Section 8 Inspection Checklist (NSPIRE): A Room-by-Room Guide for Landlords

Most Section 8 units that fail inspection don’t fail for big problems. They fail for small things: a smoke alarm in the wrong place, an outlet next to the sink without GFCI protection, a dryer vent made of the wrong material. Each one is cheap to fix, but a fail still means a reinspection and a delayed rent start.

The good news is that you can catch almost all of these yourself. This guide walks through a unit room by room, the way an inspector would, using HUD’s NSPIRE standards, which are replacing the older HQS standards for voucher inspections.

Download the free printable checklist (PDF)

Before you start

Confirm which standard your PHA uses. Every housing authority must move voucher inspections to NSPIRE by February 1, 2027, and many already have. NSPIRE is more specific than HQS, so if you’re unsure, prepare for NSPIRE. A unit that meets NSPIRE will generally meet HQS too.

Bring a few simple tools:

A plug-in outlet tester with a GFCI test button (about $10–15 at a hardware store)
A step stool for testing alarms
A flashlight
Your phone, for photos of anything you need to fix

Walk it at the same time of day as the inspection, if you can. Lighting problems and dark stairways are easier to spot.

Whole-unit items (check these in every room)

These apply everywhere and cause the most fails.

Smoke alarms. This is the single most common fail item, and under NSPIRE a missing or non-working alarm is treated as life-threatening. You need:

One inside each bedroom
One outside each sleeping area, within 21 feet of any bedroom door
One on every level, including basements
Alarms that are hardwired or have sealed 10-year batteries. Regular replaceable-battery alarms no longer meet the standard.
Every alarm should sound when you press the test button, and nothing should block it.

Carbon monoxide alarms. Required if the unit has any fuel-burning appliance (gas stove, furnace, water heater, fireplace) or an attached garage. Test each one.

Electrical:

No exposed wiring, open junction boxes, or missing outlet and switch covers
Outlets work, and three-prong outlets are properly grounded (your tester will show this)
Every outlet within 6 feet of a water source (sink, tub, shower) is GFCI protected, and the GFCI test and reset buttons work
The electrical panel is easy to reach, not blocked by furniture or storage, with no open breaker slots

Heating. There must be a working, permanently installed heating source. Unvented space heaters that burn gas, oil, or kerosene aren’t allowed.

Walls, ceilings, and floors. Look for holes that go all the way through, water stains, signs of leaks, and anything that looks like mold. Check for trip hazards like torn carpet, loose tiles, or raised flooring edges.

Paint. If the home was built before 1978, peeling, chipping, or cracking paint is a lead-based paint concern. Fix it using lead-safe work practices.

Pests. No signs of roaches, rodents, bedbugs, or other infestations.

Windows. Glass not cracked or broken, windows that are designed to open actually open and stay open, and locks work.

Living room

At least one window, in good condition
Working light or outlets as required by your PHA
Smoke alarm nearby if the living room is outside the sleeping area (see the 21-foot rule above)
No trip hazards, holes, or water damage

Remember that a voucher unit must have a living room. If you’re counting a room as a bedroom, make sure another space can clearly serve as the living area.

Kitchen

A sink with hot and cold running water
A working cooking appliance (stove or range) with all burners and the oven working, and knobs in place
A working refrigerator that keeps food cold, with intact door seals
Space to prepare and store food: counters and cabinets in usable condition
A permanently mounted light fixture
GFCI protection for outlets within 6 feet of the sink
Range hood or exhaust, if present, working and not blocked by grease
Smoke alarms at least 10 feet from the stove to avoid nuisance alarms

Bathrooms

A sink, toilet, and tub or shower, all working
Toilet secure (not rocking), flushes and refills properly
Hot and cold running water at the sink and tub or shower
Ventilation: either a working exhaust fan or a window that opens
A permanently mounted light fixture
GFCI protection on outlets near water
A door that closes for privacy
Grab bars, if present, secure
No leaks under the sink, and no soft or damaged floors around the toilet or tub

Bedrooms

A smoke alarm inside the room
At least one window, in good condition, that opens if designed to open, and isn’t blocked
A door that works
Working outlets and lighting
No holes, water damage, or pest signs

Remember the occupancy rule: for voucher units, there must be at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for every two people in the household.

Hallways and stairs

Smoke alarms placed to cover the sleeping area
Handrails on any stairs with 4 or more risers, secure, continuous for the full flight, and easy to grip
Guardrails wherever there’s a drop of 30 inches or more (lofts, landings, balconies)
Stairs not loose, broken, or missing treads
Working lighting in stairways

Laundry and utility areas

Water heater: has a temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve with a discharge pipe running down toward the floor. A missing or capped discharge line is a common fail.
Gas appliances: properly vented, with no gas smell
Dryer vent: connected, not blocked by lint, and made of suitable material. White plastic or vinyl flex duct is a common fail; use metal ducting.
Furnace: vented properly, with no damage to the exhaust pipe

Outside and entry

Entry doors close, latch, and lock
Steps and porches solid, with handrails at 4 or more risers and guardrails at drops of 30 inches or more
Exterior outlets GFCI protected, with weatherproof covers
No damaged or missing siding, roofing, or gutters that let water in
Trash and debris removed from the yard
Address numbers visible (helps the inspector find you, and some PHAs check it)

Fix these first: the 24-hour items

Under NSPIRE, life-threatening and severe problems must usually be corrected within 24 hours, and other failures typically within 30 days. Before your inspection, prioritize:

Missing or non-working smoke alarms
Missing or non-working carbon monoxide alarms
Exposed wiring and missing outlet covers
Missing GFCI protection near water
Blocked or improper dryer vents
Gas leaks or improper gas appliance venting
Missing water heater discharge line
Missing handrails or guardrails where required

On inspection day

Make sure all utilities are on: water, electricity, and gas. Inspectors can’t test appliances without them.
Make sure the inspector can access every room, the panel, the water heater, and the furnace.
If the unit is occupied, give your tenant notice and ask them to secure pets.
Keep your repair receipts and before-and-after photos handy in case questions come up.

Keep a record of your walkthrough

Taking photos and notes as you go makes repairs easier to track and gives you proof of what you fixed and when. That’s useful if your PHA sends a deficiency notice or you need to show work was completed before a reinspection.

PassFirst is an iPhone app built for this walkthrough. It guides you room by room using HUD’s NSPIRE reference data, turns anything that needs repair into a tracked task with before-and-after photos, and keeps official notice details and reinspection dates in one place. Your records stay on your iPhone, and no account is needed.

Download PassFirst on the App Store

FAQ

What is the most common reason a Section 8 inspection fails?

Smoke alarms. Under NSPIRE, they must be inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, and they must be hardwired or have sealed 10-year batteries. Many units that passed under HQS with older battery alarms now fail.

Does every outlet need to be GFCI?

No. Under NSPIRE, outlets within 6 feet of a water source like a sink, tub, or shower must have GFCI protection. The protection can come from a GFCI outlet or a GFCI breaker. Exterior outlets should also be GFCI protected.

Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm for Section 8?

Yes, if the unit has a fuel-burning appliance (such as a gas stove, furnace, or water heater), a fireplace, or an attached garage.

Is the NSPIRE checklist the same everywhere?

The federal NSPIRE standards are the same nationwide, but each housing authority runs its own inspections and may have local requirements. Always ask your PHA for its checklist.

What happens if my unit fails?

You’ll get a list of deficiencies and deadlines, usually 24 hours for life-threatening or severe items and about 30 days for others. Once repairs are done, the PHA reinspects. For a new tenancy, the HAP contract can’t start until the unit passes.

This checklist is general guidance, not legal advice, and it doesn’t cover every possible NSPIRE deficiency. Requirements and procedures vary by housing authority, so always follow your PHA’s written guidance. PassFirst is a self-check and organization tool. It isn’t an official inspection and is not affiliated with HUD or any housing authority.

Sources: 24 CFR 5.703, National standards for the condition of HUD housing (eCFR); HUD NSPIRE Standards.