II.    INITIAL/NEW INSPECTIONS:

1. An initial/new inspection will not be scheduled until all paperwork has been approved by the Housing Counselor and forwarded to the Inspection Division.
2. Upon receipt of the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) from the housing counselor, the Inspection Division will attempt to make contact with the owner or owner’s representative within 48 working hours to arrange an inspection.  A message may be left on the owner or owner’s representatives voice mail and the contact call will be documented on the RFTA.
3. When notified by the owner or owner’s representative that the unit is ready, RHA will attempt to schedule an initial/new inspection within 15 calendar days.  It is expected that the owner or the owner’s representative have the unit ready for the scheduled inspection according to RHA’s policy and to meet HQS as implemented by HUD.
4. If the initial/new inspection fails, the Inspection Division will send a copy of the inspection report to the owner or owner’s representative allowing 14 calendar days to complete repairs from the date of the letter.
5. Upon receiving notification that the repairs have been completed, RHA will attempt to schedule a re-inspection within 15 calendar days with the following exceptions:  A unit was substantially not ready at the initial/new inspection and/or if the owner or owner’s representative requesting the re-inspection consistently has units under the program that are not ready.  Examples include but are not limited to:  owner or owner's representative working on repairs when inspector arrives, missing appliances, utilities not on, numerous HQS violations, and/or not showing up for a scheduled inspection.  If the exception criterion applies, RHA may take up to the maximum time allowed by HUD to re-inspect (30 calendar days).
6. If the initial/new inspection fails the third time, a notification letter and a repair list will be sent to the owner or owner’s representative with no date for completion of repairs specified.
7. All failed initial/new inspection reports are returned to the housing counselor after 30 calendar days.  The housing counselor will contact the owner or owner’s representative for the status of the repairs.
8. If the unit passes inspection, the Housing Counselor will mail a "pass letter" to the owner and/or owner's representative.
9. All RFTAs, where there has been no contact from the owner or owner’s representative (no inspection scheduled), are returned to the housing counselor after 30 calendar days.  The housing counselor will attempt to make contact with the owner and tenant.
10. On an initial/new inspection, if the owner or owner’s representative provides the Inspection Division with a key or combination to a lock box (no one present), the inspector may leave notification in the unit stating whether the unit passed or failed HQS implemented by HUD.  Inconclusive may be marked on this notification until a rent reasonableness comparison is completed.  The Inspection Supervisor will attempt to contact the owner or owner’s representative within 48 working hours to negotiate the rent or request that the owner or owner’s representative submit 3 comparable rents for RHA’s review.