Inspections

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has postponed the implementation of NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate). Originally scheduled for October 1, 2025, the new effective date is February 1, 2027.

Renton Housing Authority (RHA) will begin using NSPIRE standards for inspections starting January 1, 2027.


Although the rollout of NSPIRE has been delayed, compliance with Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm requirements remains mandatory, as these are part of federal safety laws already in effect.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

  • Required in units with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.

This includes, but is not limited to:

      • □Natural gas stoves
      • □Hot water heaters/tanks
      • □Gas dryers
      • □Fireplaces
      • □Furnaces
      • □Any other combustion-based appliances

  • It became a required inspection item on December 27, 2022.

  • RHA follows the NSPIRE CO standards (see HUD Notice PIH 2022-01 for more details.)

Smoke Alarms

Landlords must ensure that all smoke alarms meet current safety standards as outlined by the Federal Fire Safety Act of 1992 and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72:

  • Device Type: Must be either:

      • □ Hardwired with battery backup, or
      • □Sealed, non-rechargeable 10-year lithium battery

  • Tamper Resistance: Must be sealed and tamper-resistant to prevent disabling or removal.

  • Interconnection: Smoke alarms must be interconnected, so that when one alarm sounds, all alarms in the unit sound simultaneously (only in New Construction or Rehabilitation after the following dates:

      • □ 1988: Model building codes, including BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI, began requiring smoke alarms in sleeping rooms to be interconnected.
      • □ 1989: The NFPA's NFPA 74 standard was updated to require interconnected smoke alarms in all
      • □ 2000: The International Residential Code (IRC) began requiring interconnection since its first edition.

  • Hush/Silence Function: Must include a hush/silence button to temporarily silence nuisance alarms without disabling the unit.

  • Notification for Hearing Impaired: Alarms must provide visual or tactile notification for individuals with hearing loss, in compliance with NFPA 72 or its successor standards.

These standards are already in effect and will be reinforced under NSPIRE in 2027.

Key Requirements:

  • Smoke alarm should be installed high on walls or ceilings.

      • □If mounted on the ceiling, then it must be greater than 4 inches from the wall.
      • □If mounted on the wall, then the top edge of the smoke alarm cannot be closer than 4 inches or greater than 12 inches from the ceiling.

  • Smoke alarm should be installed at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.

  • Smoke alarm should not:

      • □Be installed near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
      • □Be painted or have decorative stickers or other decorations present.

  • The unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, in the following locations:

      • □On each level of the unit; - Inside each bedroom.
      • □Within 21 feet of any door to a bedroom measured along a path of travel; and
      • □Where a smoke detector installed outside a bedroom is separated from an adjacent living area by a door, a smoke detector must also be installed on the living area side of the door.

Renton Housing Authority Inspection Policy

The Renton Housing Authority follows a biennial inspection schedule (once every two years), which may occur as early as 60 days prior to the annual recertification date.

However, for failed inspections, if a unit on a biennial schedule does not pass inspection, it may be moved back to an annual inspection schedule. Once the unit demonstrates a consistent pattern of compliance, it may then return to the biennial inspection cycle.

RHA Inspection Guidelines

Initial Inspections

  • Conducted Monday – Thursday only.

  • If the unit fails, the landlord has a strict limit of 3 attempts within 30 days to complete all necessary repairs (General Deficiencies).

  • If a life-threatening deficiency is identified during the inspection and not corrected within 24 hours, the tenant cannot proceed with lease-up. In such cases, the tenant will be required to search for another unit.

  • If repairs are not completed in that timeframe, the potential resident must look for another unit.

Inspection Scheduled

  • Annual/Biannual/Special/ & Quality Control Inspections: Conducted Monday – Thursday.

  • Reinspection’s: Conducted Tuesday – Friday

  • If a life-threatening deficiency is identified during the inspection and not corrected within 24 hours, the unit will be automatically placed in abatement until a passing inspection is completed.

  • If a general (30 days/3 attempts) deficiency is identified during the inspection and not corrected within the specified time frame, the unit will be placed in abatement.

Please note that the tenant is already living in the unit, so we cannot ask them to relocate until a certain period has passed since the unit was placed in abatement.

Access Requirements

(Tenant Responsibility)

As the tenant, you are required to comply with Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Please review the following guidelines carefully:

Inspection Attempt Policy

  • Tenants are allowed a maximum of two (2) reschedules or cancellations.

  • A third reschedule will be considered a FAILED inspection due to tenant responsibility.

  • After three (3) failed attempts, the termination of assistance process may be initiated.

Here is our Preparation checklist for HQS:

Termination Process

  • On the 3rd failed inspection, your Housing Specialist will be notified and may issue a Termination Letter.

  • Tenants will have 30 days from the date of the Termination Letter to successfully pass the inspection.

  • Failure to pass the inspection within this timeframe may result in termination of your housing voucher.

Refusal of Entry After 48-Hour Notice

If the tenant refuses entry after receiving proper 48-hour notice, the letter of violation may begin, potentially leading to termination of assistance.

Before any action is taken, the following supporting documentation is required (Supporting Documentation comes from the landlord:)

  • A photo of the 48-hour notice posted on the door (including unit number, if possible.)

  • A written statement from the individual who attempted to enter but was denied.

Once this documentation is submitted to the HCV Coordinator, the violation status begins.

Violation Progression:

  • 1st Attempt: 1st Violation Letter issued

  • 2nd Attempt: 2nd Violation Letter issued

  • 3rd Attempt: Termination of Assistance

🚫 If Inspector is Denied Entry / Could Not Enter (CNE)

If the inspector is unable to enter due to tenant refusal or inability to access the unit:

  • The inspector will leave a "Sorry We Missed You" door hanger notice.

  • The HCV Coordinator will then email or mail the tenant a result letter, based on the current number of attempts.

      • Note:
      • □If we have a valid email address on file, the letter will be sent via email within 24 hours of the scheduled inspection.
      • □This letter will also include the date and time of the newly scheduled reinspection.

  • Violation Progression:

  • 1st Attempt: 1st Violation Letter issued

  • 2nd Attempt: 2nd Violation Letter issued

  • 3rd Attempt: Termination of Assistance