Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
Fifteen Most Common Fail Items

These items were identified from experience and inspection reports by the Housing Choice Voucher Program
Inspections Department of the Gastonia Housing Authority, Gastonia, NC.
Socialserve.com gratefully acknowledges the contribution and reminds property
providers that other Inspections Departments may have differing opinions.

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL
HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR SPECIFIC COMPLIANCE DETAILS

Exterior

• Holes and cracks in foundation
• No screen in foundation vent
• Weatherproof doors
• Handrails required for 3 or more steps
• Horizontal spacing between the vertical members in required guardrails around porches must be a maximum of 4" at the nearest point between the members

Interior

• Smoke detectors in each bedroom
• Missing light globes
• No GFCI receptacles in kitchen and bathrooms.
• Windows painted shut
• No attic access
• R-19 insulation required in attic
• Refrigerator temps too high, must be no higher than 38 degrees
• Water temps too high, must be between 100 and 120 degrees
• Must have drain pipe to pressure relief valve on water heater

Interior and Exterior

• Peeling paint on window sills, trim