building exterior area, a blocked or damaged fire escape is more
important than a cracked window, which is more important than a broken
light fixture. The Item Weights and Criticality Levels tables provide
the nominal weight of observable deficiencies by inspectable item for
each area/sub-area. The Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions provides a
definition for the severity of each deficiency in each area/sub-area.
3. Equity Principles
In addition to determining the appropriate relative weights,
consideration is also given to several issues concerning equity between
properties so that scores fairly assess all types of properties:
Proportionality. The scoring methodology includes an important
control that does not allow any sub-area scores to be negative. If a
sub-area, such as the building exterior for a given building, has so
many deficiencies that the sub-area score would be negative, the score
is set to zero. This control mechanism ensures that no single building
or dwelling unit can affect the overall score more than its
proportionate share of the whole.
Configuration of project. The scoring methodology takes into
account different numbers of units in buildings. To fairly score
projects with different numbers of units in buildings, the area scores
are calculated for building exteriors and systems by using weighted
averages of the sub-area scores, where the weights are based on the
number of units in each building and on the building's probability of
being selected for inspection. In addition, the calculation for common
areas includes the amenities existing in the residential common areas
and common buildings at the time of inspection.
Differences between projects. The scoring methodology also takes
into account that projects have different features and amenities. To
ensure that the overall score reflects only items that are present to
be inspected, weights to calculate area and project scores are adjusted
depending on how many items are actually there to be inspected.
Point loss cap. The scoring methodology further takes into account
that a single deficiency can have disproportionate effects on scoring
when there are relatively few buildings or units that are inspected in
a project. To mitigate any disproportionate impact, the number of
points deducted from the project score for any one deficiency is
capped. Point loss caps are set at the inspectable area level.
4. Deficiency Definitions
During a physical inspection of a project, the inspector looks for
[[Page 47720]]
deficiencies for each inspectable item within the inspectable areas,
such as the walls (the inspectable item) of a dwelling unit (the
inspectable area). Based on the observed condition, the Dictionary of
Deficiency Definitions defines up to the three levels of severity for
each deficiency: Level 1 (minor), Level 2 (major), and Level 3
(severe). The associated values are shown in the definition of
``severity'' in Section V.1. A specific criticality level, with
associated values as shown in that chart, is also assigned to each
deficiency. The criticality level reflects the importance of the
deficiency relative to all other possible observable deficiencies for
the inspectable area.
5. Health and Safety Deficiencies
The UPCS physical inspection emphasizes health and safety (H&S)
deficiencies because of their crucial impact on the well-being of
residents. A subset of H&S deficiencies is exigent health and safety
(EHS) deficiencies. These are life threatening (LT) and require
immediate action or remedy. EHS deficiencies can substantially reduce
the overall project score. As noted in the definition for the word
``score'' in the Definitions section, all H&S deficiencies are
highlighted by the addition of a letter to the numeric score. The Item
Weights and Criticality Levels tables list all H&S deficiencies with an
LT designation for those that are EHS deficiencies and an NLT
designation for those that are non-life threatening. The LT and NLT
designations apply only to severity level 3 deficiencies.
To ensure prompt correction, remedy, or action to abate H&S
deficiencies, the inspector gives the project representative a
deficiency report identifying every observed EHS deficiency before the
inspector leaves the site. The project representative acknowledges
receipt of the deficiency report by signature. HUD makes available to
all PHAs an inspection report that includes information about all of
the H&S deficiencies recorded by the inspector. The report shows:
The number of H&S deficiencies (EHS and NLT) that the
inspector observed;
All observed smoke detector deficiencies; and
A projection of the total number of H&S problems that the
inspector potentially would see in an inspection of all buildings and
all units.
If there are smoke detector deficiencies, the physical conditions
score will include an asterisk. However, problems with smoke detectors
do not currently affect the overall score. When there is an asterisk
indicating that the project has at least one smoke detector deficiency,
that part of the score may be identified as ``risk;'' for example,
``93a, risk'' for 93a*, and ``71c, risk'' for 71c*. There are six
distinct letter grade combinations based on the H&S deficiencies and
smoke detector deficiencies observed: a, a*, b, b*, c, and c*. For
example:
A score of 90c* means that the project contains at least
one EHS deficiency to be corrected, including at least one smoke
detector deficiency, but is otherwise in excellent condition.
A score of 40b* means the project is in poor condition,
has at least one non-life threatening deficiency, and has at least one
missing or inoperable smoke detector.
A score of 55a means that the project is in poor
condition, even though there are no H&S deficiencies.
A project in excellent physical condition with no H&S
deficiencies would have a score of 90a to 100a.
6. Scoring Process Elements
The physical condition scoring process is based on three elements
within each project: (1) Five inspectable areas (site, exterior,
systems, common areas, and dwelling units); (2) inspectable items in
each inspectable area; and (3) observed deficiencies.
7. Scoring Using Weighted Averages
The score for a property is the weighted average of the five
inspectable area scores, where area weights are adjusted to account for
all of the inspectable items that are actually present to be inspected.
In turn, area scores are calculated by using weighted averages of sub-
area scores (e.g., building area scores for a single building or unit
scores for a single unit) for all sub-areas within an area.
For all areas except the site, normalized sub-area weights are
determined using the size of sub-areas, the items available for
inspection, and the sub-area's probability of selection for inspection.
Sub-area scores are determined by deducting points for deficiencies,
including H&S deficiencies, based on the importance (weight) of the
item, the criticality of the deficiency, and the severity of the
deficiency. The maximum deduction for a single deficiency cannot exceed
the point cap for the inspectable area where the deficiency is observed
and a sub-area score cannot be less than zero. Also, points will be
deducted only for one deficiency of the same kind within a sub-area.
For example, if multiple deficiencies for broken windows are recorded,
only the most severe deficiency observed (or one of the most severe, if
there are multiple deficiencies with the same level of severity) will
result in a point deduction.
8. Essential Weights and Levels
The process of scoring a project's physical condition depends on
the weights, levels, and associated values of the following quantities:
Weights for the 5 inspectable areas (site, building
exteriors, building systems, common areas, and dwelling units).
Weights for inspectable items within inspectable areas (8
to 17 per area).
Criticality levels (critical, very important, important,
contributes, and slight contribution) plus their associated values for
deficiencies within areas inspected.
Severity levels (3, 2, and 1) and their associated values
for deficiencies.
Health and safety deductions (exigent/fire safety and non-
life threatening for all inspectable areas).
Point loss cap, defined at the inspectable area level.
9. Normalized Area Weights
Area weights are used to obtain a weighted average of area scores.
A project's overall physical condition score is a weighted average of
all inspectable area scores. The nominal weights are:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weight
Inspectable area (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site....................................................... 15
Building Exterior.......................................... 15
Building Systems........................................... 20
Common Areas............................................... 15
Dwelling Units............................................. 35
------------------------------------------------------------------------
These weights are assigned for all inspections when all inspectable
items are present for each area and for each building and unit. All of
the inspectable items may not be present in every inspectable area.
When items are missing in an area, the area weights are modified to
reflect the missing items so that within that area they will add up to
100 percent. Area weights are recalculated when some inspectable items
are missing in one or more area(s).
Although rare, it is possible that an inspectable area could have
no inspectable items available; for example, there could be no common
areas in the inspected residential buildings and no common buildings.
In this case, the weight of the ``common areas'' would be zero percent
and its original 15 percent weight would be equitably redistributed to
the other inspectable areas. The 15 percent is redistributed by
totaling the weights of other inspectable areas (15 +
[[Page 47721]]
15 + 20 + 35 = 85) and dividing the weights of each by that amount
(0.85, which is 85% expressed as a decimal). The modified weights are
17.6 percent, 17.6 percent and 23.5 percent, zero percent, and 41.2
percent for site, building exterior, building systems, common areas,
and units, respectively, and they add up to 100 percent.
10. Area and Sub-Area Scores
For inspectable areas with sub-areas (all areas except sites), the
inspectable area score is a weighted average of the sub-area scores
within that area. The scoring protocol determines the amenity weight
for the site and each sub-area as noted in Section VI.1 under the
definition for normalized sub-area weight. For example, a property with
no fencing or gates in the inspectable area of the site would have an
amenity weight of 90 percent or 0.9 (100 percent minus 10 percent for
lack of fencing and gates), and a single dwelling unit with all items
available for inspection, except a call-for-aid would have an amenity
weight of 0.98 or 98 percent (100 percent minus 2 percent for lack of
call-for-aid). A call-for-aid is a system designed to provide elderly
residents the opportunity to call for help in the event of an
emergency.
The amenity weight excludes all health and safety items. Each
deficiency as weighted and normalized are subtracted from the sub-area
or site-weighted amenity score. Sub-area and site area scores are
further reduced for any observed health and safety deficiencies. These
deductions are taken at the site, building, or unit level. At this
point, a control is applied to prevent a negative site, building, or
unit score. The control ensures that no single building or unit can
affect an area score more than its weighted share.
11. Overall Project Score
The overall project score is the weighted average of the five
inspectable area scores, with the five areas weighted by their
normalized weights. Normalized area weights reflect both the initial
weights and the relative weights between areas of inspectable items
actually present. For reporting purposes, the number of possible points
is the normalized area weight adjusted by multiplying by 100 so that
the possible points for the five areas add up to 100. In the Physical
Inspection Report for each project that is sent to the PHA, the
following items are listed:
Normalized weights as the ``possible points'' by area;
The area scores, taking into account the points deducted
for observed deficiencies;
The deductions for H&S for each inspectable area; and
The overall project score.
The Physical Inspection Report allows the PHA and the project
manager to see the magnitude of the points lost by inspectable area and
the impact on the score of the H&S deficiencies.
12. Examples of Physical Condition Score Calculations
The physical inspection scoring is deficiency based. All projects
start with 100 points. Each deficiency observed reduces the score by an
amount dependent on the importance and severity of the deficiency, the
number of buildings and units inspected, the inspectable items actually
present to be inspected, and the relative weights between inspectable
items and inspectable areas.
The calculation of a physical condition score is illustrated in the
examples provided below. The examples go through a number of interim
stages in calculating the score, illustrating how sub-area scores are
calculated for a single project, how the sub-area scores are rolled up
into area scores, how the point cap is applied, and how area scores are
combined to calculate the overall project score. One particular
deficiency, missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers, is carried
through the example.
As will be seen, the deduction starts as a percent of the sub-area.
Then the area score is decreased considerably in the final overall
project score since it is averaged across other sub-areas (building
systems in the example) and then averaged across the five inspectable
areas. Last, as applicable, the points deducted due to the observance
of a particular deficiency are reduced by the application of the point
loss cap. Although interim results in the examples are rounded to one
decimal, only the final results are rounded for actual calculations.
Following this section, another example is given specifically for
public housing projects to show how project scores are rolled up into
the PHAS physical indicator score for the PHA as a whole.
Example #1. This example illustrates how the score for a sub-
area of building systems is calculated based on the following
features.
Consider a project for which the five inspectable areas are
present and during the inspection of a residential building with 28
units missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers are observed. This
deficiency has a severity level of 3, which has a severity weight of
1.00 (see Item 1 of this section); a criticality level of 5, which
has a criticality weight of 5 (see Item 1 of this section); and an
item weight of 15.5. The amount of the points deducted is the item
weight (15.5), multiplied by the criticality weight (5), multiplied
by the severity weight (1), which equals 77.5.
If this sub-area has all inspectable items, the amenity weight
for the sub-area adds to 100%. If missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers is the only deficiency observed, the initial
proportionate score for this sub-area (building systems in building
one) is the amenity score minus the deficiency points, normalized to
a 100-point basis. In this instance the initial proportionate sub-
area score is 100 - 77.5 = 22.5 x (100 / 100) = 22.5. Because the
point deduction for the missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers
is 77.5, this deficiency accounts for 77.5% of the sub-area score.
Additional deficiencies or H&S deficiencies would be calculated in
the same manner and further decrease the sub-area score, and if the
result is less than zero (a negative number) the score is set to
zero.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Element Associated value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amenity score............................. 100.00
Deficiency points......................... 77.5
Calculation for the initial proportionate 100.00 - 77.5 = 22.5
score.
Normalizing factor........................ 100 / 100 = 1
Normalized initial sub-area score......... 22.5 x 1= 22.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example #2. This example illustrates how the building systems
inspectable area score is calculated from the sub-area score.
Consider a property with two buildings with the following
characteristics:
Building One (from example 1 above):
-- 28 units
-- 100 percent amenity weight for items that are present to be
inspected in building systems
-- Building systems sub-area score is 22.5 points
Building Two:
-- 2 units
-- 62 percent amenity weight for items that are present to be
inspected in the building's systems
-- Building systems sub-area score is 100.0 points
The score for the building systems area is the weighted average of
the individual scores for each building's systems. Each building
systems score is weighted by the number of units and the percent of the
weight for items present to be inspected in the building systems
inspectable area.
The building systems area score is determined as follows. First,
the unit weighted average for each building is computed by multiplying
the number of units in the building by the amenity weight for that
building. The unit weighted average for each building then is divided
by the total of the building weights for all buildings in the property
to determine the proportion of building weight for each building.
Multiplying the proportion of building weight by the initial sub-area
score for the building
[[Page 47722]]
produces the building systems area score. The building systems area
score for the property is the sum of the building systems area score
for each building.
In this example, the buildings systems area score for the property
is 25.7.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit
Building Number of x Amenity = weighted
units weight average
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One............................................................. 28 ... 1.00 ... 28.0
Two............................................................. 2 ... .62 ... 1.24
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 30 ... ........... ... 29.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sum of Proportion
Unit weighted average / building = of building
weights weight
------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.0................................ ... 29.24 ... .958
1.24................................ ... 29.24 ... .042
29.24............................... ... ........... ... ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Building
Proportion of building weight x Initial sub- = systems
area score Area score
------------------------------------------------------------------------
.958................................ ... 22.5 ... 21.5
.042................................ ... 100.0 ... 4.2
25.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As shown in the calculations above, the proportion of building
weight allocated to building one is 95.8% (28.0 / 29.24 = .958). A
building systems area score of 25.7 indicates that the point deduction
for the missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers in building one is
74.2 points: the number of points deducted at the sub-area (from
example 1) multiplied by the proportion of building weight
allocated to building one, or 77.5 x .958 = 74.2.
Example #3. This example illustrates how the overall weighted
average for the building systems area amenity weight is calculated.
The unit weighted average of amenity weight for each building is
computed by dividing the unit weighted average for the building (as
calculated in example 2) by the total number of units in
the property. Normalizing the unit weighted average of amenity
weights for each building by multiplying by 100 results in the
overall building systems weighted average amenity weight. In this
example, the overall building systems weighted average amenity
weight for the property is 97.4.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall
Unit building
Unit weighted Normalized systems
Building weighted / Total units = average of x to a 100 = weighted
average in property amenity point basis average
weights amenity
weight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One................................................................ 28.0 ... 30 ... .933 ... 100 ... 93.3
Two................................................................ 1.24 ... 30 ... .041 ... 100 ... 4.1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................................... 29.24 ... ........... ... ........... ... ........... ... 97.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example #4. This example illustrates how the score for a
property is calculated. Consider a property with the following
characteristics. All of the values are presumed except for the
values buildings systems which were calculated in the preceding
examples.
Site
--Score: 90 points
--67.5 percent weighted average amenity weight
--Nominal area weight: 15 percent
Building Exteriors
--Score: 85 points
--100 percent weighted average amenity weight
--Nominal area weight: 15 percent
Building Systems (from Examples 2 and 3)
--Score: 25.7 points
--97.4 percent weighted average amenity weight
--Nominal area weight: 20 percent
Common Areas
--Score: 77 points
--20 percent weighted average amenity weight
--Nominal area weight: 15 percent
Dwelling Units
--Score: 85 points
--94 weighted average amenity weight
--Nominal area weight: 35 percent
To calculate the property score, the adjusted area weights for all
five inspectable areas are determined. The amenity weights for each of
the five inspectable areas shown in the table below are all presumed,
except for the amenity weight for building systems that was calculated
in the three examples above.
The property score is determined as follows. The amenity weighted
average is computed by multiplying the nominal area weight for the
inspectable area (see Item 1 of this Section) by the amenity weight
(presumed for the example). Next, the amenity weighted averages for the
five inspectable areas are added to determine the total adjusted weight
(80.5 in this example) to determine the maximum possible points for the
inspectable area, each amenity weighted average is divided by the total
adjusted weight and then multiplied by 100 to
[[Page 47723]]
normalize the result. The sum of the five maximum inspectable area
points is the total number of possible points for the property. In this
example, the maximum possible points, 99.9, was rounded to 100.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amenity Total Normalized Maximum
Inspectable area Nominal x Amenity = weighted / adjusted x to 100 = Possible
area weight weight average weight point scale area points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site............................................. 15 ... 0.675 ... 10.1 ... 80.5 ... 100 ... 12.5
Building Exterior................................ 15 ... 1.00 ... 15.0 ... 80.5 ... 100 ... 18.6
Building Systems................................. 20 ... 0.974 ... 19.5 ... 80.5 ... 100 ... 24.2
Common Areas..................................... 15 ... 0.20 ... 3.0 ... 80.5 ... 100 ... 3.7
Dwelling Units................................... 35 ... 0.94 ... 32.9 ... 80.5 ... 100 ... 40.9
Total........................................ ........... ... ........... ... 80.5 ... ........... ... ........... ... 100.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the final property score is calculated, the points deducted
for each deficiency are checked against the point loss cap in the
applicable inspectable area to assure that no single deficiency results
in the deduction of too many points. For the missing/damaged/expired
fire extinguishers in building one, the points deducted under building
systems will be the result of multiplying the number of building
systems points deducted for the deficiency (74.2 as determined in
example 2) by the proportion of total points allocated to the
building systems inspectable area (.242 from the table above). In this
example, the points deducted for this deficiency would be 74.2 x .242 =
18.0. Because the point loss cap for building systems is 10 points,
this 18.0 point deduction exceeds the cap. Therefore, the total points
deducted due to the missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers
deficiency in building one is reduced to 10.
There are four steps to implement the point deduction in the final
score. First, the points lost at the area level are set. For this
property, the building systems points deducted due to missing/damaged/
expired fire extinguishers is set by dividing the point cap (10) by the
proportion of total points allocated to building systems (.242), or 10
/ .242 = 41.3.
Second, the building systems sub-area weight for building one is
set. This is determined by dividing the points lost at the area level
(41.3) by the proportion of building weight for building one (.958), or
41.3 / .958 = 43.1.
Third, the building one building systems sub-area score is
recalculated by summing the building systems deficiencies in building
one. In example 1, the missing/damaged/expired fire
extinguishers is the only deficiency in this sub-area. Therefore, the
recalculated sub-area score for building one building systems is the
amenity score (100) minus the building systems sub-area deficiency
points (43.1), or 100 - 43.1 = 56.9.
The last step in the application of the point loss cap is the
determination of the building systems area score for the property.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit Sum of the Initial Building
Building Number of x Amenity = weighted / building x proportionate = systems
units weight average weights score area score
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One............................................ 28 ... 1.00 ... 28.0 ... 29.24 ... 56.9 ... 54.5
Two............................................ 2 ... 0.62 ... 1.24 ... 29.24 ... 100.0 ... 4.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total...................................... 30 ... ........... ... 29.24 ... ........... ... ............. ... 58.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The recalculated building systems area score is 58.7 points, and
will be rounded to 59. This area score is used to calculate the overall
property score.
The nominal possible points for each inspectable area is multiplied
by the amenity weight, divided by the total adjusted amenity weight,
and normalized to a 100-point basis, in order to produce the possible
points for the inspectable area. The property score is the sum of all
weighted inspectable area scores for that property. The example below
reflects how the missing/damaged/expired fire extinguishers deficiency
from example 1 in building systems impacts the overall
property score. In this example, the property score of 78.9 is rounded
to 79.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normalized Project
Area to a 100 weighted
Inspectable area points x Area score / point = area
scale scores
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site......................................... 12.5 ... 90 ... 100 ... 11.2
Building Exterior............................ 18.6 ... 85 ... 100 ... 15.8
Building Systems............................. 24.2 ... 59 ... 100 ... 14.3
Common Areas................................. 3.7 ... 77 ... 100 ... 2.8
Dwelling Units............................... 40.9 ... 85 ... 100 ... 34.8
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.................................... 100.0 ... ........... ... ........... ... 78.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 47724]]
13. Computing the PHAS Physical Inspection Score
The physical inspection score for the PHAS for a PHA is the
weighted average of the PHA's individual project physical inspection
scores, where the weights are the number of units in each project
divided by the total number of units in all projects for the PHA.
Example: Project 1 has a score of 79 and has 30 units (from the
example above)
Project 2 has a score of 88 and has 600 units.
The overall PHAS score is computed as follows:
Score = [79 x 30/(30+600)] + [88 x 600/(30+600)]
= 3.76 + 83.81
= 87.57 that rounds to an overall physical inspection score of
88.
14. Examples of Sampling Weights for Buildings
The determination of which buildings will be inspected is a two-
phase process. In Phase 1 of the process, all common buildings and
buildings that contain sampled dwelling units that will be inspected
are included in the sampled buildings that will be inspected. (Dwelling
units are sampled with equal probabilities at random from all
buildings.) When all buildings in a project are not selected in the
building sample through Phase 1, Phase 2 is used to increase the size
of the building sample. In Phase 2, the additional buildings that are
to be included in the sample are selected with equal probabilities so
that the total residential building sample size is the lesser of either
(1) the dwelling unit sample size, or (2) the number of residential
buildings.
To illustrate the process for sampling buildings, two examples are
provided below:
Example #1. This example illustrates a project with two
buildings for which both buildings are sampled with certainty.
Building 1 has 10 dwelling units and building 2 has 20 dwelling
units, for a total of 30 dwelling units. The target dwelling unit
sample size for a project with 30 dwelling units is 15. Thus, the
sampling ratio for this project is the total number of dwelling
units divided by the unit sample size, or 30 / 15 = 2. This means
that every second dwelling unit will be selected. The number of
residential buildings to be inspected is the minimum of 15 (the
dwelling unit sample) and 2 (the number of residential buildings).
Thus, 2 residential buildings will be inspected. Since both
buildings have at least 2 dwelling units, both buildings are certain
to be selected for inspection in Phase 1. Since all buildings were
selected in Phase 1 of sampling, Phase 2 is not invoked. Both
buildings will then have a selection probability of 1.00 and a
sampling weight of 1.00.
Example #2. This example illustrates a project with some
buildings selected in Phase 1, other buildings selected in Phase 2,
and some buildings that are not selected at all.
The project is comprised of 22 residential buildings. Two of the
buildings each have 10 dwelling units and the other 20 buildings are
single-family dwelling units, for a total of 40 dwelling units (2 x
10) + 20 = 40. The target dwelling unit sample size for a project
with 40 dwelling units is 16. The sampling ratio for this project is
the total number of units divided by the unit sample size, or 40 /
16 = 2.5. In accordance with the inspection protocol of inspecting
the minimum of the dwelling unit sample (16) and the number of
residential buildings (22), 16 of the residential buildings will be
inspected for this project.
In Phase 1 of sampling, the two buildings with 10 dwelling units
are selected with certainty since each building has more than 2.5
dwelling units. Each of the single-family buildings has a 1 / 2.5 or
0.40 probability of selection in Phase 1.
Assume that both multi-unit buildings and eight of the single-
family buildings (10 buildings in all) are selected in Phase 1. This
leaves 12 single-family buildings available for selection in Phase
2. Since 16 residential buildings will be inspected, the sample of
10 buildings selected in Phase 1 falls six buildings short of a full
sample. Therefore, six buildings will be selected in Phase 2. Since
Phase 2 sampling will select 6 of the 12 previously unselected
buildings, each building not selected in Phase 1 will have a six in
12 (0.50) probability of selection in Phase 2.
The two multi-unit buildings each have a sampling probability
calculated as follows:
Sampling probability = 1.00 + ((1.00 - 1.00) x 0.50) = 1.00. The
sampling weight for these buildings is 1.
The single-family buildings each have a sampling probability
calculated as follows:
Sampling probability = 0.40 + ((1.00 - 0.40) x 0.50) = 0.70. The
sampling weight of selected single-family buildings is 1 / 0.70 =
1.43.
15. Accessibility Questions
HUD reviews particular elements during the physical inspection to
determine possible indications of noncompliance with the Fair Housing
Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 U.S.C. 794). More specifically, during the physical
inspection, the inspector will record if: (1) There is a wheelchair-
accessible route to and from the main ground floor entrance of the
buildings inspected; (2) the main entrance for every building inspected
is at least 32 inches wide, measured between the door and the opposite
door jamb; (3) there is an accessible route to all exterior common
areas; and (4) for multi-story buildings that are inspected, the
interior hallways to all inspected units and common areas are at least
36 inches wide. These items are recorded, but do not affect the score.
IV. Environmental Review
This notice provides operating instructions and procedures in
connection with activity under the Public Housing Assessment System
regulations at 24 DFR part 902 that have previously been subject to the
required environmental review. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(4),
this notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).
Dated: July 26, 2012.
Sandra B. Henriquez,
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
Appendix I: Item Weights and Criticalities
Area--Site
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Level
item ---------------
Inspectable item weight Observable deficiency Criticality H&S
(percent) 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fencing and Gates................. 10.0 Holes/Missing Sections/ 3 ... X ... .....
Damaged/Falling/Leaning
(Non-security/Non-
safety).
10.0 Holes/Missing Sections/ 4 X X X NLT
Damaged/Falling/Leaning
(Security/Safety).
Grounds........................... 12.5 Erosion/Rutting Areas.... 4 ... X X NLT
12.5 Overgrown/Penetrating 3 ... X X .....
Vegetation.
12.5 Ponding/Site Drainage.... 4 ... X X .....
Health & Safety................... 12.5 Air Quality--Sewer Odor 3 ... ... X NLT
Detected.
12.5 Air Quality--Propane/ 5 ... ... X LT
Natural Gas/Methane Gas
Detected.
[[Page 47725]]
12.5 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Exposed Wires/Open
Panels.
12.5 Electrical Hazards--Water 5 ... ... X LT
Leaks on/near Electrical
Equipment.
12.5 Flammable/Combustible 3 ... ... X NLT
Materials--Improperly
Stored.
12.5 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Outdoors.
0.0 Hazards--Other........... 3 ... ... X NLT
12.5 Hazards--Sharp Edges..... 3 ... ... X NLT
12.5 Hazards--Tripping........ 3 ... ... X NLT
12.5 Infestation--Insects..... 3 ... ... X NLT
12.5 Infestation--Rats/Mice/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Vermin.
Mailboxes/Project Signs........... 1.0 Mailbox Missing/Damaged.. 2 ... ... X .....
1.0 Signs Damaged............ 2 X ... ... .....
Market Appeal..................... 8.0 Graffiti................. 4 X X X .....
8.0 Litter................... 4 ... X ... .....
Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads...... 8.5 Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/ 4 ... X X .....
Loose Materials/Potholes.
8.5 Ponding.................. 4 ... X X .....
Play Areas and Equipment.......... 12.5 Damaged/Broken Equipment. 3 X X X NLT
12.5 Deteriorated Play Area 3 ... X X .....
Surface.
Refuse Disposal................... 12.5 Broken/Damaged Enclosure-- 3 ... X ... .....
Inadequate Outside
Storage Space.
Retaining Walls................... 10.0 Damaged/Falling/Leaning.. 4 X ... X NLT
Storm Drainage.................... 12.5 Damaged/Obstructed....... 5 ... X X .....
Walkways/Steps.................... 12.5 Broken/Missing Hand 3 ... ... X NLT
Railing.
12.5 Cracks/Settlement/Heaving 3 ... X ... .....
12.5 Spalling................. 3 X X ... .....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Site are present. Item weights would be adjusted
accordingly when items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal
to 12.5%.
3) ``X'' in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling
for immediate attention or remedy).
Area--Building Exterior
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Level
item ---------------
Inspectable item weight Observable deficiency Criticality H&S
(percent) 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doors............................. 18.4 Damaged Frames/Threshold/ 2 ... X X NLT
Lintels/Trim.
18.4 Damaged Hardware/Locks... 3 ... X X .....
18.4 Damaged Surface (Holes/ 4 ... X X .....
Paint/Rust/Glass).
18.4 Damaged/Missing Screen/ 3 X ... X NLT
Storm/Security Door.
18.4 Deteriorated/Missing 4 ... ... X .....
Caulking/Seals.
18.4 Missing Door............. 5 ... ... X .....
FHEO.............................. 0.0 FHEO--Main Entrance Less 5 ... ... X .....
Than 32'' Wide.
0.0 FHEO--Obstructed or 5 ... ... X .....
Missing Accessibility
Route.
Fire Escapes...................... 18.4 Blocked Egress/Ladders... 5 ... ... X LT
18.4 Visibly Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Components.
Foundations....................... 18.4 Cracks/Gaps.............. 5 ... X X .....
18.4 Spalling/Exposed Rebar... 4 ... X X .....
Health and Safety................. 18.4 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Exposed Wires/Open
Panels.
18.4 Electrical Hazards--Water 5 ... ... X LT
Leaks on/near Electrical
Equipment.
18.4 Emergency Fire Exits-- 5 ... ... X LT
Emergency/Fire Exits
Blocked/Unusable.
18.4 Emergency Fire Exits-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Exit Signs.
18.4 Flammable/Combustible 3 ... ... X NLT
Materials--Improperly
Stored.
18.4 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Outdoors.
0.0 Hazards--Other........... 3 ... ... X NLT
18.4 Hazards--Sharp Edges..... 3 ... ... X NLT
0.0 Hazards--Tripping........ 3 ... ... X NLT
18.4 Infestation--Insects..... 3 ... ... X NLT
18.4 Infestation--Rats/Mice/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Vermin.
Lighting.......................... 11.5 Broken Fixtures/Bulbs.... 4 ... X X .....
Roofs............................. 18.4 Damaged/Clogged Drains... 5 ... X X .....
18.4 Damaged Soffits/Fascia/ 4 X ... X .....
Soffit Vents.
[[Page 47726]]
18.4 Damaged Vents............ 4 X ... X .....
18.4 Damaged/Torn Membrane/ 5 ... X X .....
Missing Ballast.
18.4 Missing/Damaged 3 X X X .....
Components from
Downspout/Gutter.
18.4 Missing/Damaged Shingles. 5 X X X .....
18.4 Ponding.................. 4 ... ... X .....
Walls............................. 14.9 Cracks/Gaps.............. 5 ... X X .....
14.9 Damaged Chimneys......... 4 X X X NLT
14.9 Missing/Damaged Caulking/ 4 X X ... .....
Mortar.
14.9 Missing Pieces/Holes/ 4 ... X X .....
Spalling.
14.9 Stained/Peeling/Needs 3 X X ... .....
Paint.
Windows........................... 0.0 Cracked/Broken/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Panes.
0.0 Damaged/Missing Screens.. 2 X ... ... .....
0.0 Damaged Sills/Frames/ 5 X X ... .....
Lintels/Trim.
0.0 Missing/Deteriorated 5 X ... X .....
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
0.0 Peeling/Needs Paint...... 2 X ... ... .....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Building Exterior are present. Item weights would be
adjusted accordingly when items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal
to 18.4%.
3) ``X'' in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling
for immediate attention or remedy).
Area--Building Systems
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Level
item ---------------
Inspectable item weight Observable deficiency Criticality H&S
(percent) 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Water.................... 15.5 General Rust/Corrosion on 2 ... ... X NLT
Heater Chimney.
15.5 Leaking Central Water 4 ... ... X .....
Supply.
15.5 Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
15.5 Missing Pressure Relief 5 ... ... X NLT
Valve.
15.5 Water Supply Inoperable.. 5 ... ... X NLT
Electrical System................. 15.5 Blocked Access/Improper 3 ... ... X NLT
Storage.
15.5 Burnt Breakers........... 4 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Evidence of Leaks/ 5 ... ... X NLT
Corrosion.
15.5 Frayed Wiring............ 5 ... ... X .....
15.5 Missing Breakers/Fuses... 5 ... ... X LT
15.5 Missing Covers........... 5 ... ... X LT
Elevators 5.0 Inoperable............... 5 ... ... X NLT
Emergency Power................... 2.0 Auxiliary Lighting 5 ... ... X .....
Inoperable.
2.0 Run-Up Records/ 4 ... X X .....
Documentation Not
Available.
Fire Protection................... 15.5 Missing Sprinkler Head... 5 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Missing/Damaged/Expired 5 X X X LT
Extinguishers.
Health & Safety................... 15.5 Air Quality--Mold and/or 3 ... ... X NLT
Mildew Observed.
15.5 Air Quality--Propane/ 5 ... ... X LT
Natural Gas/Methane Gas
Detected.
15.5 Air Quality--Sewer Odor 3 ... ... X NLT
Detected.
15.5 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Exposed Wires/Open
Panels.
15.5 Electrical Hazards--Water 5 ... ... X LT
Leaks on/near Electrical
Equipment.
15.5 Elevator--Tripping....... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Emergency Fire Exits-- 5 ... ... X LT
Emergency/Fire Exits
Blocked/Unusable.
15.5 Emergency Fire Exits-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Exit Signs.
15.5 Flammable/Combustible 3 ... ... X NLT
Materials--Improperly
Stored.
15.5 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Indoors.
15.5 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Outdoors.
0.0 Hazards--Other........... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Hazards--Sharp Edges..... 3 ... ... X NLT
0.0 Hazards--Tripping........ 3 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Infestation--Insects..... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.5 Infestation--Rats/Mice/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Vermin.
HVAC.............................. 15.5 Boiler/Pump/Cooling 4 X ... X .....
System Leaks.
15.5 Fuel Supply Leaks........ 4 ... ... X NLT
15.5 General Rust/Corrosion... 2 ... X X NLT
15.5 Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
Roof Exhaust System............... 15.5 Roof Exhaust Fan(s) 3 ... ... X .....
Inoperable.
[[Page 47727]]
Sanitary System................... 15.5 Broken/Leaking/Clogged 5 ... ... X NLT
Pipes or Drains.
15.5 Missing Drain/Cleanout/ 3 ... ... X .....
Manhole Covers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Building System are present. Item weights would be
adjusted accordingly when items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal
to 15.5%.
3) ``X'' in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling
for immediate attention or remedy).
Area--Common Areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Level
Inspectable item location item weight Observable deficiency Criticality --------------- H&S
(percent) 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basement/Garage/Carport........... 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 3 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 4 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 5 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 4 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Closet/Utility Mechanical......... 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X NLT
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
[[Page 47728]]
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Community Room.................... 10 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
10 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
10 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
10 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
10 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
10 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
10 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
10 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
10 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X NLT
10 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
10 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
10 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
10 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
10 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
10 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
10 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
10 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
10 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
10 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
10 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
10 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
10 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
10 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
10 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
10 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
10 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
10 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
[[Page 47729]]
10 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
10 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
10 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
10 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
10 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Day Care.......................... 10 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
10 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
10 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
10 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
10 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
10 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
10 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
10 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
10 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
10 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
10 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
10 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
10 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
10 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
10 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
10 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
10 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
10 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
10 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
10 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
10 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
10 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
10 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
10 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
10 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
10 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
10 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
10 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
10 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
10 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
10 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
10 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
FHEO.............................. 0 FHEO--Multi-story 5 ... ... X .....
Building Hallways/Common
Areas Less Than 36''
Wide.
0 FHEO--Routes Obstructed 5 ... ... X .....
or Inaccessible to
Wheelchair.
Halls/Corridors/Stairs............ 10 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
10 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
10 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
10 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
10 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
10 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
10 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
10 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
10 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
10 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
10 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
10 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
[[Page 47730]]
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
10 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
10 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
10 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
10 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Graffiti................. 4 X X X .....
10 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
10 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
10 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
10 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
10 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
10 Mailbox--Missing/Damaged. 2 ... ... X .....
10 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
10 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
10 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
10 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
10 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
10 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
10 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
10 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
10 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
10 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
10 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
10 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
10 Pedestrian/Wheelchair 3 ... X X .....
Ramp.
Health & Safety................... 10 Air Quality--Mold and/or 3 ... ... X NLT
Mildew Observed.
10 Air Quality--Propane/ 5 ... ... X LT
Natural Gas/Methane Gas
Detected.
10 Air Quality--Sewer Odor 3 ... ... X NLT
Detected.
10 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Exposed Wires/Open
Panels.
10 Electrical Hazards--Water 5 ... ... X LT
Leaks on/near Electrical
Equipment.
10 Emergency Fire Exits-- 3 ... ... X LT
Emergency/Fire Exits
Blocked/Unusable.
10 Emergency Fire Exits-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Exit Signs.
10 Flammable/Combustible 3 ... ... X NLT
Materials--Improperly
Stored.
10 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Indoors.
10 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Outdoors.
0 Hazards--Other........... 3 ... ... X NLT
10 Hazards--Sharp Edges..... 3 ... ... X NLT
0 Hazards--Tripping........ 3 ... ... X NLT
10 Infestation--Insects..... 3 ... ... X NLT
10 Infestation--Rats/Mice/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Vermin.
Kitchen........................... 10 Cabinets--Missing/Damaged 2 ... X X .....
10 Call for Aid--Inoperable. 3 ... ... X NLT
10 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
10 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
10 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
10 Countertops--Missing/ 2 ... X ... .....
Damaged.
10 Dishwasher/Garbage 2 ... X ... .....
Disposal--Inoperable.
10 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
10 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
10 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
10 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
10 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
10 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
10 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
10 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
[[Page 47731]]
10 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
10 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
10 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
10 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
10 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 GFI--Inoperable.......... 5 ... ... X NLT
10 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
10 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
10 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
10 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
10 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
10 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
10 Plumbing--Clogged Drains. 4 X ... X NLT
10 Plumbing--Leaking Faucet/ 3 X ... X NLT
Pipes.
10 Range/Stove--Missing/ 3 X X X .....
Damaged/Inoperable.
10 Range Hood/Exhaust Fans-- 2 X ... X .....
Excessive Grease/
Inoperable.
10 Refrigerator--Damaged/ 3 X ... X .....
Inoperable.
10 Sink--Missing/Damaged.... 5 X ... X NLT
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
10 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
10 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
10 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
10 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
10 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
10 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
10 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
10 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
10 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
10 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
10 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Laundry Room...................... 10 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
10 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
10 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
10 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
10 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
10 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
10 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
10 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
10 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
10 Dryer Vent--Missing/ 3 ... ... X .....
Damaged/Inoperable.
10 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
10 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
10 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
10 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
10 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
10 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
10 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
10 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 GFI--Inoperable.......... 5 ... ... X NLT
10 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
10 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
10 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
[[Page 47732]]
10 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
10 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
10 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
10 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
10 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
10 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
10 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
10 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
10 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
10 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
10 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
10 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
10 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
10 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
10 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
10 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
10 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Lobby............................. 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
5 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
5 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
5 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
5 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Office............................ 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
[[Page 47733]]
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
5 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
5 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
5 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
5 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Other Community Spaces............ 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
5 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
5 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
5 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
[[Page 47734]]
5 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Patio/Porch/Balcony............... 5 Baluster/Side Railings-- 3 ... ... X .....
Damaged.
5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Pools and Related Structures...... 5 Pools--Damaged/Not 5 ... ... X .....
Intact--Fencing or
Gate(s).
5 Pools--Inoperable........ 2 ... ... X .....
Restrooms/Pool Structures......... 5 Call for Aid--Inoperable. 3 ... ... X NLT
5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
[[Page 47735]]
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 GFI--Inoperable.......... 5 ... ... X NLT
5 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
5 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
5 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
5 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
5 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
5 Lavatory Sink--Damaged/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
5 Plumbing--Clogged Drains. 5 X ... X NLT
5 Plumbing--Leaking Faucet/ 4 X ... X NLT
Pipes.
5 Restroom Cabinet--Damaged/ 2 X ... ... .....
Missing.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Shower/Tub--Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Missing.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Ventilation/Exhaust 4 ... X ... .....
System--Inoperable.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Water Closet/Toilet-- 5 ... X X .....
Damaged/Clogged/Missing.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Storage........................... 5 Ceiling--Bulging/Buckling 4 ... ... X .....
5 Ceiling--Holes/Missing 4 X X X .....
Tiles/Panels/Cracks.
5 Ceiling--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Ceiling--Mold/Mildew/ 2 X ... X .....
Water Stains/Water
Damage.
5 Doors--Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
5 Doors--Damaged Hardware/ 3 X X X .....
Locks.
5 Doors--Damaged/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Screen/Storm/Security
Door.
5 Doors--Damaged Surface 3 ... X X .....
(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass).
5 Doors--Deteriorated/ 4 ... ... X .....
Missing Seals (Entry
Only).
5 Doors--Missing Door...... 5 X X X .....
5 Electrical--Blocked 3 ... ... X NLT
Access to Electrical
Panel.
5 Electrical--Burnt 4 ... ... X NLT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Evidence of 5 ... ... X NLT
Leaks/Corrosion.
5 Electrical--Frayed Wiring 5 ... ... X .....
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Breakers.
5 Electrical--Missing 5 ... ... X LT
Covers.
5 Floors--Bulging/Buckling. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Floors--Soft Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged.
5 Floors--Hard Floor 4 X X X .....
Covering Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
5 Floors--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Floors--Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .....
Subfloor.
[[Page 47736]]
5 Floors--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 HVAC--Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
5 HVAC--Inoperable......... 5 ... ... X .....
5 HVAC--Noisy/Vibrating/ 4 X ... ... .....
Leaking.
5 HVAC--Convection/Radiant 2 ... ... X .....
Heat System Covers
Missing/Damaged.
5 HVAC--General Rust/ 2 X X X .....
Corrosion.
5 Lighting--Missing/Damaged/ 4 ... X X .....
Inoperable Fixture.
5 Outlets/Switches/Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates--Missing/Broken.
0 Smoke Detector--Missing/ 5 ... ... X LT
Inoperable.
5 Stairs--Broken/Damaged/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Steps.
5 Stairs--Broken/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Hand Railing.
5 Walls--Bulging/Buckling.. 4 ... ... X .....
5 Walls--Damaged........... 3 X X X .....
5 Walls--Damaged/ 1 X X X .....
Deteriorated Trim.
5 Walls--Peeling/Needs 1 X X ... .....
Paint.
5 Walls--Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .....
Stains/Water Damage.
5 Windows--Cracked/Broken/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing Panes.
5 Windows--Damaged/Missing 2 X ... ... .....
Screens.
5 Windows--Damaged Sills/ 4 X X ... .....
Frames/Lintels/Trim.
5 Windows--Missing/ 5 X ... X .....
Deteriorated Caulking/
Seals/Glazing Compound.
5 Windows--Inoperable/Not 3 X ... X NLT
Lockable.
5 Windows--Peeling/Needs 1 X ... ... .....
Paint.
5 Windows--Security Bars 5 ... ... X LT
Prevent Egress.
Trash Collection Areas............ 5 Chutes--Damaged/Missing 3 ... X ... .....
Components.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Common Areas are present. Item weights would be
adjusted accordingly when items are not applicable (N/A).
2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal
to 10%.
3) ``X'' in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
4) Only Level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling
for immediate attention or remedy).
Area--Units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Level
Inspectable item item weight Observable deficiency Criticality --------------- H&S
(percent) 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bathroom........................ 15.0 Bathroom Cabinets-- 2 X ... ...
Damaged/Missing.
15.0 Lavatory Sink--Damaged/ 3 X ... X NLT
Missing.
15.0 Plumbing--Clogged 5 X ... X NLT
Drains.
15.0 Plumbing--Leaking 4 X ... X NLT
Faucet/Pipes.
15.0 Shower/Tub--Damaged/ 4 X X X NLT
Missing.
15.0 Ventilation/Exhaust 4 ... X ... .........
System--Inoperable.
15.0 Water Closet/Toilet-- 5 ... X X NLT
Damaged/Clogged/
Missing.
Call-for-Aid.................... 2.0 Inoperable............. 3 ... ... X NLT
Ceiling......................... 4.0 Bulging/Buckling....... 4 ... ... X .........
4.0 Holes/Missing Tiles/ 4 X X X .........
Panels/Cracks.
4.0 Peeling/Needs Paint.... 1 X X ... .........
4.0 Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .........
Stains/Water Damage.
Doors........................... 4.5 Damaged Frames/ 2 ... X X NLT
Threshold/Lintels/Trim.
4.5 Damaged Hardware/Locks. 3 X X X .........
4.5 Damaged/Missing Screen/ 3 X ... X NLT
Storm/Security Door.
4.5 Damaged Surface (Holes/ 3 ... X X .........
Paint/Rust/Glass).
4.5 Deteriorated/Missing 4 ... ... X .........
Seals (Entry Only).
4.5 Missing Door........... 5 X X X NLT
Electrical System............... 10.0 Blocked Access to 3 ... ... X NLT
Electrical Panel.
10.0 Burnt Breakers......... 4 ... ... X NLT
10.0 Evidence of Leaks/ 5 ... ... X NLT
Corrosion.
10.0 Frayed Wiring.......... 5 ... ... X .........
10.0 GFI--Inoperable........ 5 ... ... X NLT
10.0 Missing Breakers/Fuses. 5 ... ... X LT
10.0 Missing Covers......... 5 ... ... X LT
Floors.......................... 4.0 Bulging/Buckling....... 4 ... ... X .........
4.0 Hard Floor Covering 4 X X X .........
Missing/Damaged
Flooring/Tiles.
4.0 Mold/Mildew/Water 2 ... X X .........
Stains/Water Damage.
4.0 Peeling/Needs Paint.... 1 X X ... .........
4.0 Rot/Deteriorated 4 ... X X .........
Subfloor.
[[Page 47737]]
4.0 Soft Floor Covering 4 X X X .........
Missing/Damaged.
Health & Safety................. 15.0 Air Quality--Mold and/ 3 ... ... X NLT
or Mildew Observed.
15.0 Air Quality--Sewer Odor 3 ... ... X NLT
Detected.
15.0 Air Quality--Propane/ 5 ... ... X LT
Natural Gas/Methane
Gas Detected.
15.0 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Exposed Wires/Open
Panels.
15.0 Electrical Hazards-- 5 ... ... X LT
Water Leaks on/near
Electrical Equipment.
15.0 Emergency Fire Exits-- 5 ... ... X LT
Emergency/Fire Exits
Blocked/Unusable.
15.0 Emergency Fire Exits-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Missing Exit Signs.
15.0 Flammable/Combustible 3 ... ... X NLT
Materials--Improperly
Stored.
15.0 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Indoors.
15.0 Garbage and Debris-- 3 ... ... X NLT
Outdoors.
0.0 Hazards--Other......... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.0 Hazards--Sharp Edges... 3 ... ... X NLT
0.0 Hazards--Tripping...... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.0 Infestation--Insects... 3 ... ... X NLT
15.0 Infestation--Rats/Mice/ 3 ... ... X NLT
Vermin.
Hot Water Heater................ 10.0 General Rust/Corrosion. 3 X X X NLT
10.0 Inoperable Unit/ 5 ... ... X NLT
Components.
10.0 Leaking Valves/Tanks/ 4 ... ... X .........
Pipes.
10.0 Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
10.0 Missing Pressure Relief 5 ... ... X NLT
Valve.
HVAC System..................... 15.0 Convection/Radiant Heat 2 ... ... X .........
System Covers Missing/
Damaged.
15.0 General Rust/Corrosion. 2 X ... ... .........
15.0 Inoperable............. 5 ... ... X .........
15.0 Misaligned Chimney/ 5 ... ... X LT
Ventilation System.
15.0 Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking 4 X ... ... .........
Kitchen......................... 15.0 Cabinets--Missing/ 2 ... X X NLT
Damaged.
15.0 Countertops--Missing/ 2 ... X ... NLT
Damaged.
15.0 Dishwasher/Garbage 2 ... X ... .........
Disposal--Inoperable.
15.0 Plumbing--Clogged 4 X ... X NLT
Drains.
15.0 Plumbing--Leaking 3 X ... X NLT
Faucet/Pipes.
15.0 Range Hood/Exhaust 2 X ... X .........
Fans--Excessive Grease/
Inoperable.
15.0 Range/Stove--Missing/ 3 X X X .........
Damaged/Inoperable.
15.0 Refrigerator-Missing/ 3 X ... X NLT
Damaged/Inoperable.
15.0 Sink--Missing/Damaged.. 5 X ... X NLT
Laundry Area (Room)............. 2.0 Dryer Vent--Missing/ 3 ... ... X .........
Damaged/Inoperable.
Lighting........................ 2.0 Missing/Inoperable 4 X X X NLT
Fixture.
Outlets/Switches................ 4.0 Missing................ 3 ... ... X LT
4.0 Missing/Broken Cover 3 X ... X LT
Plates.
Patio/Porch/ Balcony............ 2.0 Baluster/Side Railings 3 ... ... X .........
Damaged.
Smoke Detector.................. 0.0 Missing/Inoperable..... 5 ... ... X LT
Stairs.......................... 2.0 Broken/Damaged/Missing 3 ... ... X NLT
Steps.
2.0 Broken/Missing Hand 3 ... ... X NLT
Railing.
Walls........................... 4.0 Bulging/Buckling....... 4 ... ... X .........
4.0 Damaged................ 3 X X X .........
4.0 Damaged/Deteriorated 1 X X X .........
Trim.
4.0 Peeling/Needs Paint.... 1 X X ... .........
4.0 Mold/Mildew/Water 2 X ... X .........
Stains/Water Damage.
Windows......................... 4.5 Cracked/Broken/Missing 3 X ... X NLT
Panes.
4.5 Damaged/Missing Screens 2 X ... ... .........
4.5 Damaged Sills/Frames/ 4 X X ... .........
Lintels/Trim.
4.5 Missing/Deteriorated 5 X ... X .........
Caulking/Seals/Glazing
Compound.
4.5 Inoperable/Not Lockable 3 X ... X NLT
4.5 Peeling/Needs Paint.... 1 X ... ... .........
4.5 Security Bars Prevent 5 ... ... X LT
Egress.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: (1) Nominal item weight assumes that all items for the Units are present. Item weights would be adjusted
accordingly when items are not applicable (N/A).
(2) The Health & Safety item assumes the highest item weight for a particular inspection. Nominally it is equal
to 15%.
(3) ``X'' in the level column indicates which levels are applicable.
(4) Only level 3 is applied to H&S deficiencies.
(5) In the H&S column, NLT is non-life threatening H&S and LT (life threatening) is exigent/fire safety (calling
for immediate attention or remedy).
[[Page 47738]]
Appendix 2: Dictionary of Deficiency Definitions
Site Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ``Site'' are as follows:
Fencing and Gates
Grounds
Mailboxes/Project Signs
Market Appeal
Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads
Play Areas and Equipment
Refuse Disposal
Retaining Walls
Storm Drainage
Walkways/Steps
Fencing and Gates (Site)
Fence: A structure functioning as a boundary or barrier. An
upright structure serving to enclose, divide or protect an area.
Gate: A structured opening in a fence for entrance or exit.
Note: This does not include swimming pool fences or gates.
Swimming pool fences and gates are covered under ``Pools and Related
Structures (Common Areas).''
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning--Non-
Security/Non-Safety
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning--Security/
Safety
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning--Non-security/Non-safety
(Fencing and Gates--Site)
Deficiency: A non-security/non-safety (for example, privacy/
decorative) fence or gate is rusted, deteriorated, uprooted, missing
or contains holes.
Note:
1. Gates for swimming pool fences are covered in another
section, ``Pools and Related Structures (Common Areas).''
2. Fences designed for security/safety are addressed under
``Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning--Security/Safety
(Fencing and Gates--Sites).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A non-security/non-safety fence or gate contains holes
or deterioration/damage in greater than 25% of a fence.
Level 3: N/A
Comment:
Level 2: If the non-security/non-safety fence poses any danger,
note this as a health and safety issue under ``Hazards (Health and
Safety).''
Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/Leaning--Security/Safety
(Fencing and Gates--Site)
Deficiency: A security/safety (i.e., perimeter/security) fence
or gate is rusted, deteriorated, uprooted or missing such that it
may threaten security, health or safety.
Note:
1. Do not evaluate the fence under this item if the fence or
gate is not designed for security/safety, such as keeping intruders
or children out. Refer to ``Holes/Missing Sections/Damaged/Falling/
Leaning--Non-Security/Non-Safety (Fencing and Gates--Sites).''
2. Security/safety fences include perimeter fences that are
designed to keep people in and/or out as well as fences around
playgrounds, etc.
3. Fences less than 4 feet in height are to be addressed under
non-security fences.
4. Gates for swimming pool fences are covered in another
section, ``Pools and Related Structures (Common Areas).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A security/safety fence or gate contains small holes or
related damage as defined above (smaller than 12 inches by 12
inches) in less than 25% of the fence.
Level 2: A security/safety fence or gate contains small holes or
related damage as defined above (smaller than 12 inches by 12
inches) in more than 25% of the fence.
Level 3: A security/safety fence or fence section contains large
holes or related damage as defined above (greater than 12 inches by
12 inches) or is missing a section.
Note: If the fence can cause injury or allow bodily harm, record
it under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Grounds (Site)
The improved land adjacent to or surrounding the housing and
related structures. This does not include land not owned or under
the control of the housing provider.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Erosion/Rutting Areas
Overgrown/Penetrating Vegetation
Ponding/Site Drainage
Erosion/Rutting Areas (Grounds--Site)
Deficiency: Natural processes, weathering, erosion, or gravity,
or man-made processes have caused either of these conditions:
--Collection or removal of surface material.
-OR-
--Sunken tracks, ruts, grooves, or depressions.
Note: This does not include erosion/rutting from a defined storm
drainage system or in a play area. These are covered in these
sections: ``Storm Drainage (Site)'' and ``Play Areas and Equipment
(Site).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Erosion has caused surface material to collect, leading
to a degraded surface that would likely cause water to pool in a
confined area, especially next to structures, paved areas, or
walkways.
-OR-
A rut/groove is 6 to 8 inches wide and 3 to 5 inches deep.
Level 3: Runoff has extensively displaced soil, which has caused
visible damage or the potential failure of adjoining structures or
systems, such as pipes, pavements, foundations, building, etc.
-OR-
Advanced erosion threatens the safety of pedestrians or makes an
area of the grounds unusable.
-OR-
There is a rut larger than 8 inches wide by 5 inches deep.
Overgrown/Penetrating Vegetation (Grounds--Site)
Deficiency: Plant life has spread to unacceptable areas,
unintended surfaces, or has grown in areas where it was not intended
to grow.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Vegetation is extensive and dense; it is difficult to
see broken glass, holes, and other hazards.
-OR-
Vegetation contacts or penetrates an unintended surface, such as
buildings, gutters, fences/walls, roofs, HVAC units, etc., but you
see no visible damage.
-OR-
Extensive, dense vegetation obstructs the intended path of
walkways or roads, but the path is still passable.
Level 3: Plants have visibly damaged a component, area, or
system of the property or have made them unusable/impassable.
Ponding/Site Drainage (Grounds--Site)
Deficiency: Water or ice has collected in a depression or on
ground where ponding was not intended.
Note:
1. This does not include detention/retention basins or ponding
on paved areas, such as parking lots:
--Detention/retention basins are covered in ``Storm Drainage
(Site).''
--Ponding on paved areas is covered in ``Parking Lots/Driveways/
Roads (Site).''
2. If there has been measurable precipitation (1/10 inch or
more) during the previous 48 hours, consider the impact on the
extent of the ponding.
3. Determine that ponding has occurred only when there is clear
evidence of a persistent or long-standing problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An accumulation of water (3 to 5 inches deep) affects
the use of at least 100 square feet of the grounds, but the grounds
are generally usable.
Level 3: There is an accumulation of more than 5 inches deep
over 100 square feet.
-OR-
Accumulation has made a large section of the grounds, more than
20%, unusable for its intended purpose. For example, ponding has
made a recreational field unusable.
Mailboxes/Project Signs (Site)
Mailbox is a public container where mail is deposited for
distribution and collection. This does not include mailboxes owned
and maintained by the U.S. Postal Service, such as the ``Blue
Boxes.'' Project signs are boards, posters, or placards displayed in
a public place to advertise, impart information, or give directions.
This does not include signs owned and maintained by the city.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Mailbox Missing/Damaged
Signs Damaged
Mailbox Missing/Damaged (Mailboxes/Project Signs--Site)
Deficiency: The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox is
either missing or so damaged that it does not function properly.
Note: Do not inspect commercial deposit boxes, FedEx, UPS, etc.,
or U.S. Postal Service ``blue boxes.''
Level of Deficiency:
[[Page 47739]]
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox cannot be
locked.
-OR-
The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox is missing or so
damaged that it does not function properly.
Signs Damaged (Mailboxes/Project Signs--Site)
Deficiency: The project sign is not legible or readable because
of deterioration or damage.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The sign is damaged, vandalized, or deteriorated, and
cannot be read from a reasonable distance (for example, 20 feet).
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Market Appeal (Site)
Evaluate only those areas or structures that are under the
control of the housing provider.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Graffiti
Litter
Graffiti (Market Appeal--Site)
Deficiency: You see crude inscriptions or drawings scratched,
painted, or sprayed on a building surface, retaining wall, or fence
that the public can see from 30 feet away.
Note: There is a difference between art forms and graffiti. Do
not consider full wall murals and other art forms as graffiti.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see graffiti in 1 place.
Level 2: You see graffiti in 2 to 5 places.
Level 3: You see graffiti in 6 or more places.
Litter (Market Appeal--Site)
Deficiency: There is a disorderly accumulation of objects on the
property, especially carelessly discarded trash.
Note: Judge litter as you would judge the condition of a city
park in America. Do not include these as litter:
1. Litter left behind in the path of a recent garbage
collection.
2. Litter that maintenance personnel are collecting and removing
during your inspection.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see excessive litter on the property.
Level 3: N/A
Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads (Site)
An area for parking motorized vehicles begins at the curbside
and includes all parking lots, driveways or roads within the
property lines that are under the control of the housing provider.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/Loose Materials/Potholes
Ponding
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving/Loose Materials/Potholes (Parking Lots/
Driveways/Roads--Site)
Deficiency: There are visible faults in the pavement:
longitudinal, lateral, alligator, etc. The pavement sinks or rises
because of the failure of sub-base materials.
Note:
1. Do not include cracks on walkways/steps.
2. For this to be a Level 2 deficiency, more than 10% of the
area must be impacted, for example, 100 out of 1,000 square feet.
The 10% level does not apply to Level 3 conditions.
3. Relief joints are there by design; do not consider them
cracks.
4. Repaired/sealed cracks should not be considered a deficiency.
5. When observing traffic ability, consider the capacity to
support people on foot, in wheelchairs, and using walkers or canes,
etc., and the potential for problems and hazards.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Damaged pavement as defined above greater than \3/4\
inch, cracks, settlement, hinging/tilting, loose materials, pot
holes, or missing section(s) that affect traffic ability over more
than 10% of the property's parking lots/driveways/roads. Note a
deficiency if you see cracks on more than 10% of the paved area.
Level 3: Damaged pavement as defined above has made a parking
lot/driveway unusable/impassable or creates unsafe conditions for
pedestrians and vehicles.
Comment:
Level 2: If the height differential is greater than \3/4\ inch,
consider this a safety hazard. If the condition of the surface could
cause tripping or falling, you must manually record this deficiency
under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Ponding (Parking Lots/Driveways/Roads--Site)
Deficiency: Water or ice has accumulated in a depression on an
otherwise flat plane.
Note:
1. Consider the impact of any measurable precipitation, 1/10
inch or more, during the last 48 hours. Note the deficiency only if
there is clear evidence that the ponding is a persistent or long-
standing problem.
2. For parking lots/driveways/roads only, note a deficiency if
you see ponding on more than 5% of the paved area.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Between 1 and 3 inches of water has accumulated,
affecting the use of 5% or more of a parking lot/driveway/road. The
parking lot/driveway/road is passable.
Level 3: More than 3 inches of water has accumulated making 5%
or more of a parking lot/driveway/road unusable or unsafe.
Play Areas and Equipment (Site)
An outdoor area set aside for recreation or play, especially one
containing equipment such as seesaws and swings.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Damaged/Broken Equipment
Deteriorated Play Area Surface
Damaged/Broken Equipment (Play Areas and Equipment--Site)
Deficiency: Equipment is broken into pieces, shattered,
incomplete, or inoperable.
Note: Do not evaluate equipment that the POA states have been
withdrawn from service, except when safety is still a concern, such
as sharp edges, dangerous leaning, etc. For example, if the POA
removed the net and hoop from a basketball backboard and the
backboard poses no safety hazards, it is not a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see that some of the equipment, 20% to 50%, does
not operate as it should, but poses no safety risk.
Level 2: You see that most of the equipment, more than 50%, does
not operate as it should, but poses no safety risk.
Level 3: You see equipment that poses a threat to safety and
could cause injury.
Deteriorated Play Area Surface (Play Areas and Equipment--Site)
Deficiency: You see damage to a play area surface caused by
cracking, heaving, settling, ponding, potholes, loose materials,
erosion, rutting, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the total surveyed play area surface
shows deterioration.
Level 3: More than 50% of the surveyed play area surface shows
deterioration.
Comment:
Level 3: If the play area surface could cause tripping or
falling, you must manually record this deficiency under ``Hazards
(Health and Safety).''
Refuse Disposal (Site)
Collection areas for trash/garbage common pick-up.
Broken/Damaged Enclosure--Inadequate Outside Storage Space (Refuse
Disposal--Site)
Deficiency: The outdoor enclosed area used as a trash/refuse
site is:
--Broken or damaged, including its walls.
--OR--
--Too small to properly store refuse until disposal.
Note: This does not include areas that are not designed as
trash/refuse enclosures, such as curb pick-up.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A single wall or gate of the enclosure has collapsed or
is leaning and is in danger of falling.
--OR--
Trash cannot be stored in the designated area because it is too
small to store refuse until disposal.
Level 3: N/A
Retaining Walls (Site)
A wall built to support or prevent the advance of a mass of
earth or water.
Damaged/Falling/Leaning (Retaining Walls--Site)
Deficiency: A retaining wall structure is deteriorated, damaged,
falling, or leaning.
Level of Deficiency:
[[Page 47740]]
Level 1: A retaining wall shows some signs of deterioration,
damage, falling or leaning, but it still functions as it should, and
it is not a safety risk.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A retaining wall is damaged and has failed or is a
safety risk.
Storm Drainage (Site)
System used to collect and dispose of surface runoff water
through the use of culverts, underground structures, or natural
drainage features, e.g., swales, ditches, etc.
Damaged/Obstructed (Storm Drainage--Site)
Deficiency: If the storm drains are structurally unsound/
damaged, are blocked/obstructed by accumulated debris, or present
other safety hazards.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The system is partially blocked by a large quantity of
debris, causing backup into adjacent area(s).
Level 3: The system is structurally unsound/damaged or
completely blocked, or a large segment of the system has failed
because a large quantity of debris has caused:
--Backups into adjacent area(s).
--OR--
--Runoffs into areas where runoffs are not intended.
Walkways/Steps (Site)
Passages for walking and the structures that allow for changes
in vertical orientation.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Broken/Missing Hand Railing
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving
Spalling
Broken/Missing Hand Railing (Walkways/Steps--Site)
Deficiency: The handrail is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The handrail for 4 or more stairs is missing, damaged,
loose, or otherwise unusable.
Cracks/Settlement/Heaving (Walkways/Steps--Site)
Deficiency:
--Visible faults in the pavement: longitudinal, lateral, alligator,
etc.
--OR--
--Pavement that sinks or rises because of the failure of sub-base
materials.
Note:
1. Do not include cracks on parking lots/driveways or roads.
2. For this to be a Level 2 deficiency, 5% of the walkways must
be impacted, for example, 50 out of 1,000 square feet.
3. Relief joints are there by design; do not consider them
cracks.
4. Repaired/sealed cracks should not be considered a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Damaged, as defined above, is greater than \3/4\ inch,
hinging/tilting, or missing section(s) that affect more than 5% of
the property's walkways/steps.
Level 3: N/A
Comment:
Level 2: If the walkways or steps could cause tripping or
falling, you must manually record this deficiency under ``Hazards
(Health and Safety).''
Spalling (Walkways/Steps--Site)
Deficiency: A concrete or masonry walkway is flaking, chipping,
or crumbling, possibly exposing underlying reinforcing material.
This is a defect if 5% or more of the property's walkways/steps are
affected. For example, 50 square feet out of 1,000 square feet.
Note: When observing traffic ability, consider the capacity to
support people on foot, in wheelchairs, and using walkers.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: More than 5% of the walkway/steps have small areas of
spalling, 4 inches by 4 inches or less.
Level 2: More than 5% of the walkway/steps have large areas of
spalling, larger than 4 inches by 4 inches, and this affects traffic
ability.
Level 3: N/A
Building Exterior Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ``Building Exterior'' are as follows:
Doors
FHEO/Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
Fire Escapes
Foundations
Lighting
Roofs
Walls
Windows
Doors (Building Exterior)
Means of access to the interior of a building or structure.
Doors provide privacy, control passage, maintain security, provide
fire and weather resistance. Includes entry to maintenance areas,
boiler and mechanical rooms, electrical vaults, storage areas, etc.
Note: This does not include unit doors.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
Damaged Hardware/Locks
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door
Deteriorated/Missing Caulking/Seals
Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim that is warped, split, cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door's hardware (locks, hinges,
etc.) record this under ``Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors--Building
Exterior).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning or cannot be locked
because of damage to the frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim.
Level 3: At least 1 entry door or fire/emergency door is not
functioning or cannot be locked because of damage to the frame,
header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: The attachments to a door that provide hinging,
hanging, opening, closing, or security are damaged or missing. These
include locks, panic hardware, overhead door tracks, springs and
pulleys, sliding door tracks and hangers, and door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have locks, the locks should work.
2. If a door is not designed to have locks, do not record a
deficiency for not having a lock.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door does not function as it should or cannot be
locked because of damage to the door's hardware.
Level 3: One door's panic hardware does not function as it
should.
--OR--
One entry door or fire/emergency door does not function as it
should or cannot be locked because of damage to the door's hardware.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Health and Safety: Hazards.''
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Damage includes holes, peeling/cracking/no paint,
broken glass, and significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
- May affect either the surface protection or the strength of the
door.
-OR-
- May compromise building security.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door has a hole or holes with a diameter ranging
from \1/4\ inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger than 1 inch in
diameter, significant peeling/cracking/no paint, or rust that
affects the integrity of the door surface, or broken/missing glass.
-OR-
One entry door or fire/emergency door has a hole or holes with a
diameter ranging from \1/4\ inch to 1 inch.
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see damage to surfaces, including screens,
glass, frames, hardware, and door surfaces.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: At least 1 screen door or storm door is damaged or is
missing screens or glass, shown by an empty frame or frames.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A security door is not functioning or missing.
(``Missing'' applies only if a
[[Page 47741]]
security door that should be there is not there.)
Deteriorated/Missing Caulking/Seals (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Sealant and stripping designed to resist weather or
caulking is missing or deteriorated.
Note: This applies only to entry doors that were designed with
seals. If a door shows evidence that a seal was never part of its
design, do not record a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals/caulking is missing on 1 entry door, or they
are so damaged that they do not function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single missing building exterior door.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
FHEO/UFAS (Building Exterior)
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Main Entrance Less Than 32'' Wide
Obstructed or Missing Accessibility Route
Main Entrance Less Than 32'' Wide (FHEO/UFAS--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Verify that the main entrance for each building
inspected is at least 32'' wide, measured from between the face of
the door and the opposite door stop.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The distance between the face of the door and the
opposite doorstop is not 32'' wide.
Obstructed or Missing Accessibility Route (FHEO/UFAS--Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: Verify that there is an accessible route to and from
the main ground floor entrance for every building inspected.
Accessible routes include level surface to the door, ramps, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is not an accessible route.
Fire Escapes (Building Exterior)
All buildings must have acceptable fire exits. This includes
both stairway access doors and external exits. These can include
external fire escapes, fire towers, operable windows on the lower
floors with easy access to the ground or a back door opening onto a
porch with a stairway leading to the ground.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Blocked Egress/Ladders
Visibly Missing Components
Blocked Egress/Ladders (Fire Escapes--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Any part of the fire escape, including ladders, is
blocked, limiting or restricting people from exiting.
Note: This includes fire escapes, fire towers, and windows on
the ground floor that would be used in an emergency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Stored items or other barriers restrict or block people
from exiting.
Visibly Missing Components (Fire Escapes--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see that any of the components that affect the
function of the fire escape are missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that any of the functional components that
affect the function of the fire escape, for example, 1 section of a
ladder or a railing, is missing.
Foundations (Building Exterior)
Lowest level structural wall or floor responsible for
transferring the building's load to the appropriate footings and
soil. Materials may include concrete, stone, masonry and wood.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cracks/Gaps
Spalling/Exposed Rebar
Cracks/Gaps (Foundations--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a split in the exterior of the lowest
structural wall.
Note: Cracks that show evidence of water penetration should be
evaluated here.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see cracks more than \1/8\ inch wide by \1/8\ inch
deep by 6 inches long.
-OR-
You see large pieces, for example, many bricks, that are
separated or missing from the wall or floor.
Level 3: You see large cracks or gaps more than \3/8\ inch wide
by \3/8\ inch deep by 6 inches long, a possible sign of a serious
structural problem.
-OR-
You see cracks that are the full depth of the wall, providing
opportunity for water penetration.
-OR-
You see sections of the wall or floor that are broken apart.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
problem, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Spalling/Exposed Rebar (Foundations--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A concrete or masonry wall is flaking, chipping, or
crumbling, possibly exposing underlying reinforcing material
(rebar).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see obvious, large spalled area(s) affecting 10% to
50% of any foundation wall.
Level 3: You see obvious, significant spalled area(s) affecting
more than 50% of any foundation wall.
-OR-
You see spalling that exposes any reinforcing material, such as
rebar or other.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
problem, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Lighting (Building Exterior)
System to provide illumination of building exteriors and
surrounding grounds. Includes fixtures, lamps, stanchions, poles,
supports, and electrical supply that are associated with the
building itself.
Broken Fixtures/Bulbs (Lighting--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Includes broken fixtures and bulbs. This deficiency
covers all or part of the lighting associated with the building,
including lighting attached to the building used to light the site.
If you see lighting that is not directly attached to a specific
building, assign it to the nearest building.
Note: If a damaged fixture or bulb presents a safety hazard,
rate it as Level 3, and record it manually as a health and safety
concern. This includes broken fixtures and bulbs that could fall on
pedestrians or could lead to electrocution.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the lighting fixtures and bulbs surveyed
are broken or missing, but this does not constitute an obvious
safety hazard.
Level 3: More than 50% of the lighting fixtures and bulbs
surveyed are broken or missing.
-OR-
The condition constitutes an obvious safety hazard.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).''
Roofs (Building Exterior)
Roof system consists of the structural deck, weathering surface,
flashing, parapet, and drainage system. They may be flat or pitched.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Damaged/Clogged Drains
Damaged Soffits/Fascia
Damaged Vents
Damaged/Torn Membrane/Missing Ballast
Missing/Damaged Components from Downspout/Gutter
Missing/Damaged Shingles
Ponding (Roofs)
Damaged/Clogged Drains (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: The drainage system does not effectively remove
water. Generally, this deficiency applies to flat roofs.
Note:
1. This does not include gutters and downspouts. For these, see
``Missing/
[[Page 47742]]
Damaged Components from Downspout/Gutter (Roofs--Building
Exterior).''
2. If there has been measurable precipitation (1/10 inch or
more) during the previous 48 hours, consider the impact on the
extent of the ponding. Determine that ponding has occurred only when
there is clear evidence of a persistent or long-standing problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see debris around or in a drain, but no evidence of
ponding.
-OR-
The drain is damaged or partially clogged with debris, but the
drain system still functions and you see no evidence of ponding.
Level 3: The drain is so damaged or clogged with debris that the
drain no longer functions, as shown by ponding.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, an inspection by a roofing specialist is recommended.
Damaged Soffits/Fascia/Soffit Vents (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see damage to soffit, fascia, soffit vents, or
associated components that may provide opportunity for water
penetration or other damage from natural elements.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to soffits, fascia or soffit vents, but
no obvious opportunities for water penetration.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Soffits, fascia or soffit vents that should be there
are missing or so damaged that water penetration is visibly
possible.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, an inspection by a roofing specialist is recommended.
Damaged Vents (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Damaged vents on or extending through the roof
surface or components are damaged or missing. Vents include ridge
vents, gable vents, plumbing vents, gas vents, and others.
Note: This does not include exhaust fans on the roof or soffit
vents:
- Exhaust fans are covered under ``Roof Exhaust System (Building
Systems).''
- Soffit vents are covered under ``Damaged Soffits/Fascia/Soffit
Vents (Roofs--Building Exterior).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The vents are visibly damaged, but do not present an
obvious risk to promote further roof damage.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Vents are missing or so visibly damaged that further
roof damage is possible.
Damaged/Torn Membrane/Missing Ballast (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: In the membrane or flashing, you see damage that is
a rip or tear, including punctures, holes, cracks, blistering, and
separated seams. PVC, rubber, bitumen, and similar materials are all
subject to tears and punctures.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Ballast has shifted and no longer functions as it
should.
Level 3: You see signs of damage, as defined above, to the
membrane that may result in water penetration.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition warrants further inspection,
inspection by a roofing specialist is recommended.
Missing/Damaged Components from Downspout/Gutter (Roofs--Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: You see that components of the drainage system,
including gutters, leaders, downspouts, splashblocks, and drain
openings, are missing or damaged.
Note: This does not include clogged drains. For clogged drains,
see ``Damaged/Clogged Drains (Roofs--Building Exterior).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Splashblocks are missing or damaged.
Level 2: You see that drainage system components are missing or
damaged, but there is no visible damage to the roof, structure,
exterior wall surface, or interior.
Level 3: You see that drainage system components are missing or
damaged, causing visible damage to the roof, structure, exterior
wall surface, or interior.
Missing/Damaged Shingles (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Shingles are missing or damaged, including cracking,
warping, cupping, and other deterioration.
Note: A square is 100 square feet.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Up to 1 square of surface material or shingles is
missing or damaged from roof areas you survey.
Level 2: One to 2 squares of surface material or shingles are
missing or damaged from surveyed roof areas.
Level 3: More than 2 squares of shingles are missing or damaged
from surveyed roofing areas.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, an inspection by a roofing specialist is recommended.
Ponding (Roofs--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see evidence of areas of standing water, such as
roof depression, mold ring, or effervescence water ring.
Note: If there has been measurable precipitation (1/10 inch or
more) during the previous 48 hours, consider the impact on the
extent of the ponding. Determine that ponding has occurred only when
there is clear evidence of a persistent or long-standing problem.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see evidence of standing water on the roof, causing
potential or visible damage to roof surface or underlying materials.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt of the severity of the condition,
an inspection by a roofing specialist is recommended.
Walls (Building Exterior)
The exterior enclosure of the building or structure. Materials
for construction include concrete, masonry block, brick, stone,
wood, glass block. Surface finish materials include metal, wood,
vinyl, stucco.
Note: This does not include foundation walls.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cracks/Gaps
Damaged Chimneys
Missing/Damaged Caulking/Mortar
Missing Pieces/Holes/Spalling
Stained/Peeling/Needs Paint
Cracks/Gaps (Walls--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see a split, separation, or gap in the exterior
walls.
Note: If you see both cracks/gaps and missing pieces/holes/
spalling, do not record both. If you see both deficiencies, record
only 1 of the 2.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see a crack or gap that is more than \1/8\ inch
wide by \1/8\ inch deep by 6 inches long.
-OR-
You see pieces, for example, many bricks, that are separated
from the wall.
Level 3: You see a large crack or gap that is more than \3/8\
inch wide or deep and 6 inches long, possibly a sign of a serious
structural problem.
-OR-
You see a crack or gap that is the full depth of the wall,
providing opportunity for water penetration.
-OR-
You see sections of the wall that are broken apart.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt of the severity of the condition,
request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Damaged Chimneys (Walls--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: The chimney, including the part that extends above
the roofline, has separated from the wall or has cracks, spalling,
missing pieces or broken sections (including chimney caps).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The chimney cap is either visibly loose or damaged.
Level 2: The surface of the chimney shows surface damage on more
than 1 piece of wall, for example, a few bricks or a section of
siding.
-OR-
The surface of the chimney has holes that affect an area larger
than 4 inches by 4 inches.
Level 3: Part or all of the chimney has visibly separated from
the adjacent wall.
-OR-
There are cracked or fallen pieces or sections.
-OR-
There is a risk that falling pieces could create a safety
hazard.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
[[Page 47743]]
Missing/Damaged Caulking/Mortar (Walls--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Caulking designed to resist weather or mortar is
missing or deteriorated.
Note: This does not include caulking relative to doors and
windows; they are covered in other areas. Address all other caulking
here.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Mortar is missing around a single masonry unit.
-OR-
Deteriorated caulk is confined to less than 12 inches.
Level 2: Mortar is missing around more than 1 contiguous masonry
unit.
-OR-
You see deteriorated caulking in an area longer than 12 inches.
Level 3: N/A
Missing Pieces/Holes/Spalling (Walls--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: You see deterioration of the exterior wall surface,
including missing pieces, holes, or spalling. This may also be
attributed to:
--Materials that are rotting.
-OR-
--A concrete, stucco, or masonry wall that is flaking, chipping or
crumbling.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see that there is a missing piece, for example, a
single brick or section of siding, or a hole larger than \1/2\; inch
in diameter.
-OR-
You see deterioration that affects an area up to 8\1/2\; inches
by 11 inches.
Level 3: You see deterioration that exposes any reinforcing
material (rebar).
-OR-
You see more than 1 missing piece, for example, a few bricks or
a section of siding, or holes that affect an area larger than 8\1/
2\; inches by 11 inches.
-OR-
You see a hole of any size that completely penetrates the
exterior wall.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Stained/Peeling/Needs Paint (Walls--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Paint is cracking, flaking, or otherwise
deteriorated. Water damage or related problems have stained the
paint.
Note: This does not include walls that are not intended to have
paint, such as most brick walls, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You observe that less than 50% of a single building
exterior wall is affected.
Level 2: You observe that more than 50% of a single building
exterior wall is affected.
Level 3: N/A
Windows (Building Exterior)
Window systems provide light, security, and exclusion of
exterior noise, dust, heat, and cold. Frame materials include wood,
aluminum, vinyl, etc.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes
Damaged/Missing Screens
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound
Peeling/Needs Paint
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes (Windows--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: A glass pane is broken, missing, or cracked.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A glass pane is cracked, but you see no sharp edges.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A glass pane is missing or broken.
Damaged/Missing Screens (Windows--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Screens are punctured, torn, otherwise damaged, or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Three or more screens in 1 building are punctured,
torn, otherwise damaged, or missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim (Windows--Building Exterior)
Deficiency: Window sills, frames, sash lintels, or trim are
damaged by decay, rust, rot, corrosion, or other deterioration.
Note: Damage does not include scratches and cosmetic
deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to sills, frames, lintels, or trim, but
nothing is missing. The inside of the surrounding wall is not
exposed. You see no impact on either the functioning of the window
or weather tightness.
Level 2: Sills, frames, lintels, or trim are missing or damaged,
exposing the inside of the surrounding walls and compromising its
weather tightness.
Level 3: N/A
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound (Windows--Building
Exterior)
Deficiency: The caulk, seals or glazing compound that resists
weather is missing or deteriorated.
Note:
1. This also includes Thermopane or insulated windows that have
failed.
2. Caulk and seals are considered to be deteriorated when 2 or
more seals for any window have lost their elasticity. (If the seals
crumble and flake when touched, they have lost their elasticity.)
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Most of the window shows missing or deteriorated caulk,
seals and/or glazing compound, but there is no evidence of damage to
the window or surrounding structure.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There are missing or deteriorated caulk, seals and/or
glazing compound with evidence of leaks or damage to the window or
surrounding structure.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Windows--Building Exterior)
Deficiency:
--Paint covering the window assembly or trim is cracking, flaking,
or otherwise failing.
-OR-
--The window assembly or trim is not painted or is exposed to the
elements.
Note: This does not include windows that were not intended to be
painted.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see peeling paint or a window that needs paint.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Building Systems Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ``Building Systems'' are as follows:
Domestic Water
Electrical System
Elevators
Emergency Power
Fire Protection
HVAC
Roof Exhaust System
Sanitary System
Domestic Water (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that provides potable water
conditioning, heating, and distribution, taking its source from
outside the building and terminating in domestic plumbing fixtures.
The system typically consists of water conditioners (filters and
softeners), water heaters, transfer and circulating pumps,
strainers, connecting piping, fittings, valves and supports.
Note: This does not include portion of water supply that
connects to the heating and cooling system. Also, the delivery
points of the system such as sinks and faucets in units or common
areas.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
General Rust/Corrosion on Heater Chimney
Leaking Central Water Supply
Misaligned/Damaged Ventilation System
Missing Pressure Relief Valve
Water Supply Inoperable
General Rust/Corrosion on Heater Chimney (Domestic Water--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: The water heater chimney shows evidence of flaking,
discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The water heater chimney shows evidence of flaking,
discoloration, pitting, or crevices that may create holes that could
allow toxic gases to leak from the chimney.
Leaking Central Water Supply (Domestic Water--Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see water leaking from any water system
component, including valve flanges, stems, bodies, hose bibs, or any
domestic water tank or its pipe or pipe connections.
Note:
1. This includes both hot and cold water systems, but does not
include fixtures. Address fixtures in dwelling units or common
areas.
2. Some pumps and valves are designed to leak as a normal
function, particularly in fire pumps, water pressure pumps, and
large
[[Page 47744]]
circulating pumps, and should be considered accordingly.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that water is leaking.
Comment:
Level 3: If leaking water is a health and safety concern (i.e.,
is leaking on or near electrical equipment), you must record it
manually under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (Domestic Water--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: The ventilation system on a gas-fired or oil-fired
water heater is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment that may cause improper or
dangerous venting of exhaust gases.
Missing Pressure Relief Valve (Domestic Water--Building Systems)
Deficiency: The pressure relief valve on the central hot water
heating system is missing or does not extend to the floor.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is no pressure relief valve.
-OR-
The pressure relief valve does not extend to the floor.
Water Supply Inoperable (Domestic Water--Building Systems)
Deficiency: Water is not available.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: There is no running water in any area of the building.
Electrical System (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that safely provides electrical
power throughout the building. Including equipment that provides
control, protection, metering, and service.
Note: This does not include transformers or metering that
belongs to the providing utility; equipment that is part of any
emergency power generating system; or terminal equipment such as
receptacles, switches, or panel boards that are located in the units
or common areas.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Blocked Access/Improper Storage
Burnt Breakers
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
Frayed Wiring
Missing Breakers/Fuses
Missing Covers
Blocked Access/Improper Storage (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of sufficient size and
weight that can delay or prevent access to any panel board or main
power switch in an emergency.
Note: If the panel board or main power switch is locked but
authorized personnel can quickly gain access, do not record it as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed items or items of sufficient size and
weight impede access to the building system's electrical panel
during an emergency.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Flammable Materials (Health and
Safety).''
Burnt Breakers (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the plastic body, or the
plastic body is melted and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue, melted breakers, or arcing
scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust marks, or other signs of
corrosion on electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a deficiency if it does not
affect the condition of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the condition of the
components that carry current.
-OR-
Any stains or rust on the interior of electrical enclosures.
-OR-
Any evidence of water leaks in the enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose wires that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for wires not intended
to be insulated, such as grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose any conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).''
Missing Breakers/Fuses (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel board, or other
electrical box containing circuit breakers, you see an open circuit
breaker position that is not appropriately blanked off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers (Electrical System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any electrical device box,
panel box, switch gear box, or control panel with exposed electrical
connections.
Note: If the accompanying POA identifies abandoned wiring:
capped wires do not pose a risk, therefore, do not record this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, which results in exposed visible
electrical connections.
Elevators (Building Systems)
Vertical conveyance system for moving personnel, equipment,
materials, household goods, etc.
Inoperable Elevators (Elevators--Building Systems)
Deficiency:
- The elevator will not ascend or descend.
-OR-
- The elevator door will not open or close.
-OR-
- The elevator door opens when the cab is not there.
Note: Some elevators are designed/programmed for special
applications, for example, stopping at every floor. For these
special cases, the elevator is serving its designed purpose and is
therefore not deficient.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The elevator does not function at all.
-OR-
The elevator doors open when the cab is not there.
Emergency Power (Building Systems)
Standby/backup equipment intended to supply illumination or
power or both, (battery or generator set) during utility outage.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Auxiliary Lighting Inoperable
Run-Up Records/Documentation Not Available
Auxiliary Lighting Inoperable (Emergency Power--Building Systems)
Deficiency: Emergency lighting that provides illumination during
power outages does not function as it should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Auxiliary lighting does not function.
Run-Up Records/Documentation Not Available (Emergency Power--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: Records are not properly maintained or available.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Current records, from the last 12 months, are lost, but
older records are properly maintained and available.
[[Page 47745]]
Level 3: No records are available.
Fire Protection (Building Systems)
Building System designed to minimize the effects of a fire. May
include the following: fire walls and doors, portable fire
extinguishers, and permanent sprinkler systems.
Note: This does not include fire detection, alarm, and control
devices.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Missing Sprinkler Head
Missing/Damaged/Expired Extinguishers
Missing Sprinkler Head (Fire Protection--Building Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a sprinkler head, or its components,
connected to the central fire protection system is either missing,
visibly disabled, painted over, blocked, or capped.
Note: Components include test plugs, drains, and test fittings.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any sprinkler head is missing, visibly disabled,
painted over, blocked, or capped.
Missing/Damaged/Expired Extinguishers (Fire Protection--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: A portable fire extinguisher is not where it should
be, is damaged, or the extinguisher certification has expired.
Note:
1. This includes missing/damaged fire hoses where there are fire
cabinets.
2. For buildings with multiple fire control systems, standpipes,
sprinklers, etc., 5% or less of the extinguishers for a given
building may be missing, damaged, and/or expired. In such cases do
not record as a deficiency.
3. If the inspection tag is missing during the REAC inspection,
the accompanying POA may produce proof that the fire extinguisher
certification is current. If you see such proof, do not record a
deficiency for a missing tag.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For a building with only 1 fire control system, 5% or
less of the fire extinguishers are missing, damaged, or expired.
Level 2: For all buildings, 5% to 10% of the fire extinguishers
are missing, damaged, or expired.
Level 3: For all buildings, more than 10% of the fire
extinguishers are missing, damaged, or expired.
-OR-
There is not an operable/non-expired fire extinguisher on each
floor.
HVAC (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that provides the ability to heat
or cool the air within the building. Includes equipment such as
boilers, burners, furnaces, fuel supply, hot water and steam
distribution, centralized air conditioning systems, and associated
piping, filters, and equipment. Also includes air handling equipment
and associated ventilation ducting.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Boiler/Pump/Cooling System Leaks
Fuel Supply Leaks
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
General Rust/Corrosion
Boiler/Pump/Cooling System Leaks (HVAC--Building Systems)
Deficiency: Coolant, water or steam is escaping from unit casing
and/or pump packing/system piping.
Note:
1. This does not include fuel supply leaks. See ``Fuel Supply
Leaks (HVAC--Building Systems).''
2. Do not include steam escaping from pressure relief valves.
3. If water containment and curb is provided, do not record as
deficiency if there is standing water.
4. Condensation or sweating is not to be confused with leaking.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Coolant, water, or steam is escaping from unit casing
and/or pump packing/system piping.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Coolant, water, or steam is leaking from unit casing
and/or pump packing/system piping to the point that the system or
pumps should be shut down.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Fuel Supply Leaks (HVAC--Building Systems)
Deficiency: There is evidence that fuel is escaping from a fuel
storage tank or fuel line.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any amount of fuel is leaking from the supply tank or
piping.
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC--Building Systems)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated piping and ducting shows
evidence of flaking, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see significant formations of metal oxides,
significant flaking, discoloration, or the development of a
noticeable pit or crevice.
Level 3: The equipment or piping does not function because of
this condition.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (HVAC--Building Systems)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas fired, oil fired, or
coal unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
[Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a misalignment of an exhaust system on a gas
fired, oil fired or coal unit that causes improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Roof Exhaust System (Building Systems)
The system used to primarily exhaust stale air from the
building. Primarily from the kitchen and bathroom areas.
Note: This does not include elements related to the HVAC system.
Roof Exhaust Fans Inoperable (Roof Exhaust System--Building Systems)
Deficiency: The ventilation system/roof exhaust fans to exhaust
air from building areas, such as kitchen, bathroom, etc., does not
function.
Note:
1. The inspector shall determine if the fans are event
activated, for example, fire, timer, etc. If so, there is no
deficiency.
2. ``Missing'' only refers to the case where there were fans to
begin with. If a fan was not included in the design, do not record a
deficiency for not having one.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The roof exhaust fan unit does not function, is damaged
to the point of being inoperable, or is missing.
Sanitary System (Building Systems)
Portion of the building system that provides for the disposal of
waste products with discharge to the local sewage system. Can
include sources such as domestic plumbing fixtures, floor drains,
and other area drains. Consists of floor drains and traps,
collection sumps, sewage ejectors, sewage pumps, collection piping,
fittings, valves and supports.
Note: This does not include site storm drainage. Refer to
``Storm Drainage (Site).''
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Broken/Leaking/Clogged Pipes or Drains (Sanitary System)
Missing Drain/Cleanout/Manhole Covers
Broken/Leaking/Clogged Pipes or Drains (Sanitary System--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a drain is clogged or that components
of the sanitary system are leaking.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see active leaks in or around the system
components.
-OR-
You see evidence of standing water, puddles, or ponding, a sign
of leaks or clogged drains.
Missing Drain/Cleanout/Manhole Covers (Sanitary System--Building
Systems)
Deficiency: You see that a protective cover is missing.
Note: This also includes covers you see while walking the site.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A protective cover is missing.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Air Quality (Health and Safety).''
Common Areas Inspectable Items
The locations of items to inspect for ``Common Areas'' are as
follows:
Basement/Garage/Carport.
--Basement: the lowest habitable story of a building, usually below
ground level.
[[Page 47746]]
--Garage: a building or wing of a building in which to park a car.
--Carport: a roof projecting from the side of a building or free
standing, used to shelter an automobile.
Closet/Utility/Mechanical--an enclosed room or closet
housing machines and/or equipment that service the building.
Community Room--meeting place used by members of a
community for social, cultural, or recreational purposes.
Day Care--place that provides daytime supervision,
training, and medical services for preschool children or for the
elderly.
Halls/Corridors/Stairs--passageway in a building, which
organizes its rooms, apartments and staircases.
Kitchen--a place where food is cooked or prepared; the
facilities and equipment used in preparing and serving food.
Laundry Room--place where soiled clothes and linens are
washed and/or dried.
Lobby--a foyer, hall, or waiting room at or near the
entrance of a building.
Office--a place in which business, professional, or
clerical activities are conducted.
Other community spaces.
Patio/Porch/Balcony--covered entrance to a building,
usually with a separate roof or a recreation area that adjoins
common areas.
Pools and Related Structures--swimming pools and related
structures including fencing, etc.
Restrooms/Pool Structures--a room equipped with a water
closet or toilet, tub and/or shower, sink, cabinet(s) and/or closet;
this includes locker rooms or bathhouses associated with swimming
pools.
Storage--a room in which items are kept for future use.
Trash Collection Areas--collection areas for trash/garbage
common pick-up.
The items within locations to be inspected for ``Common Areas''
are listed below.
Baluster/Side Railings--Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The baluster or side railing on the exterior
improvement is loose, damaged or missing, limiting the safe use of
this area.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The baluster or side rails enclosing the area are
loose, damaged, or missing, limiting the safe use of this area.
Cabinets--Missing/Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: Cabinets are missing or the laminate is separating.
This includes cases, boxes, or pieces of furniture with drawers,
shelves, or doors, primarily used for storage, mounted on walls or
floors.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see that 10% to 50% of the cabinets, doors, or
shelves are missing or the laminate is separating.
Level 3: You see that more than 50% of the cabinets, doors, or
shelves are missing or the laminate is separating.
Call-for-Aid--Inoperable (Common Areas)
System to summon help. May be visual, audible, or both. May be
activated manually or automatically when pre-programmed conditions
are met.
Deficiency: The system does not function as it should.
Note: Inspector should verify that the Call-for-Aid only alerts
local entities (on-site) prior to testing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The system does not function as it should.
Ceiling (Common Areas)
The visible overhead structure lining the inside of a room or
area.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Bulging/Buckling
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Peeling/Needs Paint
Bulging/Buckling (Ceiling--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A ceiling is bowed, deflected, sagging, or is no
longer aligned horizontally to the extent that ceiling failure is
possible.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging, or a lack of
horizontal alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have concerns about the
possibility of failure, inform the property representative that an
inspection by a professional engineer is suggested.
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks (Ceiling--Common Areas)
Deficiency:
--The ceiling surface has punctures that may or may not penetrate
completely.
-OR-
--Panels or tiles are missing or damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small holes that are no larger than a sheet of
paper, 8\1/2\ inches by 11 inches.
-OR-
No hole or crack penetrates the area above.
-OR-
You see that no more than 3 tiles or panels are missing.
-OR-
You see a crack more than \1/8\ inch wide and 11 inches long.
Level 2: You see a hole that is larger than a sheet of paper,
8\1/2\ inches by 11 inches, but it does not penetrate the area
above. You cannot see through it.
-OR-
You see that more than 3 tiles or panels are missing.
Level 3: You see a hole or crack that penetrates the area above.
You can see through it.
Comments:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
If you as an inspector have concerns about the possibility of
failure, inform the property representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Ceiling--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure, or evidence of water infiltration or
other moisture producing conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 ceiling, you see evidence of mold or mildew, such
as a darkened area, over a large area (more than 1 square foot but
less than 4 square feet). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 ceiling, you estimate that a very large area (more
than 1 square foot) of its surface, has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold or mildew. The ceiling surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Ceiling--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking or
otherwise deteriorated on ceilings in common areas.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking or
otherwise deteriorated on 1 to 4 ceilings in common areas.
Level 2: You see more than 4 ceilings in common areas that have
paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking or otherwise deteriorated,
or need paint.
Level 3: N/A
Chutes Damaged/Missing Components (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The structure that directs garbage into the
appropriate storage container is missing or damaged. This includes
the chute, chute door, and other components.
Note: Do not evaluate the door that leads to the trash room.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Garbage has backed up into chutes, because the
collection structure is missing or broken. Compactors or components,
chute, chute door, and other components, have failed.
Level 3: N/A
Countertops--Missing/Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A flat work surface in a kitchen often integral to
lower cabinet space is missing or deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% or more of the countertop working surface is
missing, deteriorated, or damaged below the laminate and is not a
sanitary surface on which to prepare food.
Level 3: N/A
Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal--Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A dishwasher or garbage disposal, if provided, does
not function.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The dishwasher or garbage disposal does not function.
Level 3: N/A
[[Page 47747]]
Doors (Common Areas)
Means of access to the interior of a unit. Doors provide privacy
and security, control passage, provide fire and weather resistance.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
Damaged Hardware/Locks
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door
Damaged Surface--(Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim that is warped, split, cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door's hardware, (locks, hinges,
etc.) record this under ``Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors--Common
Areas).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning or cannot be locked
because of damage to the frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim.
Level 3: At least 1 restroom door, entry door, or fire is not
functioning or cannot be locked because of damage to the frame,
header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The attachments to a door that provide hinging,
hanging, opening, closing, or security are damaged or missing. These
include locks, panic hardware, overhead door tracks, springs and
pulleys, sliding door tracks and hangers, and door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have a lock, the lock should work.
If a door is designed without locks, do not record it as a
deficiency.
2. If a lock has been removed from an interior door, do not
record this as a deficiency.
3. 504 units have had locks removed. Before you start the
inspection, you should be given a list of units relative to the
UFAS. Do not record these missing locks as deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A closet door does not function as it should because of
damage to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A closet door that requires locking cannot be locked because of
damage to the door's hardware.
Level 2: A door does not function as it should because of damage
to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A door that requires locking cannot be locked because of damage
to the door's hardware.
Level 3: A restroom door, entry door, or fire door does not
function as it should because of damage to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A restroom door, entry door, or fire door that requires locking
cannot be locked because of damage to the door's hardware.
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Visible damage to surfaces including screens, glass,
frames, hardware, and door surface.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: One or more screen/storm doors has damage or door is
missing screens/glass as evidenced by empty frame.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single security door is inoperable or missing.
(Missing only applies to those situations where a security door is
supposed to be present but is observed not to be there.)
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: This includes holes, peeling/cracking/no paint,
broken glass, and significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
--May affect either the surface protection or the strength of the
door.
-OR-
--May compromise building security.
Note: If the door is a restroom, fire door, or entry door, this
is a Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One door has a hole or holes with a diameter ranging
from [frac14] inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger than 1 inch in
diameter, significant peeling/cracking/no paint, rust that affects
the integrity of the door surface, or broken/missing glass.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The seals and stripping around the entry door(s) to
resist weather and fire are damaged or missing.
Note: This defect applies only to entry doors that were designed
with seals. If a door shows evidence that a seal was never part of
its design, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals are missing on 1 entry door, or they are so
damaged that they do not function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Note: If a restroom door, entry door, or fire door, record this
as a Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A door is missing, but it is not a restroom door, entry
door, or fire door.
Level 2: Two doors or up to 50% of the doors are missing, but
they are not restroom doors, entry doors, or fire doors, and the
condition presents no hazard.
Level 3: A restroom door, entry door, or fire door is missing.
-OR-
You estimate that more than 50% of the doors are missing.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Dryer Vent--Missing/Damaged/Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: There is no adequate way to vent heat and lint to
the outside.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The dryer vent is missing or you see that it is not
functioning because it is blocked. Dryer exhaust is not effectively
vented to the outside.
Electrical (Common Areas)
Portion of the common area that safely provides electrical power
throughout the building. Including equipment that provides control,
protection, metering, and service.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel
Burnt Breakers
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion
Frayed Wiring
Missing Breakers
Missing Covers
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of sufficient size and
weight can delay or prevent access to any panel board switch in an
emergency.
Note: If you see an item that is easy to remove, like a picture,
do not note this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed items or items of sufficient size and
weight can impede access to the unit's electrical panel during an
emergency.
Burnt Breakers (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the plastic body, or the
plastic body is melted and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue, melted breakers, or arcing
scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust marks, or other signs of
corrosion on electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a deficiency if it does not
affect the condition of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the condition of the
components that carry current.
-OR-
Any stains or rust on the interior of electrical enclosures.
[[Page 47748]]
-OR-
Any evidence of water leaks in the enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose wires that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for wires not intended
to be insulated, such as grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose any conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).''
Missing Breakers (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel board, or other
electrical box that contains circuit breakers/fuses, you see an open
circuit breaker position that is not appropriately blanked-off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers (Electrical--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any electrical device box,
panel box, switch gear box, control panel, etc., with exposed
electrical connections.
Note: If an accompanying POA has identified abandoned wiring,
capped wires do not pose a risk. Do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, and you see exposed electrical
connections.
FHEO/UFAS (Common Areas)
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Multi-Story Building Hallways/Common Areas Less Than 32''
Wide
Routes Obstructed or Inaccessible to Wheelchair
Multi-Story Building Hallways/Common Areas Less Than 36'' Wide (FHEO/
UFAS--Common Areas)
Deficiency: For multi-story buildings that are inspected, verify
that the interior hallways to the inspected units and common areas
are at least 36'' wide.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The interior hallways are less than 36'' wide.
Routes Obstructed or Inaccessible to Wheelchair (FHEO/UFAS--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: Verify that at least 1 route to all outside common
areas is accessible to wheelchairs (i.e., there are curb cuts,
ramps, and sufficient (36'') width).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The common areas are either obstructed or are not
accessible by wheelchairs.
Floors (Common Areas)
The visible horizontal surface system within a room or area
underfoot; the horizontal division between 2 stories of a structure.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Bulging/Buckling
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/Tiles
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Peeling/Needs Paint
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor
Soft Floor Covering Damaged
Bulging/Buckling (Floors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The floor is bowed, deflected, sagging, or is no
longer aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging, or a problem with
alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/Tiles (Floors--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: You see that hard flooring, terrazo, hardwood,
ceramic tile, sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, or other similar flooring
material, is missing a section(s), is damaged, or presents a
tripping or cutting hazard, associated with but not limited to,
holes or delamination.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For any single floor surface, you see deficiencies in
areas of the floor surface. You estimate that 5% to 10% of the floor
is affected, and there are no safety problems.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of any single floor
surface is affected, but there are no safety problems.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50% of any single floor
surface is affected by Level 1 deficiencies.
-OR-
The condition causes a safety problem.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Floors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure or evidence of water infiltration or
other moisture producing conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: On 1 floor, you see evidence of mold or mildew, such as
a darkened area, over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 3: On 1 floor, you estimate that a very large area (more
than 1 square foot) of its surface, has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold, or mildew. The floor surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Floors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: For floors that are painted, you see paint that is
peeling, cracking, flaking, or otherwise deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The area affected is more than 1 square foot, but less
than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The area affected is more than 4 square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor (Floors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The subfloor has decayed or is decaying.
Note:
1. If there is any doubt, apply weight to detect noticeable
deflection.
2. This type of defect typically occurs in kitchens and
bathrooms.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Evidence of small areas of rot, 1 to 4 square feet.
Level 3: Evidence of large areas of rot, more than 4 square
feet.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have concerns about health and
safety, inform the property representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damaged (Floors--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see damaged and/or missing soft floor covering.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You estimate that 5% to 10% of any single floor
covering has stains, surface burns, shallow cuts, small holes,
tears, loose areas, or exposed seams. The covering is fully
functional, and there is no safety hazard.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of any single floor
covering has stains, surface burns, shallow cuts, small holes,
tears, loose areas, or exposed seams. The covering is fully
functional, and there is no safety hazard.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50% of any single floor
covering is damaged.
-OR-
Damage to the soft floor covering exposes the underlying
material.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
GFI--Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The GFI does not function.
Note: To determine whether the GFI is functioning, you must
press the self-test button in the GFI unit.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The GFI does not function.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Graffiti (Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see crude inscriptions or drawings scratched,
painted, or sprayed on an interior building surface at 1 location.
An interior surface includes but is not limited to
[[Page 47749]]
walls, doors, ceiling, and floors. A location is defined as 1
general area in a building such as 1 hallway in a 10 story building
or 1 floor of a stairwell in a 5 story building.
Note: There is a difference between art forms and graffiti. If
there by design in accordance with proper authorization, do not
consider full wall murals and other art forms as graffiti.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see graffiti on an interior surface at 1 location
in the same building.
Level 2: You see graffiti at 2 to 5 locations on interior
surfaces in the same building.
Level 3: You see graffiti in 6 or more locations on interior
surfaces in the same building.
HVAC (Common Areas)
System to provide heating, cooling and ventilation to the unit.
This does not include building heating or cooling system
deficiencies such as boilers, chillers, circulating pumps,
distribution lines, fuel supply, etc., or occupant owned or supplied
heating sources.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/Damaged
General Rust/Corrosion
Inoperable
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/Damaged (HVAC--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: A cover on the convection/radiant heat system is
missing or damaged, which could cause a burn or related injury.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: At least 1 cover is missing or substantially damaged,
allowing contact with heating/surface elements or associated fans.
Comment:
Level 3: When the system is operational during an inspection and
you see a Level 3 deficiency, a real-time hazard exists, you must
record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated piping/ducting shows
evidence of flaking, oxidation, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see superficial surface rust.
Level 2: You see significant formations of metal oxides,
flaking, or discoloration, or a pit or crevice.
Level 3: Because of this condition, the equipment or piping does
not function.
Inoperable (HVAC--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The heating, cooling, or ventilation system does not
function.
Note: If the HVAC system does not operate because of seasonal
conditions, do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The HVAC system does not function; it does not provide
the heating or cooling it should. The system does not respond when
the controls are engaged.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (HVAC--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas, oil fired, or coal unit
is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an exhaust system on a gas
fired, oil fired or coal unit that may cause improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking (HVAC--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The HVAC distribution components, including fans,
are the source of unusual vibrations, leaks, or abnormal noise.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, screeching, squealing,
banging, shaking, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The HVAC system shows signs of abnormal vibrations,
other noise, or leaks when engaged. The system still provides enough
heating or cooling to maintain a minimum temperature range in the
major living areas.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Lavatory Sink--Damaged/Missing (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A sink, faucet, or accessories are missing, damaged,
or not functioning.
Note: If you see that a stopper is missing from a common area,
do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see extensive discoloration or cracks in over 50%
of the basin, but the sink can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink or associated hardware have failed or are
missing. The sink cannot be used.
Lighting--Missing/Damaged/Inoperable Fixture (Common Areas)
Deficiency: Lighting fixture is damaged, not functional, or
missing.
Note: To conserve energy during daytime or in low-use areas,
many facilities use alternate lights that are triggered by either a
sensor or a timer. If you see these kinds of lights, ask the
accompanying POA to verify that these conservation systems are in
place.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: 20% to 50% of the permanent lighting fixtures are
missing or damaged to the point where they do not function. This
results in inadequate lighting in the common area(s).
Level 3: More than 50% of the permanent lighting fixtures are
missing or damaged to the point where they do not function. This
results in inadequate lighting in the common area(s).
Mailboxes--Missing/Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox is
either missing or so damaged that it does not function properly.
Note: Do not inspect commercial deposit boxes, FedEx, UPS, etc.,
or U.S. Postal Service ``blue boxes.''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox cannot be
locked.
-OR-
The U.S. Postal Service resident/unit mailbox is missing.
Outlets/Switches/Cover Plates--Missing/Broken (Common Areas)
The receptacle connected to a power supply or method to control
the flow of electricity. Included are 2 and 3 prong outlets, ground
fault interrupters, pull cords, 2 and 3 pole switches and dimmer
switches.
Deficiency:
--The flush plate that covers the opening around a switch or outlet
is damaged or missing.
-OR-
--A switch or outlet is missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An outlet or switch has a broken cover plate over a
junction box, but it does not result in exposed wiring.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: An outlet or switch is missing.
-OR-
A cover plate is missing or broken, resulting in exposed wiring.
Pedestrian/Wheelchair Ramp (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A pedestrian walkway or wheelchair ramp is damaged
or does not function as it should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: A walkway or ramp shows signs of deterioration and
requires repair, but it can be used by people on foot, in
wheelchairs, or using walkers.
Level 3: A walkway or ramp is damaged and cannot be used by
people on foot, in wheelchairs, or using walkers.
Plumbing (Common Areas)
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Clogged Drains
Leaking Faucet/Pipes
Clogged Drains (Plumbing--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Water does not drain adequately from the shower,
sink, tub, or basin.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Water does not drain freely, but the fixture can be
used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The drain is completely clogged or has suffered
extensive deterioration. The fixture cannot be used.
Leaking Faucet/Pipes (Plumbing--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see that the sink faucet or piping is leaking.
[[Page 47750]]
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a leak or drip that is contained by the basin
and pipes, and the faucet can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a steady leak that is adversely affecting the
surrounding area.
-OR-
The faucet/pipe cannot be used.
Pools and Related Structures (Common Areas)
This inspectable item has the following deficiencies:
Damaged/Not Intact Fencing/Gates(s)
Inoperable
Damaged/Not Intact Fencing/Gate(s) (Pools and Related Structures--
Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see that fencing and/or a gate(s) around the
swimming pool is damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any damage that could compromise the integrity
of the fence and/or gate(s).
Inoperable (Pools and Related Structures--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The pool was not in operation during the inspection.
Note: If the pool is open for the season, it should be
operational. If the pool is closed for the season, do not record
this is a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The pool is not operational.
-OR-
You see unsafe conditions at the pool/pool area that could cause
an injury.
Range Hood/Exhaust Fans--Excessive Grease/Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The apparatus that draws out cooking exhaust does
not function as it should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: An accumulation of dirt, grease, or other barrier
noticeably reduces the free passage of air.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The exhaust fan does not function.
-OR-
You estimate that the flue may be completely blocked.
Range/Stove--Missing/Damaged/Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The unit is missing or damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The operation of doors or drawers is impeded, but the
stove is functioning. On gas ranges, flames are not distributed
equally. The pilot light is out on 1 or more burners.
Level 2: One burner is not functioning.
Level 3: The unit is missing.
-OR-
Two or more burners are not functioning.
-OR-
The oven is not functioning.
Comment:
Level 3: If you think this condition is a health and safety
concern, record it under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Refrigerator--Damaged/Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The refrigerator is missing or does not cool
adequately to store food safely.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The refrigerator has an excessive accumulation of ice.
-OR-
The seals around the doors are deteriorated.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The refrigerator is missing.
-OR-
The refrigerator does not cool adequately for the safe storage
of food.
Restroom Cabinet--Damaged/Missing (Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see damaged or missing cabinets, vanity tops,
drawers, shelves, doors, medicine cabinets, or vanities.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damaged or missing cabinets, vanity tops,
drawers, shelves, doors, medicine cabinets or vanities that are not
functioning as they should for storage or their intended purpose.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Shower/Tub--Damaged/Missing (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The shower, tub, or components are damaged or
missing.
Note: A missing stopper in a common area is not a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: The shower or tub can be used, but you see cracks or
extensive discoloration in more than 50% of the basin.
Level 3: The shower or tub cannot be used for any reason. The
shower, tub, faucets, drains, or associated hardware is missing or
has failed.
Sink--Missing/Damaged (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A sink, faucet, or accessories are missing, damaged,
or not functioning.
Note: If a stopper is missing, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see extensive discoloration or cracks in 50% or
more of the basin, but the sink and hardware can still be used to
prepare food.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink or hardware is either missing or not
functioning.
Smoke Detector--Missing/Inoperable (Common Areas)
Sensor to detect the presence of smoke and activate an alarm.
May be battery operated or hard-wired to electrical system. May
provide visual signal, audible signal, or both.
Deficiency:
--A smoke detector will not activate.
-OR-
--A hardwired smoke detector is missing.
Note:
1. If a smoke detector is there, it must function as it should.
2. ``Missing'' means that evidence suggests that unauthorized
personnel have removed a hardwired smoke detector that should be
there.
3. If 2 or more smoke detectors are on the same level in visible
proximity, at least 1 of the smoke detectors must function as it
should.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A single smoke detector is missing or does not function
as it should.
Stairs/Hand Railings Damaged (Common Areas)
Series of 4 or more steps or flights of steps joined by landings
connecting levels of a common area. Includes supports, frame,
treads, handrails.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps
Broken/Missing Hand Railing
Broken/Damaged/Missing Steps (Stairs/Hand Railings Damaged--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The horizontal tread or stair surface is damaged or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A step is broken or missing.
Broken/Missing Hand Railing (Stairs/Hand Railings Damaged--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The handrail is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The handrail for 4 or more stairs is either missing,
damaged, loose, or otherwise unusable.
Ventilation/Exhaust System--Inoperable (Common Areas)
Deficiency: The apparatus used to exhaust air has failed.
Note: If there was never a bathroom fan, do not record this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An exhaust fan is not functioning.
-OR-
A bathroom window cannot be opened.
Level 3: N/A
Walls (Common Areas)
The enclosures of units and rooms. Materials for construction
include concrete, masonry block, brick, wood, glass block, plaster,
sheet-rock. Surface finish materials include paint or wall
coverings.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Bulging/Buckling
Damaged
Damaged/Deteriorated Trim
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Peeling/Needs Paint
Bulging/Buckling (Walls--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A wall is bowed, deflected, sagging, or is no longer
aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
[[Page 47751]]
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging, or a lack of
horizontal alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of the
condition, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Damaged (Walls--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see cracks and/or punctures in the wall surface
that may or may not penetrate completely. Panels or tiles may be
missing or damaged.
Note:
1. This does not include small holes from hanging pictures, etc.
2. Control joints/construction joints should not be recorded as
a deficiency.
3. Cracks that have been repaired or sealed properly should not
be considered a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: In a wall, you find a hole, crack, missing tile or
panel, or other damage that is between 1 square inch and 8\1/2\
inches by 11 inches and does not penetrate the adjoining room/area.
You cannot see through it to the adjoining area.
-OR-
You find a crack greater than 1/8 inch wide and at least 11
inches long.
Level 2: In a wall, you find a hole, missing tile or panel, or
other damage that is larger than a sheet of paper, 8\1/2\ inches by
11 inches, and does not penetrate the adjoining room. You cannot see
through it to the adjoining area.
Level 3: You find a hole of any size that penetrates an
adjoining room. You can see through the hole.
-OR-
Two or more walls have Level 2 holes.
Comments:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
If you as an inspector have concerns about the possibility of
failure, inform the property representative that an inspection by a
professional engineer is suggested.
Damaged/Deteriorated Trim (Walls--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Cove molding, chair rail, base molding, or other
decorative trim is damaged or has decayed.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you should be given a list
of UFAS buildings/units. For the buildings/units on this list, do
not record superficial surface/paint damage caused by wheelchairs,
walkers, or medical devices as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small areas of deterioration in the trim
surfaces, and you estimate that 5% to 10% of the wall area is
affected.
Level 2: You see large areas of deterioration in the trim
surfaces, and you estimate that 10% to 50% of the wall area is
affected.
Level 3: You see significant areas of deterioration in the wall
surfaces, and you estimate that more than 50% of the wall area is
affected.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Walls--Common Areas)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure or evidence of water infiltration or
other moisture producing conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 wall, you see evidence of mold or mildew, such as
a darkened area, over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 wall, you estimate that a very large area (more
than 1 square foot) of its surface has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold, or mildew. The wall surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Walls--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Paint is peeling, cracking, flaking, or otherwise
deteriorated.
Note: Before the inspection starts, you should be given a list
of UFAS buildings/units. For the buildings/items on this list, do
not record as deficiencies any superficial surface/paint damage
caused by wheelchairs, walkers, or medical devices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The affected area affected is 1 to 4 square feet on 2
or more walls.
Level 2: The affected area is more than 4 square feet on any
wall or walls.
Level 3: N/A
Water Closet/Toilet--Damaged/Clogged/Missing (Common Areas)
Deficiency: A water closet/toilet is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Fixture elements, seat, flush handle, cover etc., are
missing or damaged.
-OR-
The toilet seat is cracked, or the hinge is broken.
Level 3: The bowl is fractured or broken and cannot retain
water.
-OR-
The water closet/toilet is missing.
-OR-
There is a hazardous condition.
-OR-
The water closet/toilet cannot be flushed, because of
obstruction or another defect.
Windows (Common Areas)
Window systems provide light, security, and exclusion of
exterior noise, glare, dust, heat, and cold. Frame materials include
wood, aluminum, and vinyl.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes
Damaged/Missing Screens
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim
Inoperable/Not Lockable
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound
Peeling/Needs Paint
Security Bars Prevent Egress
Cracked/Broken/Missing Panes (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A glass pane is cracked, broken, or missing from the
window sash.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a cracked window pane.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that a glass pane is broken or missing from the
window sash.
Damaged/Missing Screens (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Screens are punctured, torn, otherwise damaged, or
missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: One or more screen(s) in a common area are punctured,
torn, otherwise damaged, or missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Damaged Sills/Frames/Lintels/Trim (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: The sill, frames, sash lintels or trim are damaged
by decay, rust, rot, corrosion, or other deterioration.
Note: Damage does not include scratches and cosmetic
deficiencies.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damage to sills, frames, sash lintels or trim,
but nothing is missing. The inside of the surrounding wall is not
exposed. You see no impact on either the operation or functioning of
the window or on its weather tightness.
Level 2: Sills, frames, sash lintels, or trim are missing or
damaged enough to expose the inside of the surrounding walls and
compromise its weather tightness.
Level 3: N/A
Inoperable/Not Lockable (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: A window cannot be opened or closed because of
damage to the frame, faulty hardware, or another cause.
Note:
1. If a window is not designed to lock, do not record this as a
deficiency.
2. Windows that are accessible from the outside, for example, a
ground level window, must be lockable.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A window is not functioning, but can be secured. Other
windows in the immediate area are functioning.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A window is not functioning and cannot be secured. In
the immediate area, there are no other windows that are functioning
properly.
Missing/Deteriorated Caulking/Seals/Glazing Compound (Windows--Common
Areas)
Deficiency: The caulk, seals or glazing compound that resists
weather is missing or deteriorated.
Note:
1. This includes Thermopane and insulated windows that have
failed.
2. Caulk and seals are considered to be deteriorated when 2 or
more seals for any window have lost their elasticity. (If the seals
crumble and flake when touched, they have lost their elasticity.)
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Most of the window shows missing or deteriorated caulk,
seals and/or glazing compound, but there is no evidence of damage to
the window or surrounding structure.
Level 2: N/A
[[Page 47752]]
Level 3: There are missing or deteriorated caulk, seals, and/or
glazing compound with Evidence of leaks or damage to the window or
surrounding structure.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Paint covering the window assembly or trim is
peeling, cracking, flaking, or otherwise failing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking or
otherwise failing, or a window that needs paint.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Security Bars Prevent Egress (Windows--Common Areas)
Deficiency: Exiting or egress is severely limited or impossible
because security bars are damaged or improperly constructed or
installed. Security bars that are designed to open should open. If
they do not open, record a deficiency.
Note: Inspector should verify that the security bars if opened
do not activate an alarm that would alarm or summon outside
authorities (police, etc.).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Exiting or egress is severely limited or impossible
because security bars are damaged, improperly constructed/installed,
or security bars that are designed to open cannot be readily opened.
Unit Inspectable Items
Items to inspect for ``Unit'' are as follows:
Bathroom
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
Bathroom (Unit)
A room equipped with a water closet or toilet, tub and/or
shower, sink, cabinet(s) and/or closet. This inspectable item can
have the following deficiencies:
Bathroom Cabinets--Damaged/Missing
Lavatory Sink--Damaged/Missing
Plumbing--Clogged Drains
Plumbing--Leaking Faucet/Pipes
Shower/Tub--Damaged/Missing
Ventilation/Exhaust System--Inoperable
Water Closet/Toilet--Damaged/Clogged/Missing
Bathroom Cabinets--Damaged/Missing (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: You see damaged or missing cabinets, vanity tops,
drawers, shelves, doors, medicine cabinets, or vanities.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see damaged or missing cabinets, vanity tops,
drawers, shelves, doors, medicine cabinets or vanities that are not
functioning as they should for storage or their intended purpose.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Lavatory Sink--Damaged/Missing (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: A basin (sink) is missing or shows signs of
deterioration or distress.
Note: If you see the stopper near the sink area, do not record
it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The sink can be used, but you see either of these:
--There are cracks or extensive discoloration in more than 50% of
the basin;
-OR-
- A stopper is missing.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The sink cannot be used, because the sink or associated
hardware is missing or has failed.
Plumbing--Clogged Drains (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: Water does not drain adequately in the shower, tub,
or basin (sink).
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: Water does not drain freely, but the fixtures can be
used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The fixtures are not usable, because the drain is
completely clogged or shows extensive deterioration.
Plumbing--Leaking Faucet/Pipes (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: You see that a basin, shower, water closet, tub
faucet, or associated pipes are leaking water.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see a leak or drip that is contained by the basin,
and the faucet or pipe can be used.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see a steady leak that is adversely affecting the
area around it.
-OR-
The faucet or pipe cannot be used.
Shower/Tub--Damaged/Missing (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: The shower, tub, or components are damaged or
missing. This includes associated hardware, such as grab bars,
shower doors, etc.
Note:
1. This does not include leaking faucets and pipes.
2. If you see the stopper near the shower/tub area, do not
record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A stopper is missing.
Level 2: The shower or tub can be used, but you see cracks or
extensive discoloration in more than 50% of the basin.
Level 3: The shower or tub cannot be used for any reason. The
shower, tub, faucets, drains, or associated hardware is missing or
has failed.
Ventilation/Exhaust System--Inoperable (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: The apparatus used to exhaust air has failed.
Note:
1. If a resident has blocked an exhaust fan but it can function
properly, do not record this as a deficiency.
2. If a resident has disconnected a fan, consider it functional
if it can be immediately reconnected for your inspection.
3. If there was never a bathroom fan, do not record this as a
deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: An exhaust fan is not functioning.
-OR-
A bathroom window cannot be opened.
Level 3: N/A
Water Closet/Toilet--Damaged/Clogged/Missing (Bathroom--Unit)
Deficiency: A water closet/toilet is damaged or missing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: Fixture elements, seat, flush handle, cover etc., are
missing or damaged.
-OR-
The toilet seat is cracked, or the hinge is broken.
Level 3: The bowl is fractured or broken and cannot retain
water.
-OR-
The water closet/toilet is missing.
-OR-
There is a hazardous condition.
-OR-
The water closet/toilet cannot be flushed, because of
obstruction or another defect.
Call-for-Aid--Inoperable (Unit)
System to summon help. May be visual, audible, or both. May be
activated manually or automatically when pre-programmed conditions
are met.
Deficiency: The system does not function.
Note: Inspector should verify that the Call-for-Aid only alerts
local entities (on-site) prior to testing.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The system does not function.
Ceiling (Unit)
The visible overhead structure lining the inside of a room or
area.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Bulging/Buckling
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks
Peeling/Needs Paint
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Bulging/Buckling (Ceiling--Unit)
Deficiency: The ceiling is bowed, deflected, sagging, or is no
longer aligned horizontally to the extent that ceiling failure is
possible.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging, or a problem with
alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have concerns about the
possibility of failure, inform the property representative that an
inspection by a professional engineer is suggested.
[[Page 47753]]
Holes/Missing Tiles/Panels/Cracks (Ceiling--Unit)
Deficiency:
- The ceiling surface has punctures that may or may not penetrate
completely.
-OR-
- Panels or tiles are missing or damaged.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see small holes that are no larger than a sheet of
paper, 8\1/2\ inches by 11 inches.
-OR-
No hole or crack penetrates the area above.
-OR-
You see that no more than 3 tiles or panels are missing.
-OR-
You see a crack more than \1/8\ inch wide and 11 inches long.
Level 2: You see a hole that is larger than a sheet of paper,
8\1/2\ inches by 11 inches, but it does not penetrate the area
above. You cannot see through it.
-OR-
You see that more than 3 tiles or panels are missing.
-OR-
You see a crack more than \1/8\ inch wide and 11 inches long.
Level 3: You see a hole that penetrates the area above. You can
see through it.
Comment:
Level 3: If a hole or crack is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Peeling/Needs Paint (Ceiling--Unit)
Deficiency:
--You see paint that is peeling, cracking, flaking, or otherwise
deteriorated.
-OR-
--You see a surface that is not painted.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The affected area is larger than 1 square foot, but
smaller than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The affected area is larger than 4 square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Ceiling--Unit)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure or evidence of water infiltration or
other moisture producing conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: On 1 ceiling, you see evidence of mold or mildew, such
as a darkened area, over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: On 1 ceiling, you estimate that a very large area (more
than 1 square foot) of its surface has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold or mildew. The ceiling surface may have failed.
Doors (Unit)
Means of access to the interior of a unit, room within the unit,
or closet. Doors provide privacy and security, control passage,
provide fire and weather resistance.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim
Damaged Hardware/Locks
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass)
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only)
Missing Door
Damaged Frames/Threshold/Lintels/Trim (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: You see a frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim that is warped, split, cracked, or broken.
Note: If you see damage to a door's hardware, (locks, hinges,
etc.) record this under ``Damage Hardware/Locks (Doors--Unit).''
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: At least 1 door is not functioning or cannot be locked
because of damage to the frame, header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or
trim.
Level 3: At least 1 bathroom door or entry door is not
functioning or cannot be locked because of damage to the frame,
header, jamb, threshold, lintel, or trim.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Damaged Hardware/Locks (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: The attachments to a door that provide hinging,
hanging, opening, closing, surface protection, or security are
damaged or missing. These include locks, panic hardware, overhead
door tracks, springs and pulleys, sliding door tracks and hangers,
and door closures.
Note:
1. If a door is designed to have a lock, the lock should work.
If a door is designed without locks, do not record it as a
deficiency.
2. If a lock has been removed from an interior door, do not
record this as a deficiency.
3. 504 units have had locks removed. Before you start the
inspection, you should be given a list of units relative to UFAS. Do
not record these missing locks as deficiencies.
4. For public housing, if a lock on a bedroom door is missing or
damaged, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A closet door does not function as it should because of
damage to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A closet door that requires locking cannot be locked because of
damage to the door's hardware.
Level 2: A door, other than a closet door, does not function as
it should because of damage to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A door, other than a closet door, that requires locking cannot
be locked because of damage to the door's hardware.
Level 3: A bathroom door or entry door does not function as it
should because of damage to the door's hardware.
-OR-
A bathroom door or entry door that requires locking cannot be
locked because of damage to the door's hardware.
Damaged Surface (Holes/Paint/Rust/Glass) (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: This includes holes, peeling/cracking/no paint,
broken glass and significant rust. You see damage to the door
surface that:
--May affect either the surface protection or the strength of the
door.
-OR-
--May compromise building security.
Note: If the door is a bathroom door or entry door, this is a
Level 3 deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: One interior door, not a bathroom or entry door, has a
hole or holes with a diameter ranging from [frac14] inch to 1 inch.
Level 3: One door has a hole or holes larger than 1 inch in
diameter, significant peeling/cracking/no paint, rust that affects
the integrity of the door surface, or broken/missing glass.
-OR-
If a bathroom door or entry door has Level 2 damage.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Damaged/Missing Screen/Storm/Security Door (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: You see damage to surfaces, including screens,
glass, frames, hardware, and door surfaces.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: At least 1 screen door or storm door is damaged or is
missing screens or glass, as shown by an empty frame or frames.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A security door is not functioning or missing.
Comment:
Level 3: ``Missing'' applies only if a security door that should
be there is not there.
Deteriorated/Missing Seals (Entry Only) (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: The seals and stripping around the entry door(s) to
resist weather and fire are damaged or missing.
Note: This defect applies only to entry doors that were designed
with seals. If a door shows evidence that a seal was never part of
its design, do not record it as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The seals are missing on 1 entry door, or they are so
damaged that they do not function as they should.
Missing Door (Doors--Unit)
Deficiency: A door is missing.
Note:
1. If a bathroom or entry door is missing, record this as a
Level 3 deficiency.
2. If a bedroom door has been removed to improve access for an
elderly or handicapped resident, do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: A door is missing, but it is not a bathroom door or
entry door.
Level 2: Two doors or up to 50% of the doors are missing, but
they are not bathroom
[[Page 47754]]
doors or entry doors, and the condition presents no hazard.
Level 3: A bathroom door or entry door is missing.
-OR-
You estimate that more than 50% of the unit doors, not including
bathroom doors and entry doors, are missing.
Electrical System (Unit)
Portion of the unit that safely provides electrical power
throughout the building. Includes equipment that provides control,
protection, metering, and service.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiency:
Blocked Access to Electric Panel
Burnt Breakers
Evidence of Leaks Corrosion
sbull; Frayed Wiring
GFI Inoperable
Missing Breakers/Fuses
Missing Covers
Blocked Access to Electrical Panel (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: A fixed obstruction or item of sufficient size and
weight can delay or prevent access to any panel board switch in an
emergency.
Note: If you see an item that is easy to remove, like a picture,
do not note this as a deficient.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: One or more fixed item(s) of sufficient size and weight
can impede access to the unit's electrical panel during an
emergency.
Burnt Breakers (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: Breakers have carbon on the plastic body, or the
plastic body is melted and scarred.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any carbon residue, melted breakers, or arcing
scars.
Evidence of Leaks/Corrosion (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: You see liquid stains, rust marks, or other signs of
corrosion on electrical enclosures or hardware.
Note: Do not consider surface rust a deficiency if it does not
affect the condition of the electrical enclosure.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: Any corrosion that affects the condition of the
components that carry electrical current.
-OR-
Any stains or rust on the interior of electrical enclosures.
-OR-
Any evidence of water leaks in the enclosure or hardware.
Frayed Wiring (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: You see nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose wires that conduct current.
Note: Do not consider this a deficiency for wires that are not
intended to be insulated, such as grounding wires.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any nicks, abrasions, or fraying of the
insulation that expose any conducting wire.
Comment:
Level 3: If the condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and
Safety).''
GFI--Inoperable (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: The GFI does not function.
Note: To determine whether the GFI is functioning, you must
press the self-test button in the GFI unit.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The GFI does not function.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it under ``Electrical Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Missing Breakers/Fuses (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: In a panel board, main panel board, or other
electrical box that contains circuit breakers/fuses, you see an open
circuit breaker position that is not appropriately blanked-off.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see an open breaker port.
Missing Covers (Electrical System--Unit)
Deficiency: The cover is missing from any electrical device box,
panel box, switch gear box, control panel, etc., with exposed
electrical connections.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: A cover is missing, and you see exposed electrical
connections.
Floors (Unit)
The visible horizontal surface system within a room or area
underfoot; the horizontal division between 2 stories of a structure.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Bulging/Buckling
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/Tiles
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage
Peeling/Needs Paint
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor
Soft Floor Covering Damage
Bulging/Buckling (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: A floor is bowed, deflected, sagging, or is no
longer aligned horizontally.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see bulging, buckling, sagging, or a lack of
horizontal alignment.
Comment:
Level 3: If you have any doubt about the severity of this
condition, request an inspection by a structural engineer.
Hard Floor Covering Missing/Damaged Flooring/Tiles (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: You see that hard flooring, terrazzo, hardwood,
ceramic tile, sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, or other similar flooring
material, is missing section(s), is missing, or presents a tripping
or cutting hazard, associated with but not limited to holes or
delamination.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: For any single floor surface, you see deficiencies in
areas of the floor surface. You estimate that 5% to 10% of the floor
is affected, and there are no safety problems.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of any single floor
surface is affected, but there are no safety problems.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50% of any single floor
surface is affected by Level 1 deficiencies.
-OR-
The condition causes a safety problem.
Mold/Mildew/Water Stains/Water Damage (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew that may have been caused by
saturation or surface failure or evidence of water infiltration or
other moisture producing conditions.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: On 1 floor, you see evidence of mold or mildew, such as
a darkened area, over a large area (4 square inches to 1 square
foot). You may or may not see water.
Level 3: On 1 floor, you estimate that a very large area (more
than 1 square foot) of its surface has been substantially saturated
or damaged by mold or mildew. The floor surface may have failed.
Peeling/Needs Paint (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: For floors that are painted, you see paint that is
peeling, cracking, flaking, or otherwise deteriorated.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The area affected is more than 1 square foot, but less
than 4 square feet.
Level 2: The area affected is more than 4 square feet.
Level 3: N/A
Rot/Deteriorated Subfloor (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: The subfloor has decayed or is decaying.
Note:
1. If there is any doubt, apply weight to detect noticeable
deflection.
2. This type of defect typically occurs in kitchens and
bathrooms.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: You see small areas of rot or spongy flooring that is
more than 1 square foot, but less than 4 square feet.
Level 3: You see large areas of rot, more than 4 square feet,
and applying weight causes noticeable deflection.
Comment:
Level 3: If you as an inspector have concerns about the health
and safety, inform the property representative that an inspection by
a professional engineer is suggested.
[[Page 47755]]
Soft Floor Covering Missing/Damage (Floors--Unit)
Deficiency: You see damaged and/or missing soft floor covering.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You estimate that only 5% to 10% of any single soft
floor covering has stains, surface burns, shallow cuts, small holes,
tears, loose areas, or exposed seams. The covering is fully
functional, and there is no safety hazard.
Level 2: You estimate that 10% to 50% of any single soft floor
covering has burn marks, cuts, tears, holes, or large sections of
exposed seams that expose the underlying material. There is no
safety hazard.
Level 3: You estimate that more than 50% of any single soft
floor covering is damaged.
-OR-
Damage to the soft floor covering exposes the underlying
material.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Hot Water Heater (Unit)
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
General Rust/Corrosion
Inoperable Unit/Components
Leaking Valves/Tanks/Pipes
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
Missing Pressure Relief Valve
General Rust/Corrosion (Hot Water Heater--Unit)
Deficiency: The equipment or associated piping/ducting shows
evidence of flaking, oxidation, discoloration, pitting, or crevices.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see superficial surface rust.
Level 2: You see significant formations of metal oxides,
flaking, discoloration, or a pit or crevice.
Level 3: Because of this condition, the equipment or piping does
not function.
Inoperable Unit/Components (Hot Water Heater--Unit)
Deficiency: Hot water supply is not available, because the
system or system components have malfunctioned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: After running, water from the hot water taps is not
warmer than room temperature.
Leaking Valves/Tanks/Pipes (Hot Water Heater--Unit)
Deficiency: You see water leaking from any hot water system
component, including valve flanges, stems, bodies, domestic hot
water tank, or its piping.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see water leaking.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (Hot Water Heater--Unit)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on a gas fired or oil fired unit
is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an exhaust system on a gas
fired or oil fired unit that may cause improper or dangerous venting
of gases.
Missing Pressure Relief Valve (Hot Water Heater--Unit)
Deficiency: The pressure relief valve on the unit water heating
system is missing or does not extend to the floor.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see that the pressure relief valve on the unit
water heating system is either missing or does not extend to the
floor.
HVAC System (Unit)
System to provide heating, cooling and ventilation to the unit.
This does not include building heating or cooling system
deficiencies such as boilers, chillers, circulating pumps,
distribution lines, fuel supply, etc., or occupant owned or supplied
heating sources.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/Damaged
General Rust/Corrosion
Inoperable
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking
Convection/Radiant Heat System Covers Missing/Damaged (HVAC--Unit)
Deficiency: A cover on the convection/radiant heat system is
missing or damaged, which could cause a burn or related injury.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: At least 1 cover is missing or substantially damaged,
allowing contact with heating/surface elements or associated fans.
Comment:
Level 3: When the system is operational during an inspection and
you see a Level 3 deficiency, a real-time hazard exists, you must
record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
General Rust/Corrosion (HVAC--Unit)
Deficiency: You see a component of the system with deterioration
from oxidation or corrosion of system parts. Deterioration is
defined as rust and/or formations of metal oxides, flaking, or
discoloration, or a pit or crevice.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: You see deterioration from rust and corrosion on the
HVAC units in the dwelling unit. The system still provides enough
heating or cooling.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Inoperable (HVAC--Unit)
Deficiency: The heating, cooling, or ventilation system does not
function.
Note: If the HVAC system does not operate because of seasonal
conditions, do not record this as a deficiency.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: The HVAC system does not function; it does not provide
the heating or cooling it should. The system does not respond when
the controls are engaged.
Comment:
Level 3: If this condition is a health and safety concern, you
must record it manually under ``Hazards (Health and Safety).''
Misaligned Chimney/Ventilation System (HVAC--Unit)
Deficiency: The exhaust system on either a gas, oil fired, or
coal unit is misaligned.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: N/A
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: You see any misalignment of an exhaust system on a gas
fired, oil fired or coal unit that may cause improper or dangerous
venting of gases.
Noisy/Vibrating/Leaking (HVAC--Unit)
Deficiency: The HVAC distribution components, including fans,
are the source of unusual vibrations, leaks, or abnormal noise.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, screeching, squealing,
banging, shaking, etc.
Level of Deficiency:
Level 1: The HVAC system shows signs of abnormal vibrations,
other noise, or leaks when engaged. The system still provides enough
heating or cooling to maintain a minimum temperature range in the
major living areas.
Level 2: N/A
Level 3: N/A
Kitchen (Unit)
A place where food is cooked or prepared. The facilities and
equipment used in preparing and serving food.
This inspectable item can have the following deficiencies:
Cabinets--Missing/Damaged