The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has received feedback from Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Property Owners/Agents (OAs) regarding issues encountered when submitting appeals in the NSPIRE IT system. To address this, HUD has made Technical Review Guidance available, providing a summary of the basis for technical review and instructions for submitting an appeal.
As a reminder, if an OA believes that a property’s inspection results and score should be reviewed for verifiable reasons, it may request a technical review. It should submit the request electronically through the NSPIRE system within 45 calendar days after HUD provides the inspection report.
A request for technical review must be accompanied by evidence supporting the claim. HUD recommends seeking a technical review only if the correction will significantly improve the property’s overall score, such as an increase to 60 or above or a change in the inspection frequency.
Technical Review
A property can request a technical review of the inspection results and score. The technical review process allows PHAs and OAs to have points restored for verifiable reasons, including HUD or inspector error, adverse conditions beyond their control, modernization work in progress, and conflicts with state or local code. A request for a technical review of inspection results must be submitted electronically in the NSPIRE system. REAC must receive it by the 45th calendar day after HUD provides the inspection report to the PHA or OA.
Eligibility
A request for a technical review of inspection results must be accompanied by evidence supporting the claim. PHAs or OAs should only seek a technical review that will significantly improve the property’s overall score if corrected. Significant improvement refers to an increase in a score for the property such that the new score crosses an administratively significant threshold, which may include an increase in the property score to 60 or above or a change in the inspection frequency.
Basis for Technical Review
- Building Data Error: E.g., a property component (such as a building, common area, or sidewalk) does not belong to the owner. Acceptable evidence includes
- Letter from a public authority (e.g., fire department, code enforcement officer, licensed contractor).
- Surveys (performed by licensed professionals or issued by government entities).
- Proof of ownership.
- Adjustments for factors not reflected or inappropriately reflected in physical condition score: E.g., Local code contradicts NSPIRE standards. Acceptable evidence includes
- Letter from a public authority (e.g., fire marshall, Code enforcement officer, licensed professional).
- Copy of official publication for the property location and applicable housing code.
- Unit error count: An error in unit count affected the inspection sample size. Acceptable evidence includes
- Data count from the source system.
- Adjustments for adverse conditions beyond the control of the owner or PHA: For example, a natural disaster or circumstance beyond the property owner’s control caused the defect. Acceptable evidence includes
- Statement of nearby work and proof of damage caused to property (e.g., insurance claim, statement from government source).
- A Non-existent Deficiency Error: E.g., The deficiency cited by the inspector does not apply to the observed condition, or the inspector noted the wrong defect. Acceptable evidence includes
- Evaluation from a public authority, such as a fire Marshal, code enforcement officer, or licensed contractor.
- Letter from a licensed professional.
- Adjustments for modernization work in progress: For example, the defect cited is a result of a HUD-approved modernization or rehabilitation project that is underway. Acceptable evidence includes
- Letter from HUD approving the work.
- Work orders from a licensed professional.
- Contracts (e.g., legal documentation with signature by the vendor responsible for the work).
- Statement of start and completion dates.
Best Practices and Recommendations for Submitting Technical Reviews
Before submitting the appeal, review the NSPIRE standards for full details and scoring methodology. Clearly describe the basis for the appeal and ensure that supporting documentation is legible.
Do not submit documents that are unrelated to the specific deficiency that is being appealed.
To lodge an NSPIRE appeal with HUD, (1) log into the NSPIRE system; (2) select the Inspections tab; (3) Select an Inspection Name to open the inspection record; (4) Select “View all” under “ExAM Deficiencies;” (5) Select a deficiency name; (6) Select “Add/Remove from Appeal,” (7) Select an Appeal Reason from the dropdown menu; and (8) Describe the error in the Property Appeals Comment field, and include supporting documentation.
If you have any questions, email HUD at NSPIRE@hud.gov or call the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at 1-888-245-4860.