UPCS
In 1998, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) to provide accurate information assessing the condition of properties owned, insured or subsidized by HUD. The Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) is an inspection protocol developed by HUD to evaluate if its residents live in decent, safe and sanitary housing. The UPCS protocol has become a standard by which to measure the physical condition of multi-family and other subsidized properties and continues to be adopted by federal, state and local governments.
Site:
- Fences: Perimeter/security fences with holes, missing sections or other damage.
- Grounds: Trees, vines and other vegetation touching buildings and fences.
- Erosion: Soil erosion and rutting.
- Retaining Walls: Deteriorating or damaged walls including rotten wood and cracks in concrete.
- Tripping Hazards: Caused by abrupt changes in elevation of 3/4” or more on solid surfaces including sidewalks, play courts and parking lots. Common
- issues are sections of sidewalks that have settled next to curbs or other sections of sidewalk. Potholes in parking lots can cause the same issue.
- Sharp Edges: Broken glass on sidewalk, parking lots or other traveled paths.
Systems:
- Electrical: Panel boxes or other electrical device boxes with missing knockouts, breakers or other gaps larger than 1/4”; disconnects and timer boxes with missing internal covers and not secured; boiler and generator control panel boxes that are not locked (secured).
- Fire Protection: Painted sprinkler heads (anywhere on the sprinkler) and expired or discharged fire extinguishers.
- Domestic Water: Water heater Pressure Relief Valve pipe missing or more than 18” from the floor.
Building Exterior:
- Doors: Missing or deteriorated seals, holes from removed hardware or rust and other surface deterioration. Inoperable closer hardware causing the door not to latch.
- Walls: Holes or other deterioration in siding affecting an area larger than 1/2”.
- Foundations: Foundation walls and main level concrete floors (usually basement) with cracks or gaps.
- Roofing: Flat roof drains that have debris around them or are clogged. Separation in seams or tears in the membrane causing potential water penetration.
Units:
- GFI outlets are inoperable.
- Bathtub caulk with mold or mildew is present.
- Roaches dead or alive in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Window locks and sashes are inoperable. (Especially in bdrms)
- Kitchen burners are inoperable.
- Double keyed or padlocks on any door in the unit
- AC units in only bedroom windows
National Housing Services has compiled some great resources provided by HUD.
HUD REAC Training You Tube Videos
Understanding the UPCS Inspection Protocol
HUD DCD Public Inspection Software
Download for HUD’s Public Version of the DCD Inspection Software.
Appeal Inspection Result – Technical Review and Database Adjustments