National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE)

Information for Participants, Applicants, Owners/Landlords and Stakeholders

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is committed to doing everything it can to ensure the health and well-being of those we serve, our partners and our community.

Inspections for HCV Participants Moving into Units

Loudoun County will continue to conduct all initial inspections according to the Loudoun County’s Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan (PDF). The unit must be vacant and move-in ready. HCV housing counselors will be providing more information directly to owners/landlords who have notified us that they are ready to lease units to HCV voucher holders.

NSPIRE Standards

The NSPIRE standards recently replaced the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) in an effort to streamline the inspection process across programs. Find more information from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development about the NSPIRE standards.

Biennial Inspections

The HCV program conducts biennial inspections to ensure the unit continues to meet NSPIRE standards.

How does this impact you?  An NSPIRE inspection will be conducted every other year (within a 24-month period). Residents, owners/landlords, or an interested party may request an inspection sooner than the 24-month period. Loudoun County will continue to conduct complaint inspections. Tenants are required to notify the property owner/manager of any issues within the unit prior to reporting the issues to the HCV Program. To ensure the health and safety of our participants, the HCV program reserves the right to amend these criteria to conduct an inspection sooner than the 24-month period.

When is my next regularly scheduled inspection?  Participants will receive written notification 30 calendar days prior to the next NSPIRE inspection date.

Quality Control Inspections

Quality Control inspections are conducted by the HCV Program Manager throughout the year to ensure consistency and accuracy in the inspection process. Units are selected randomly for quality control. Owners/Property Managers and tenants will be notified at least two weeks in advance of the inspection. 

Move-Out Inspections

Move-out inspections are not conducted by Loudoun County’s HCV Program. Move-out inspections should be conducted by the owner/property manager and tenant in accordance with the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. The owner/manager should report amounts owed by the tenant to the HCV Housing Counselor.

Housing Search and Leasing Process

After the Loudoun County HCV Program determines that a family is eligible to participate in the HCV program, and has conducted the program briefing, the HCV counselor will issue the family a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV form HUD-52646), which authorizes the family to search for housing. The Housing Choice Voucher specifies the unit size for which the family qualifies. This unit size is used to determine the amount of assistance that Loudoun County will pay to the owner/landlord on behalf of the family. A family may select a larger or smaller unit than what is listed on the voucher as long as the rent is reasonable and affordable, as determined by the HCV Program. The Housing Choice Voucher contains a brief description of how the program works and explains the family obligations under the program.

The family must submit a completed Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form to their HCV Housing Counselor, prior to the expiration date stated on the Housing Choice Voucher. Following receipt of the RTA, the HCV Housing Inspector will contact the owner/landlord to schedule an NSPIRE Inspection within 15 days of receiving the RTA form. The HCV participant should not sign a lease or move into the home until it passes inspection.

Before approving the assisted tenancy and executing the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the owner/landlord, Loudoun County must ensure that the following program requirements have been met:

  • The unit is eligible.
  • The unit has been inspected by Loudoun County and meets NSPIRE Standards.
  • The owner/landlord and HCV participant have executed the lease, including the HUD-prescribed tenancy addendum and lead-based paint disclosure information.
  • The rent charged by the owner/landlord is reasonable.

Inspections

The Loudoun County HCV Program is required to inspect each subsidized unit at least once every two years to ensure compliance with NSPIRE Standards. If the unit fails the biennial inspection, the owner/landlord is given a minimum of thirty days written notice to make repairs. However, any failed item that could result in a life-threatening situation, must be repaired within 24 hours. Owners/landlords are encouraged to inspect their units on a regularly scheduled basis and prior to the biennial NSPIRE inspection.

Resources

Questions? 

Participants may call or e-mail their HCV Housing Counselor to request an NSPIRE Standards inspection, or for general concerns. If you have any questions about inspections, please call 703-737-8323.