RHA Inspection Guidelines

Initial Inspections
  • Conducted Monday – Thursday only.
  • If the unit fails, the landlord has a strict limit of 2 attempts within 30 days to complete all necessary repairs (non-life threatening (NLT).)
  • 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 Schedule
  • Annual/Biennial/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 non-life threatening (NLT)(30 Business days/2 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.
  • A second reschedule may result in termination of assistance.

    • Here is our Preparation checklist for HQS:
    CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED HQS INSPECTION CHECKLIST

    Rescheduling Policy

    Tenants are allowed a maximum of two (2) reschedules, subject to RHA’s inspection policies.

    First Reschedule Request

  • The tenant must contact Renton Housing Authority (RHA) before the scheduled inspection date.
  • The inspection will be rescheduled within five (5) business days of the original inspection date.

    • Second Reschedule Request

  • The second rescheduling request may be approved and must be scheduled within five (5) business days of the original inspection date.
  • A Violation Letter will be issued at the time of the second reschedule request.

    • Third Reschedule Request

  • A third reschedule request may be granted at RHA’s discretion and must be scheduled within five (5) business days, subject to applicable policies.
  • Further action, including the issuance of a Termination Letter, may be initiated in accordance with RHA policy.

    • 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

    Termination of Assistance Process:

  • Termination of Assistance letter may be issued for the following reasons:
    • □ Life-Threatening Deficiency – Tenant Responsibility If a life-threatening deficiency is determined to be the tenant’s responsibility and, upon reinspection, the deficiency has not been corrected, a Termination of Assistance letter may be issued.
    • □ Uncorrected Tenant-Responsible Deficiencies If, by the second inspection attempt (reinspection) or 30 days, whichever occurs first, the tenant-responsible deficiencies have not been corrected within the required timeframe, a Termination of Assistance may be initiated.
    • □ If the tenant receives two consecutive violation letters, the third notice will be a Termination of Assistance letter.

    Note: Violation letters may also be issued when a tenant refuses or denies required access, including:

  • The tenant denies the landlord or property management access to conduct necessary inspections or maintenance work.
  • The tenant denies or refuses entry to an RHA inspector for a scheduled inspection or reinspection.
  • The tenant was not home for the scheduled inspection and did not contact RHA to reschedule. The inspector documented the inspection as “Unable to Access Unit.”
  • 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.