REAC Archives - Page 3 of 5 - UPCS Inspectors LLC

REAC 14-Day Notice Officially Announced Today

February 20, 2019 by Alejandro Dominguez

Today HUD officially announced a drastic change to the REAC process. Effective 30 days from today, REAC will only provide properties a 14-day notice for an inspection. Refusal to schedule will result in a zero (0) score.

If the second attempt to schedule results in a successful inspection within seven calendar days, the resulting score will be recorded.

The prospect of a 14-day notice has been rumored around the industry for the last few months, but it is now official. Now more then ever, it is important to stay on top of your annual inspections and staff training.

HUD has also proposed other changes to the REAC process, but is currently hosting listening sessions across the country to get industry feedback. We will attend one of those listening sessions in March.

Please contact us if you have any questions. You can review HUD’s press release here.

REAC Inspections Continue Mid Government Shutdown

December 26, 2018 by Alejandro Dominguez

REAC Inspections Continue During Shutdown

Today REAC notified its inspectors that physical inspections are to continue during the government shutdown, even while the department stays closed.

Per HUD, funding for inspections is not tied to additional appropriations. As a result, they decided that inspections should continue.

Inspectors in the field will not receive any assistance from HUD during the government shutdown. In addition, they will not be paid for their inspections until the government shutdown ends.

Edit: Some in the housing industry received a FAQ from HUD before the shutdown that states REAC inspections will not occur. This contradicts the specific instructions sent to inspectors.

Since REAC is not open during the shutdown, it is impossible to get any additional clarification. We advise that property management and owners expect that REAC inspections to occur.

Need help with an upcoming inspection? Contact us about our REAC preparation services.

REAC Inspection Auctions June 2018

May 30, 2018 by Alejandro Dominguez

REAC Inspection Auctions Announced for 6/16/18

The Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) has announced Auctions 805-808 will occur on 6/16/18. These auctions are part of the Reverse Auction Program (RAP). The auctions include Multi-Family Section 8 properties across the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. In addition, Auction 808 is part of the inter-agency pilot program. The performance deadline of these REAC inspections is 9/22/18.

What is the Reverse Auction Program?

Per HUD, “The PIH-REAC Reverse Auction Program involves a process of securing property inspection services for HUD-assisted housing”. An auction is conducted on-line and inspections are awarded to eligible contractors with the lowest bid. The contractor then schedules and performs the property inspections in accordance with Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) protocol. These inspections are commonly referred to as “REAC Inspections” and are part of the Physical Assessment Subsystem overseen by HUD REAC. Inspection lists and previous auction results can be found on the Reverse Auction Program website.

How to Prepare

At UPCS Inspectors LLC we offer multiple consultation services to help your prepare for an upcoming REAC inspection. Please contact us if you have any questions.

UPCS-V REAC Industry Meeting

May 18, 2018 by Alejandro Dominguez

UPCS Inspectors LLC has been invited by REAC to attend an industry meeting in regard to UPCS-V at the US Department of HUD offices in Washington D.C. on June 4, 2018. This meeting will cover the new digital interface being developed for UPCS-V inspections by third-party vendors. The new interface will allow PHAs to transfer HCV inspection results directly to HUD.

For those unfamiliar with UPCS-V (the V stands for Voucher), it is a proposed inspection protocol that would replace Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. UPCS-V introduces new measures to enhance the consistency of the inspection process and will reflect current advances in home inspections. One of the primary differences between HQS and UPCS-V will be the requirements of inspectors to use an electronic handheld device capable of photographs along with a HUD standardized UPCS-V software. Visit our UPCS-V page to learn more.

REAC Inspections Cancelled by Shutdown

January 19, 2018 by Alejandro Dominguez

Due to the government shutdown, REAC is closed and no inspections are to be conducted. Per HUD, for inspections scheduled during the shutdown, contractors are to contact the property to reschedule. HUD will consider reasonable extensions beyond the performance period.

Edit 1/23/18: HUD is now open and inspectors are to resume with their REAC inspections.