UPCS Inspectors LLC

NSPIRE Inspection Services

REAC News: NSPIRE Scoring Released for Public Comments

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HUD REAC UPCS Annual Inspections

On 3/28/23, HUD published the proposed Scoring Notice for NSPIRE in the Federal Register.

The notice covers how point loss values will be calculated in the NSPIRE inspection.

In addition, the notice covers the samples size that will be used for future REAC NSPIRE inspections.

It must be noted, only 30 days were provided for public comment.

Comments are officially due on 4/27/23.

Some most drastic changes are there will be no cap on the points that can be lost in a unit or if a property loses 30 points they will automatically fail the inspection with a 59.

You can read the notice and make comments in the Federal Register.

We Will Prepare You For NSPIRE

  • Once official, we will provide education on how the new NSPIRE scoring will work in all our future classes.
  • We will also teach all the new changes to the REAC inspector protocol that will occur under NSPIRE (pre-inspection, inspection day, and post-inspection).
  • Our classes will prepare you to identify NSPIRE deficiencies.
  • Last, UPCS Inspectors LLC is a REAC RAP Contractor and will stay up to date on all the latest changes.

UPCS Training Online

REAC wants to complete all current and past due inspections before NSPIRE begins on 7/1/23.

These properties will get one last UPCS-based score.

Are you one of the properties that REAC will inspect soon?

Don’t miss your chance to take our highly-rated UPCS Training online.

This two-day course will prepare you for UPCS inspections and help you succeed!

The next class is on 4/19-4/20/23.

Click here to learn more.

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

Breaking News: NSPIRE for HCV Deadlines

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On February 28, 2023 HUD hosted their last NSPIRE “Get Ready” Session in San Antonio, TX.

In this session, HUD stated they will soon finalize NSPIRE as the new inspection for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units.

NSPIRE for HCV inspections are expected to begin on 10/1/23 and will replace HQS.

The NSPIRE inspection will be conducted on an updated HUD-52580, the same form used for HQS inspections now.

Inspectors can use the paper HUD-52580 form or software on a tablet.

Housing authorities can elect to start NSPIRE on 10/1/24 and keep HQS for another year (this choice must be reported to the field office).

HUD must publish the administrative rules for a 90-day comment period before all these changes can be finalized.

We Will Prepare You For NSPIRE

UPCS Inspectors LLC will continue to teach the entire HUD-52580 inspection form in all HQS classes, the same form that will be used for NSPIRE.

We will provide further details on all the NSPIRE requirements discussed in this article in all HQS classes.

Last, we will provide a “NSPIRE for HQS Inspectors” class this fall for experienced HQS inspectors that want to learn the new inspection standards.

HQS Training Online

Don’t miss your chance to take our highly-rated HQS Training online.

This two-day course will increase your knowledge of the inspection protocol and help you succeed on future HQS and NSPIRE inspections!

The next class is on 5/10-5/11/23.

Click here to learn more.

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

NSPIRE Demonstration Extended By HUD (UPDATED)

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HUD Extends NSPIRE Demonstration

HUD Officially Extends the NSPIRE Demonstration Till 4/30/23

NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) is HUD’s new proposed inspection protocol set to replace UPCS (REAC physical inspections) and HQS (Housing Choice Voucher inspections).

The new proposed protocol prioritizes health, safety, and functional defects over those about appearance.

Moreover, NSPIRE introduces new deficiencies and corrective actions that currently do not exist.

NSPIRE was first announced in the Spring 2019, but the big question has been when will it become official?

On 9/28/21 HUD announced their biggest clue to date.

According to the official notice on the Federal Register, HUD has extended the NSPIRE Demonstration through April 30, 2023.

This demonstration allows HUD to test the proposed NSPIRE standards and protocols at properties that volunteer to be in the program.

In addition, anybody can provide comments on NSPIRE proposed standards throughout the demonstration period.

NSPIRE Timeline So Far

  • NSPIRE first announced Spring 2019.
  • Two-year demonstration period began 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2019.
  • First round of properties were approved 2/20/20.
  • COVID halted demonstration in 2020.
  • NSPIRE demonstrations started again 6/1/21.
  • On 9/28/21, HUD officially announced the NSPIRE demonstration will extend through 4/30/23.

UPDATE 10/20/22

Tonight UPCS Inspectors LLC took place in HUD teleconference exclusive to REAC contractors.

Based on the information shared, HUD now has possible tentative dates for the start of NSPIRE.

Specifically:

  • NSPIRE could start for public-housing inspections on 4/1/23. There is still a possibility for another six (6) month delay to 10/1/23 (which is start of HUD’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024).
  • NSPIRE could start for multi-family project based properties on 10/1/23. If public housing is delayed, it would coincide this this start date.
  • There is still no information on when NSPIRE will replace HQS or when it will replace UPCS for HOME program inspections.

As a REAC contractor, we will continue to stay in touch with HUD about future updates.

Main Take Away

Until NSPIRE becomes official, UPCS and HQS will continue to be the required inspection protocols.

Currently, UPCS Inspectors LLC includes elements of NSPIRE in its’ HQS and UPCS trainings.

Once NSPIRE becomes official, we will provide a full NSPIRE training course, which will include a spiral NSPIRE workbook (with resources, checklists, and photos of all deficiencies).

Please contact us if you have any questions.

HUD Announces Carbon Monoxide Rule

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HUD Carbon Monoxide Alarm or Detector Rule - PIH Notice 2022-01

HUD Publishes Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements for Assisted Housing

On January 31, 2022 HUD published Notice PIH 2022-01 which set a deadline for carbon monoxide alarms or detectors. Per the notice, CO alarms or detectors must installed by December 27, 2022.

This notice applies to:

  • Public Housing (PH)
  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
  • Project Based Voucher (PBV)
  • Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly (Section 202)
  • Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Section 811).

In addition, the notice refers to the International Fire Code (IFC) 2018 standards for installation along with links to the code itself (see Additional Resources below).

Carbon Monoxide Risks

According to Notice PIH 2022-01:

“Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas. It is impossible to see, and is a tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuel burned in vehicles, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. It can build-up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe the toxic fumes.

The effects of CO exposure can vary from person to person depending on age, overall health, and the concentration and length of exposure. Exposure can cause harmful health conditions, permanent brain damage, life-threatening cardiac complications, fetal death or miscarriage, and death in a matter of minutes. Individuals who are asleep or intoxicated may die from CO poisoning before experiencing any symptoms.”

Applicable Funding

PHAs may use either Operating Funds or Capital Funds for purchase, installation, and maintenance.

For HVC and PBV programs, the property owner or landlord is responsible for cost of carbon monoxide alarms or detectors. HCV administration funds can be used for landlord outreach and education on these requirements.

PBRA, Section 202, and Section 811 may utilize the property’s reserves for replacement, residual receipts, general operating reserves, owner contributions, or secondary financing.

NSPIRE Standard

NSPIRE is HUD’s new proposed inspection protocol. NSPIRE is set to replace UPCS and HQS inspections. HUD is in the middle of a NSPIRE demonstration period that runs through April 30, 2023.

Based on proposed standard version 2.2 (published 4/18/22), inspectors must identify buildings/units with fuel-fired appliances, fuel-burning fire place, or adjacent spaces (attached garage, mechanical room, laundry).

The carbon monoxide detector or alarm must be installed each sleeping area and in the immediate vicinity of each sleeping area.

Moreover, applicable areas also include daycare centers, community centers, and preschools.

Additional Resources

Review Notice PIH 2022-01 for full details, along with examples of carbon monoxide sources and ways to prevent CO intrusion.

Read the full proposed NSPIRE Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standard here.

The International Fire Code (IFC) 2018 standards links provided by HUD in their notice:

Above all, it is the responsibility of each property to understand the carbon monoxide requirements covered in HUD’s new notice.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

REAC Inspections Resume 10/5/20

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REAC COVID Map

Today REAC notified all its inspectors that inspections will resume later this year.

HUD will prioritize inspections by states. Low-risk states will be inspected first.

All the eligible counties will be posted on the REAC website for 45 days. If your property is in one of these counties, you could be eligible to be inspected.

At the end of the 45-day period, REAC will start to provide the standard 14-day notice of inspection.

As soon as the county list is available, we will contact all our clients.

You can find the official announcement here.

UPCS Inspectors LLC will continue to monitor for the latest news on the return of REAC inspections. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Meet Our Founder

Founded in 2015 by owner Alejandro Dominguez, UPCS Inspectors LLC is a full service inspection company that specializes in annual inspections, NSPIRE training, and REAC consultation for the housing industry. In addition, UPCS Inspectors LLC is a contract vendor for the US … Read More

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Connect With Us

UPCS Inspectors LLC
2027 Coats Circle
Austin, TX 78748

P: 512-653-6999
E: alejandro@upcsinspectors.com