Section 8 inspections by Chicago Handyman identify key areas that can delay approval from the Chicago Housing authority, preventing property owners from taking advantage of the new Housing Choice Voucher Program
CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HCV Program, CHA pays a portion of eligible families’ rent each month directly to the landlord. Families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment in the private market throughout the city of Chicago. www.thecha.org
Our inspector will assess your property using the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why would anyone “Pre-Inspect” a unit?
“Pre-Inspection” saves you both time and money! Having your unit “Pre-Inspected” ensures you discover necessary repairs are corrected before the local housing authority contractor inspects your unit. We ensure that you pass their inspection the first time without the hassle of rushing to meet their time limitations.
2. When is it an appropriate time to schedule an inspection?
Ideally, your inspection should occur between 30 and 45 days prior to upcoming Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections. This provides you with ample time to get suggested and identified repairs corrected.
3. Do you inspect all the apartments in the building?
No. Section 8 Inspection Services will only inspect the apartment subsidized under the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Program. The inspection will not include every individual apartment in the building. However, the inspection will include common areas, basements and exterior areas, utilized and accessible by the tenants of the subsidized apartment.
4. How long does it take to get my inspection report after Chicago Handyman completes their inspection?
Your report will be emailed within 24 hours after your inspection has been completed.
5. What information is contained in the report?
All inspections are conducted on the HUD 52580-A Form, a detailed report authorized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
6. A few items on the inspection failed. Did we pass?
No. In a HQS inspection, one deficiency will fail the entire inspection.
7. Are the owners of condos required to repair common area problems?
Yes. All property is inspected in the same manner. No exceptions are made for “condo owners”.
8. What if there is a broken window or hole in the wall damages caused by the tenant?
When the landlord and the tenant enter into a lease, this lease is binding for both parties. If a tenant causes damage to the apartment, it should be handled according to the provisions of the lease. The landlord will not be penalized by the Housing Authority for tenant damage. However, all damages must be appropriately corrected within the specified timeline.
9. Speaking of timelines, how long do I have make these repairs?
Each Housing Authority has specific policies regarding completing repairs after an HQS Inspection. Life threatening items must be repaired within 24 hours. Standard deficiencies must be repaired within 30 days.
10. The inspection’s fail items have been repaired. What happens now?
The Housing Authority will require a physical “re-inspection” of the apartment. During this “re-inspection,” only the items that failed the annual or initial inspection are checked. The inspector will not conduct another comprehensive inspection.
11. Why do inspectors and inspections lack consistency?
HQS standards can be ambiguous and rely on the inspector’s subjectivity. A condition that may appear “moderate” to one inspector may appear “severe” to another, resulting in inconsistency.