On January 31, 2020, the REAC Inspector Administration notified inspectors of a new Quality Assurance Inspection that can occur after the inspection is complete.
This was followed by a second announcement that addresses the written notification provided by the property management to the tenants.
Quality Assurance Inspection (QAI)
Quality assurance (QA) reviews can be conducted at any time. Sometimes, the QA reviews are performed after the inspection had been completed.
Drastic scores changes from previous inspections, errors in the inspection report, and other inspection red flags are some of the reasons HUD would choose to do a quality assurance review after the inspection was complete.
Effective 2/3/20, these reviews are now called Quality Assurance Inspections (QAI), and it appears REAC wants to use this type of QA inspections more often.
How Soon Can The QA Come Out?
Per REAC’s notifications to the inspectors, “The QAI is generally within two business days of the contract inspection”.
They will use the same sample used by the inspector, which means they will walk the same units from the original inspection.
New Resident Notice Policy
To allow time for the Quality Assurance staff to visit the property after the inspection, the property will now be required to provide an eight business day notice for all inspections.
This was not announced via a notice to the industry. Instead, this is part of the new scheduling letter REAC is requiring inspectors to use. Per the new scheduling letter, properties must:
“Provide the required written notice of the inspection to your residents that includes the agreed upon inspection dates and an additional five business days following the last day of the inspection for a Quality Assurance Inspection (QAI) and any other quality assurance activities HUD may require for a total inspection period of eight business days“.
The Takeaway
Quality assurance inspections are not new. However, the announcement of the QAI reviews and the new notification requirements shows a new commitment from REAC to perform this type of review more often.
With that level of oversight, the inspectors will likely be even more thorough out of fear of a follow-up quality assurance inspection.
Now more than ever it is important your properties remain “REAC Ready” at all times!
The latest on this new development will be included in future UCPS training and speaking engagements. Please contact us if you have any questions.