NSPIRE standards checklist · Ohio

NSPIRE inspection checklist for Ohio properties

A plain-language NSPIRE standards checklist for owners and managers in Dayton and across Ohio, built from HUD's NSPIRE standards and the HUD NSPIRE HCV/PBV Inspection Checklist. Use it before a scored NSPIRE inspection, an NSPIRE-V voucher inspection or a mock inspection. It is a starting point, not the full HUD standard.

White ranch-style house with windows, gutters, and a front walk visible.

Unit checklist

Smoke alarm on every level, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area; each one sounds when tested.
CO alarm where there is a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range, fireplace or attached garage; it sounds when tested.
No exposed wiring, missing cover plates or open breaker panel slots; three-prong outlets wired and grounded.
GFCI protection for outlets within six feet of a sink, tub or other water source; test and reset work.
Permanent heat works. Ohio winters matter here: HUD's checklist looks at the heat source between October 1 and March 31. No unvented gas, oil or kerosene space heaters.
Water heater relief valve and discharge pipe correct: not capped, not sloped up, right material.
Bedroom windows open, stay open and are not blocked; exits clear.
Doors and windows lock; no broken glass.
Kitchen: working range and refrigerator where supplied, sink with hot and cold water.
Bathroom: working toilet, sink, tub or shower; ventilation.
Lighting and minimum electrical present in each room as the standard requires.
Dryer exhaust attached, proper duct, not restricted, exterior hood in place.
No leaks, mold-like growth, or signs of pests.

Inside (common areas and systems)

Fire-labeled doors self-close and latch; labels visible.
Handrails and guardrails present and tight.
Common-area smoke alarms, exit signs and emergency lighting work.
Mechanical, boiler and electrical rooms clear of storage.
Fire extinguishers charged and inspected where present.

Outside

Walkways and steps free of trip hazards; railings secure.
Exterior lighting works.
Roof drains, gutters and grading direct water away.
Fences, retaining walls and play equipment intact.
Trash enclosed; no pest harborage.

Ohio-specific points

Older housing stock: much of the rental housing in Dayton, Springfield, Hamilton and other older Ohio cities predates 1978, so look for deteriorated paint and follow HUD lead-safe rules.
Heating season: plan furnace service before October; a heat failure in winter is a high-priority deficiency.
Local codes still apply: city rental registration and housing codes in Ohio are separate from NSPIRE. Meeting one does not guarantee the other.
Voucher units: Ohio housing authorities must use NSPIRE for HCV and PBV inspections by February 1, 2027 (Notice PIH 2026-18). Ask yours whether it has already switched.

Sources: HUD NSPIRE Standards, HUD NSPIRE HCV/PBV Inspection Checklist. ATK also has a printable Dayton landlord prep checklist.

Questions

Is there an official NSPIRE checklist?

HUD publishes the NSPIRE standards and an HCV/PBV inspection checklist on hud.gov. This page summarizes common items for Ohio properties; the HUD documents are the authority.

What are the NSPIRE inspectable areas?

Units, Inside (common areas and building systems) and Outside (site, grounds and exterior).

When do Ohio voucher landlords need to meet NSPIRE?

HUD requires housing authorities to use NSPIRE for HCV and PBV inspections by February 1, 2027 (Notice PIH 2026-18). Some Ohio PHAs may switch earlier.

Does passing a city rental inspection mean I pass NSPIRE?

No. Local Ohio housing codes and HUD's NSPIRE standards are separate requirements.

More NSPIRE guides

ATK Inspections is an independent inspector (Ohio Home Inspector License OHI.2019006734, a state license, not HUD authority). ATK is not HUD, REAC, or any housing authority, and is not affiliated with them. A mock or readiness inspection does not replace the official inspection and does not promise a result. Contact is by email: [email protected].

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