Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) Inspections

An HQS inspection is a required review of a rental unit to ensure it meets HUD’s minimum standards for health, safety, and sanitation under the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. Units must pass before a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract can begin and must continue to meet standards throughout tenancy.

Inspections are performed by certified HQS Inspectors contracted by the Public Housing Agency (PHA). Inspectors follow HUD regulations and local PHA policies.

• Initial Inspection: Before a voucher tenant can move in.
• Annual Inspection: Conducted once per year for occupied units.
• Re-Inspection: To verify that failed items have been corrected.
• Special/Complaint Inspection: Triggered by tenant, owner, or PHA concerns.
• Emergency/EHS Inspection: For life-threatening issues requiring immediate action.

• Ensure all utilities (electric, gas, water) are turned on.
• Provide full access to all rooms, closets, basements, and exterior areas.
• Make sure smoke and CO detectors are installed and working.
• Repair any known issues such as leaks, broken windows, missing handrails, or exposed wiring.
• Remove any safety hazards, including blocked exits or tripping hazards.

• Initial inspections: The owner or their representative must provide access.
• Annual inspections: Either the tenant or owner must ensure access.

If no one is available, the inspection will be marked No Access and must be rescheduled.

The inspector will issue a Violation Notice listing all deficiencies.

• Life-threatening issues: Must be corrected within 24 hours.
• Non-life-threatening issues: Must be corrected within the timeframe set by the PHA (typically 30 days).

A re-inspection will be scheduled to verify repairs.

• Missing or non-working smoke/CO detectors
• Peeling paint (especially in pre-1978 units)
• Broken or inoperable windows
• Leaking plumbing or water damage
• Exposed wiring or unsafe electrical outlets
• Missing handrails on stairs
• Pest infestations
• Inadequate bedroom egress
• Non-functioning appliances required by the lease

Examples include:

• Gas leaks
• Exposed electrical wiring
• No working smoke detector
• Blocked or unusable exits
• Severe sewage backups
• These must be corrected immediately.

Depending on PHA policy, owners may:

• Provide photos of corrected items, or
• Wait for a physical re-inspection 
• The inspector will confirm compliance before the unit can pass.

For occupied units:

• The PHA may abate (stop) HAP payments.
• Continued non-compliance may result in termination of the HAP contract.

For initial inspections:

• The unit cannot be approved for the voucher tenant until it passes.

Yes. If the inspector determines the tenant caused the issue (e.g., damage, poor housekeeping, missing detectors), the PHA may require the tenant to correct it. Failure to do so may affect their program participation.

Most inspections take 20–45 minutes, depending on unit size and condition.

Owners and tenants will receive a written Inspection Report or Violation Notice detailing:

• Pass/Fail status
• Required repairs
• Deadlines
• Re-inspection date (if applicable)

Owners may request a review or clarification from the inspection supervisor. Provide photos or documentation to support your concern. Final determinations follow HUD and PHA policy.

For questions regarding inspections, please contact the HANO Inspection Department at 504-670-3343 or email inspections@hano.org or call 504-670-3343.