Proper property maintenance is a key part of INSPIRE inspections, and litter is one area that often raises questions.

Where Litter is Inspected

INSPIRE focuses on litter in two main areas:

1. Outside the building – grounds, landscaping areas, and walkways.
2. Common areas – indoor shared spaces such as maintenance rooms and lobbies.

Important: Litter inside individual apartments is not citable under INSPIRE. Even if an apartment appears messy, it does not trigger a deficiency.

What Counts as Litter

There are two types of litter that inspectors look for:

• Small items: 10 or more small items within a 10×10 square foot area. Examples include:
  • Cigarette butts
  • Small pieces of paper or plastic
  • Food wrappers
• Large items: One large item that has been discarded incorrectly, such as a mattress or appliance left in the wrong location.

Once the threshold of 10 small items is met, or a single large item is found, the situation is considered a low-level deficiency.

INSPIRE vs. Housing Choice Voucher

• For Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 inspections:
  • Litter in the low category is considered a pass.
  • It does not negatively affect the inspection score.

What Does Not Count

• Vegetation or debris touching the building or fences is not considered litter.
• Items placed at the curb for scheduled pickup (e.g., weekly trash day) are not cited as incorrectly discarded.

Practical Tips

1. Regularly inspect common areas and exterior grounds to catch litter before it accumulates.
2. Educate residents about proper disposal practices, especially regarding large items.
3. Maintain scheduled curbside pickup or designated collection areas to avoid deficiencies.