What Are Housing Quality Standards ("HQS")?

    All rental units subsidized under the Section 8 Program must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). HQS is a comprehensive program established by HUD to ensure that the housing it subsidizes remains decent, safe, and sanitary.

    The following summary of Housing Quality Standards is intended to help landlords prepare rental units for HQS inspections, and does not cover every aspect of the HQS regulations.

    What are HUD Requirements regarding Lead-Based Paint (LBP)?

    There are two main LBP requirements:
    (1) Disclosure (click HERE), and
    (2) Evaluation and Control (click HERE).

    A Disclosure Pamphlet in English, is available HERE; in Spanish-HERE.

    The HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (the Guidelines) provide detailed, comprehensive, technical information on how to identify lead-based paint hazards in housing and how to control such hazards safely and efficiently.     Units built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. Such units occupied by children under the age of six cannot have any substantial chipping or peeling paint, either on the interior or the exterior.

    HQS: General Requirements.

    The unit must include a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and one living/sleeping room for every two family members.

    • Ceilings and walls must be in good condition, with no large cracks, holes, peeling or chipping paint, or any loose plaster.

    • Floors must be in good condition. The floor covering must not be curling or have loose edges or holes.

    • Windows, including sills, frames, and sashes; must be in good operating condition and must open and close.

    • There can be no broken, cracked, or missing panes. Windows must have permanently attached, adequate locks.

    • All rooms must have either two working outlets; or one working outlet and an overhead light or light fixture.

    • All outlets, switches, and electrical boxes must have covers with no exposed or fraying wires. All electrical splices must be properly contained in junction boxes with covers.


    Kitchen

    • Stove. All burners must work. If equipped with a pilot light, the pilot light must light the burners.
    • The oven must work and its door must close tightly. All parts must be functional.
    • Refrigerator. The door gasket must be attached to the door, forming a proper seal.
    • Sink. Must have hot and cold running water, a drain with trap, and be properly hooked to a sewer line. Neither the faucet or sink can leak or drip.
    • Counters, Cabinets.  There must be adequate food preparation and storage areas, with adequate means to dispose of food wastes.


    Bathroom

    • Toilet. There must be a private flush toilet fastened tightly to the floor.
    • Sink. See Kitchen.
    • Tub or Shower. There must be a bathtub or shower.
    • Ventilation. There must be adequate ventilation either from an operable window or an exhaust fan.
    • Floor. There can be no rotten or weak areas in the floor, or any water damage.


    Bedrooms

    Windows must open and be large enough to use as an emergency exit. There must be a door which can be closed.

    Heating

    There must be a heating system capable of heating the unit to a comfortable temperature. Furnaces must be serviced every two years, and tested at the initial inspection.

    Steps and Porches

    Porches, balconies, decks, etc., more than 30 inches above the ground must have a railing 36 inches high. All inside and outside stairs must have a handrail, and be structurally sound.

    Site hazards

    There can be no hazards on the site, such as dilapidated structures, trash, debris, unlicensed vehicles, or non-maintained vegetation.

    Infestations

    There must be no roaches or rodents.

    Smoke Detectors

    Smoke detectors must work, be located outside each sleeping area, and on each floor of the rental unit. Hearing impaired tenants require smoke detectors with lights. Laundry rooms require smoke detectors or heat detection devices.

    Water Heaters

    Water heaters in units and laundry rooms must have a properly installed pressure relief valve and hot-water tolerant discharge line (no PVC). The discharge line must extend downward to within 18-24 inches from the floor if not routed outside.

    Garbage Disposing

    Each unit must have adequate garbage disposing and storage facilities.

    Most Common Causes of Failed Inspections

    • Broken or cracked windows
    • No handrails on four or more steps
    • No guard rails on drop-off's exceeding 30 inches in height
    • Having key-operated locks installed on interior doors
    • No pressure relief valve and discharge line on water heater
    • Smoke detectors with missing or dead batteries



      For HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection Form, please click here.

       

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