Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections

Sign up for the HQS inspections portal for direct access to inspection results. This is strongly recommended to be able to receive real-time updates regarding your inspection! Avoid the delay of mail transit and possible Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) abatements by opting-in to HQS inspections portal. Stay “in the know” on your housing quality standard inspections today! Landlords may also request repair extensions through this portal.

Important Note: Only the owner or the delegated agent will receive alerts from the HQS Inspection Portal. Ensure you create a process to receive alerts and updates for your business to stay informed.

Self-Certifications and Affidavits

The landlord is encouraged to keep a copy of any type of documentation in regards to transmittal including Repair Self-Certifications to CGI Federal or Affidavits to THDA (email, fax or mail) as proof of submission.

Repair Self-Certifications will pass on the date of receipt to CGI Federal (postmarked date, if mailed); not the date signed.

Extensions

The landlord must request an extension within the first 30 days of the unit failing inspection. An extension request requires documentation of the cause for delay in repairs (i.e., tenant unresponsive, outside vendor delays, etc.)

Abatement Process

CGI Federal is the contractor who manages THDA’s inspections. The landlord has 30 days to make required repairs in an assisted unit during an annual/biennial inspection. The landlord must return the signed Repair Self-Certification directly to CGI Federal. Do NOT send this information to THDA Offices.

  • Failure to repair and/or submit the Repair Self-Certification form to CGI by the 30 day deadline will result in the assisted unit going into abatement (Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are stopped) due to HQS (Housing Quality Standards) non-compliance.
  • Units in abatement will not receive Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) from THDA after the commencement of the abatement period.
  • The tenant is not responsible for paying the HAP portion during the abatement period.
  • HAP funds will resume to the landlord on the date the Repair Self-Certification is received by CGI, as long as it is received prior to the deadline.
  • If THDA paid HAP to the landlord and the unit is abated, THDA will recoup the overpaid HAP.

Biennial Inspections

After a unit is accepted into the program, it is inspected annually and/or biennially as long as it remains on the Program. The unit must have a successful annual inspection to transition to the biennial rotation and must have no recent special or complaint inspections. If the assisted unit has nine (9) or more failed inspections items, the unit will remain on the annual inspection rotation. If the assisted unit has eight (8) or fewer failed inspection items, the unit will transition to the biennial inspection rotation.