In NSPIRE inspections, understanding which items are considered inspectable is critical—especially when residents bring their own appliances or accessories into a unit. While ownership may belong to the resident, the responsibility for safety and functionality often falls on the housing provider once the item is installed or in use.

Here’s a breakdown of common resident-owned items and how they factor into inspections:

1. Toilet Seats and Shower Heads

• Residents often replace standard toilet seats or shower heads with their own purchased items.
• Key point: Once installed, these items are treated as part of the unit.
• If a resident-owned toilet seat or shower head is loose, damaged, or leaking, it becomes a deficiency for the housing provider.
• For inspections:
  • Moderate deficiencies (e.g., leaking shower heads) may result in failed Housing Choice Voucher inspections.

2. Grab Bars

• Grab bars, regardless of who installed them, must be secure.
• Any loose grab bar in a bathroom is considered a deficiency.
• Ownership does not matter once the item is installed in the unit.

3. Dryer Vents

• The dryer vent is always the housing provider’s responsibility, even if the resident owns the dryer.
• Issues such as disconnections, damage, or crimping are considered life-threatening deficiencies requiring immediate repair.

4. Resident-Owned Refrigerators

• Primary appliance: If the resident-owned refrigerator replaces the unit’s main refrigerator, it must be inspected.
• Secondary appliance: If the original provider appliance remains, the resident’s additional refrigerator is not inspected.
• This distinction ensures that only essential appliances impacting unit functionality are evaluated.

5. Air Conditioners

• Resident-owned window or portable air conditioners are not inspected, even if they are the unit’s only cooling system.
• This applies to operation but not to egress or safety concerns, which are covered separately.

6. Fire Extinguishers

• Provider-owned extinguishers are always inspected.
• Resident-owned extinguishers are not inspectable, though you may need to clarify ownership to an inspector.

7. Sharp Hazards

• Broken mirrors, glass tables, or appliances with exposed sharp edges are inspectable only if they are provider-owned.
• Resident-owned hazards are not your responsibility.

8. Cables and Tripping Hazards

• Even if residents own cables or cords, they must be managed to prevent tripping hazards.
• Loose or improperly placed cords create deficiencies, regardless of ownership.

Key Takeaways

• Ownership is irrelevant for items installed or creating hazards in the unit.
• The housing provider is responsible for:
  • Any installed fixture that is unsafe or defective.
  • Items essential for habitability, like dryer vents or primary appliances.
• Resident-owned items not affecting safety or functionality generally do not count as deficiencies.

By understanding these distinctions, housing providers can better prepare for inspections and maintain safe, compliant units while clearly communicating responsibilities to residents.