Temporary Program Changes to Housing Quality Standards: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Housing Quality Standards (HQS)

What are Housing Quality Standards (HQS)?

HQS are the minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that all dwelling units must meet before a family can occupy the unit while receiving Section 8 assistance. It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the unit and building in accordance with HQS. For more information on HQS, please visit the Housing Quality Standards page.

What temporary program changes is NYCHA making regarding HQS due to COVID-19?

  • NYCHA has resumed in-person HQS inspections. A remote inspection option is available upon request.
  • NYCHA has resumed abatements to housing assistance payments for HQS violations effective June 1, 2021.
  • Since biennial in-person inspections have been delayed, NYCHA is temporarily allowing owners to certify that the conditions of their Section 8 unit(s), and respective public areas, meet HQS. NYCHA will mail the Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection to owners and will automatically schedule the unit for inspection.
  • NYCHA will accept an owner’s certification for new rentals that failed the initial inspection with non-life-threatening conditions. However, NYCHA will follow up by scheduling a reinspection of the unit.
  • Life-threatening HQS violations (also known as “24-hour violations”) must be corrected. NYCHA will temporarily accept a NE-2 certification form and completed work order ticket(s), and/or paid invoice(s) from a supplier for the repairs, to verify completed repairs for 24-hour violations cited during an HQS inspection on December 31, 2019 or later. Please note that NYCHA may conduct random quality control inspections to confirm repairs.

Initial Inspections

What is an initial inspection?

Initial inspections are conducted for a new rental (including transfers and restorations) upon submission of a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA). Units must meet HQS before NYCHA is able to approve a RFTA and enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with an owner.

Now that in-person inspections have resumed, will NYCHA continue to accept a completed Owner Certification for Initial Inspection (interim certification due to COVID-19) form to confirm a unit meets HQS?

NYCHA is conducting in-person HQS inspection for new rentals. As a result, Owner Certification for Initial Inspection (interim certification due to COVID-19) forms are no longer accepted, effective September 1, 2021.

HQS Certification of Completed Repairs For 24-Hours/Life Threatening Volations

What is a Certification of Completed Repairs?

A Certification of Completed Repairs is a document attesting that the HQS violations noted during a NYCHA inspection have been corrected in the unit and/or building.

During an HQS inspection, if HQS violations are found in a unit, the owner is notified via the NE-1 Letter to Owner – Hazardous Conditions (NYCHA form 059.307B). Once deficiencies are corrected, an owner can submit a Certification of Completed Repairs for the non-life-threatening violations (Certification of Completed Repairs NE-2, NYCHA form 059.307) via the Owner Extranet.

If HQS violations are found in a public space of the building, the owner is notified via the NE-1PS Letter to Owner – HQS Violations – Public Space (NYCHA form 059.348A). Once deficiencies are corrected, an owner can complete a Certification of Completed Repairs for the non-life- threatening violations (Notification of Completed Building Repairs NE-2PS, NYCHA form 059.348) via the Owner Extranet.

Please note that NYCHA may inspect the unit to confirm violations were corrected.

What are 24-hour violations?

Twenty-four-hour violations are those that present a life-threatening hazard, including, but not limited to:

  • Building in imminent danger of collapse

  • Illegal window gates on fire escapes

  • Missing or inoperable smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors

  • Gas leak

  • Smoking/sparking/exposed wiring that could result in shock or fire

  • Severe fire damage

  • No secondary means of egress

How does the owner certify repairs for 24-hour violations?

Under normal circumstances, NYCHA does not accept certifications for 24-hour violations and instead must conduct a re-inspection. However, until further notice, NYCHA will accept a certification to confirm that 24-hour violations have been corrected for life-threatening violations cited during an HQS inspection. Please note that NYCHA may inspect the unit to confirm any deficiencies were corrected.

To submit a certification for a 24- hour violation:

  1. Log in to the Owner Extranet at here.

  1. Review the Letter to Owner: Hazardous Conditions NE-1 Inspection (NYCHA form 059.307) and/or Notification of Completed Building Repairs NE-1PS.

  1. Complete the related Certification of Completed Repairs.

  1. Upload completed work order ticket(s) and/or paid invoice(s) from a supplier for the repairs. The work order and/or paid invoice must include the Section 8 tenant’s address (including the unit number), the date the work was completed, and a description of repairs completed.

  1. Submit the completed form and supporting documentation via the Owner Extranet

    1. If the completed work order ticket(s) and/or paid invoice(s) from a supplier for the repairs is not available, NYCHA will accept the NE-2 certification with the owner’s and tenant’s signatures. NYCHA will contact the tenant to verify repairs and may schedule an inspection if required.

    To request a re-inspection, owners can call NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

When will the Certification of Completed Repairs for 24-hour violations be accepted?

NYCHA will only accept the Certification of Completed Repairs if:

  • The owner’s and tenant’s signatures are on the certification

  • The work order ticket(s) and/or paid invoice(s) are submitted and include: i) the Section 8 tenant’s address (including the unit number); ii) the date the work was completed; and iii) a description of repairs completed

  • There is no tenant dispute about the violations being corrected

What should an owner do if a tenant does not allow access into the unit to repair HQS deficiencies?

If the participant fails to allow access to an owner to make repairs to violations, the owner must document attempts to gain access. NYCHA requires that owners send written notices via certified mail to the participant to document attempts to gain access to the unit. NYCHA will require written proof of such attempts prior to commencement of termination action against the participant.

Once an owner submits valid documentation that attempts were made to make repairs and the participant did not provide access for repairs, NYCHA will send the participant a termination warning letter regarding their failure to fulfill household obligations. Submission of certified notices sent to the tenant to gain access does not prevent suspension of subsidy payments or trigger reinstatement. In order for subsidy payments to be restored, NYCHA must confirm all repairs in the unit.

Owner Certification For Biennial Inspection

What is an Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection?

NYCHA is temporarily allowing owners to certify that the conditions of their Section 8 unit(s), and respective public space areas, meet federal HQS requirements by completing and submitting the Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection form. NYCHA will follow up by automatically scheduling units for an inspection. Inspections will be conducted remotely or in-person.

How will I receive the Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection form?

Owners will receive the Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection form, along with instructions, via email and mail. Owners are advised to update their contact information on the Owner Extranet or by calling the Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771.

How will I submit the Owner Certification for Biennial Inspection?

Owners must return the completed form to s8.hqs@nycha.nyc.gov, or PO Box 19197, Long Island City, NY 11101-9197 within 14 days of the date on the notice.