Principles & Laws of HQS Final Exam

The objective of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is to assist low income families in leasing (or purchasing) “decent, safe, and sanitary” housing at an affordable cost.

The regulations governing the housing quality standards and inspection requirements for the HCV Program are published at:

Current HQS regulations consist of 16 key aspects of housing quality, performance requirements, and acceptability criteria to meet each performance requirement.

HQS regulations do not apply to the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program.

The unit must have sanitary facilities available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the dwelling unit.

Which key aspect of HQS does the stove and refrigerator belong to?

The living room must have at least:

The unit must have a cooking stove OR range and refrigerator of appropriate size for the unit (i.e. family size), all in proper operating condition.

Which are the minimum space requirements for any HCV Unit?

The unit must contain a safe heating and cooling system in proper operating condition that can provide adequate heat and cooling either directly or indirectly, to each room in order to assure a healthy living environment appropriate to the climate.

There must be at least two windows in the living room and in each sleeping room.

A temporary ceiling or wall-type light fixture in working conditions is acceptable in the kitchen and the bathroom

The living room and each bedroom must have at least ____ (Permanent overhead or wall-mounted light fixtures may count as one required electrical outlet.)

The following are considered electrical hazards:

Ceiling, walls, and floors MUST not have any serious defects such as _________

The unit must be free from dangerous levels of air pollution such as __________

The unit must be served by a(n) _____________

24 CFR part 35 requires that the Public Housing Agency obtain a completed signed Lead-Based Paint Owner Certification (HF-39-C) signifying that all HQS lead-based paint requirements have been met on any property built prior to January 1, 1978

Families with children under which age make the unit subject to lead based paint requirements

The unit access must be used and maintained without unauthorized use of other private properties.

The site and neighborhood must be ____________

The unit and its equipment must be free of any vermin and rodents.

There must be at least one battery-operated or hardwired smoke detector present and working on the first level of the unit.

Per federal regulations, who is primarily responsible for complying with the lease terms?

Per Federal regulations, who is primarily responsible for maintaining unit to comply with HQS?

Per Federal regulations, who is primarily responsible for terminating contracts for failure to comply with HQS requirements?

Per Federal regulations, who is primarily responsible for assuring that each unit meets the minimum HQS requirements when the unit is initially leased?

Which one is not a required inspection?

Who can request a complaint inspection?

Quality Control Inspections should be conducted within ______ days from the last conducted.

An initial HQS inspection is conducted after a HAP Contract is signed

When the family moves out of the unit, the PHA is not require conducting a move out inspection.

At least 20% of the contract units in the Tenant Based Voucher Program must be inspected.

The unit must have at least one habitable room besides the kitchen and bathroom.

Table lamps plugged into an outlet is considered permanent light fixtures.

The room is free from electrical hazards except when _______________.

Skeleton keys are acceptable locks on any entrance or exit doors

The living room must have at least one window that opens to the exterior of the unit.

The following types of units are exempt and do not require inspection for lead-based paint

The stove or range needs at least one working burner.

Microwave ovens may be substituted for a tenant-supplied oven, stove or range.

The refrigerator must be capable of maintaining a low temperature to keep food from spoiling over a reasonable period.

The sink must have a proper working sink drain with gas trap

The bathroom must have an adequate exhaust ventilation regardless of a window present.

There must be a working flush toilet in the unit for the exclusive use of the tenant.

There must be a working tub or shower in the unit with at least cold running water

No need for a ventilation system if a window is present even if the window doesn’t open.

Windows are not required in other rooms that are not used for sleeping.

There must be at least two working outlets in each bedroom or any other room.

A permanently installed light fixture is a light fixture that is securely fastened to a ceiling or wall but is not movable

The substitution of an outlet for a light fixture is acceptable except in the bathroom

All doors accessible from the outside do not need a cylinder deadbolt.

Windows leading to a fire escape may not be permanently nailed shut.

An interior door that has a lock operated by a skeleton key is acceptable

The unit must have one working smoke detector on each level of the dwelling unit.

If the dwelling unit is occupied by any hearing-impaired person, no need for a smoke detector with an alarm system designed for hearing-impaired

A living room may be used as sleeping (bedroom) space, but no more than two persons may occupy the space

How many consecutive steps for stair to have a railing

Rooms designated as “not used for living”:

As a secondary room there is no need to look for large holes in floors, walls, or ceilings.

On a multifamily unit It is not the inspector’s responsibility to inspect outlets that are not located inside the unit.

A secure handrail is required around porches or balconies that are __________.

In a multifamily structure, all the stairs, rails, and porches are included in the inspection.

The following types of units are exempt and do not require inspection for lead-based paint hazards:

De minimis deteriorated paint surfaces for LBP is ___________.

If the amount of deteriorated paint is below the de minimis level, the owner must perform paint stabilization.

Mobile homes are not required to have tie-down devices.

A room that does not receive direct heat from the heat source but receives adequate indirect heat from an adjoining room is acceptable.

Broken or damaged source vents, flues, exhausts, gas or oil lines that create a potential fire hazard or threats to health and safety are acceptable.

It is acceptable to have the water heater or boiler in living areas or closets

Only gas or oil-fired water heaters or boilers require venting

The alternate means of egress meets local or state requirements such as:

The unit must have adequate barriers to prevent infestation

The unit must be free of heavy accumulation of garbage and debris inside and outside.

Sewer back up can be identify by _____________.