FAQ
HQS and NSPIRE questions for agencies and landlords.
Plain answers for public housing agencies, HCV programs, and landlords in Southwest Ohio — including Dayton and Cincinnati voucher markets. Book by email only. Related: HQS vs NSPIRE guide · Southwest Ohio coverage.
What is HQS?
HQS means Housing Quality Standards — the longstanding HUD habitability framework many Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs use for unit inspections. ATK performs on-site HQS certified inspections for public housing agencies, housing authorities, and landlords.
What is NSPIRE?
NSPIRE is HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate — the standards framework many agencies are moving toward for physical inspections of HUD housing. ATK offers NSPIRE inspections, protocol support, and readiness consulting under applicable PHA / program rules.
What’s the difference between HQS and NSPIRE?
HQS is the longstanding Housing Quality Standards framework used in HCV / PHA inspections. NSPIRE is HUD’s newer National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate. Many programs are moving toward NSPIRE; timing and forms vary by PHA. ATK supports both.
Do you offer NSPIRE inspections, protocol, or readiness consulting?
Yes — ATK offers NSPIRE inspections, NSPIRE protocol support, and readiness consulting for PHAs, agencies, and landlords, alongside HQS work. NSPIRE work follows current HUD NSPIRE standards and local PHA requirements. Training on NSPIRE is not the same as a HUD inspector certification.
Do you hold a formal NSPIRE certification or license?
We do not advertise a formal NSPIRE certification or NSPIRE license. HUD’s inspector-certification rulemaking is still evolving. We are trained on NSPIRE and perform NSPIRE-protocol inspections and readiness work under applicable PHA / program rules. We list only credentials we can show: HQS certified and Ohio HI OHI.2019006734.
Are you HQS certified?
Yes — HQS certified. Ohio home inspector license OHI.2019006734 is listed separately. We do not say “HQS license.”
Who should request a housing authority inspection?
Public housing agencies, PHAs, and landlords or property managers with Housing Choice Voucher units that need documented HQS pass/fail or NSPIRE scored / graded findings, or help getting units ready before the official date.
What do I receive after the visit?
For HQS: a clear pass or fail with reasons you can act on, and Form HUD-52580 / 52580-A when required. For NSPIRE: scored / graded findings by defect severity documented from the visit. Pass/fail for HCV remains the PHA’s call.
How is consulting different from the official inspection?
Consulting is a readiness walk before the official date. It surfaces likely fails and a fix order. It does not replace the official housing authority inspection on the agency calendar, and it does not guarantee a pass.
Is NSPIRE pass/fail like HQS?
No. HQS inspections are pass/fail under Housing Quality Standards used in HCV / PHA programs. NSPIRE inspections are scored and graded by defect severity — not a simple pass/fail product promise. Results reflect observed deficiencies under current NSPIRE standards; the PHA or program applies its own rules to those results.
How do I contact ATK Inspections?
Use the form on this site or email [email protected]. Replies are by email. There is no public phone number on this site.
What area do you cover?
Primary coverage is Southwest Ohio, including Dayton, Cincinnati, and nearby voucher markets. Larger portfolios or out-of-area work when travel makes sense — include city, unit count, and timing when you email.
What is Form HUD-52580 / 52580-A?
Form HUD-52580 / 52580-A is the inspection paperwork many HCV / HQS programs use to record unit conditions. When your program requires it, ATK completes the form from what was observed on the on-site visit.
Can a landlord request an HQS or NSPIRE inspection?
Yes — landlords and property managers with voucher / assisted units can request on-site HQS or NSPIRE work, or readiness consulting before the official PHA date. Many official program inspections are still scheduled by the housing authority — ask which you need when you email.
What usually fails an HQS or NSPIRE inspection?
Common fails cluster around life-safety, utilities, egress, surfaces, and unfinished repairs. Exact items depend on the standard your program uses (HQS or NSPIRE) and local PHA rules. Readiness consulting is built to surface likely fails before the official date.
Do you re-inspect after repairs?
Yes — re-inspection after repairs is a normal part of HQS workflows after a fail, and of NSPIRE workflows when the program requires a follow-up after scored deficiencies. Say so when you book so scheduling matches your repair window.
Do you work with Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) units?
Yes — ATK’s public work is HQS and NSPIRE inspections for PHAs, agencies, and landlords with HCV / assisted units, plus readiness consulting.
Are you familiar with Yardi or Emphasys?
Yes — ATK is familiar with Yardi and Emphasys for coordinating schedules, unit lists, and inspection records with PHA workflows. That is systems experience, not a software certification.
Is an Ohio home inspector license the same as HQS or NSPIRE authority?
No. Ohio home inspector licensing (OHI.2019006734) is separate from HQS and NSPIRE program rules. ATK lists Ohio HI and HQS certified as separate credentials, and is trained on NSPIRE for NSPIRE-protocol work.
Does NSPIRE fully replace HQS everywhere?
No. Many programs are moving toward NSPIRE, but timing and forms vary by PHA. ATK supports both HQS and NSPIRE so you can book the standard your program uses.
Do you guarantee a unit will pass?
No. For HQS, ATK documents clear pass or fail from the visit. For NSPIRE, ATK documents scored / graded findings by defect severity. Pass/fail for HCV remains the PHA’s call. Consulting does not guarantee a pass or a score outcome.
How should I prepare for the inspection day?
Confirm access, keys, and that utilities are on. Be ready to state whether you need HQS, NSPIRE, or readiness consulting. Email city, unit count, and timing when you request a date.