At the inspection, the inspector determines if the owner or tenant is responsible for correcting the deficiency, based upon the inspector's findings and questioning of how a condition occurred.   If you are responsible for the failing condition, it will be noted on the inspection report and you will be responsible for correcting the condition. Failure to correct tenant-caused deficiencies may result in counseling and/or termination of assistance.

If, at the biennial inspection, a unit fails two consecutive inspections because of owner-related deficiencies, the LACDA withholds or abates payments to the owner. 

Abatement begins on the first day of the month following the second consecutive inspection that fails for owner-related deficiencies.

Abatement will also occur if the unit fails a lead-based paint visual assessment and the owner fails to meet applicable requirements within the 30-day timeframe.  In this case, payments will be withheld or abated starting on the first of the following month.
 
The LACDA payments will not be refunded to the owner for the period that the unit is in abatement.

You are still responsible for paying your share of the rent while the unit is in abatement.  You are not responsible for paying the balance of the rent - you must continue to pay only the portion of rent authorized by the LACDA.

It is your responsibility - and a family obligation - to ensure that the inspector is able to gain entry to the unit.  If you cannot be present, you are responsible for finding another person, 18 years old or older, who can be present, so the inspection can be conducted.  The LACDA may also reschedule your inspection if you have good cause, but you must call to reschedule before the day of the inspection.  Failing to ensure the inspector gains access to your unit for your scheduled Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection may be grounds for termination of your assistance.

The LACDA strongly recommends that you and/or the owner are present at the inspection to address questions that the inspector may have about specific deficiencies.

The inspection must include the unit site and any common areas of the property.  The LACDA is obligated to ensure that the property does not pose a threat to the health or safety of assisted families.  Therefore, the garage must be accessible for the inspection, even if it is being used by the owner.  Once accessed, inspectors will evaluate the garage for HQS.

Unless an inspector finds health or safety concerns because of the condition of the paint or carpet that cause the unit to fail the inspection, the LACDA will not require new paint, carpet, or other upgrades.  However, if you or your family are responsible for excessive damage, you may be held responsible for making the corrections, with the owner's approval.  In most other cases, upgrades are between you and the owner or landlord.

Your first point of contact is your owner or property manager.  Owner and tenant communication is vital to resolving property-related concerns.

If you are unable to resolve a matter with your owner or property manager, you may contact the LACDA and request an interim or emergency inspection of the unit.

New contract inspections are usually scheduled approximately two weeks from the receipt of the Request for Tenancy Approval form, based on the Inspections Unit's earliest calendar date.

Inspections are conducted between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:30 pm.  Due to the high volume of inspections that are scheduled daily, we cannot provide you with a specific time of day the inspector will arrive. On the day of the inspection appointment, however, if you call the telephone number on the inspection appointment letter, we may be able to give a window time frame in which you can expect the inspector.