Housing Care Checklist

The Housing Care Checklist below provides guidance on how to keep each room or section of your home in good care: 

Living Room

• Ceiling and walls in good condition.
• Electricity - must have at least two outlets; or one outlet and one permanent light fixture. 
• A floor that is in good condition.   
• At least one window and window must be in good condition. 
• A lock that works on all windows and doors. 
• No chipped or peeling paint.  

Kitchen  

• Ceiling and walls in good condition. 
• Storage, preparation, and serving places for food.   
• Electricity - at least one electric outlet and one permanent light fixture.   
• A stove and oven that works.   
• A floor that is in good condition.   
• No chipped or peeling paint.   
• If there is a window, it must be in good condition.   
• A refrigerator that works.   
• A sink with hot and cold running water.  No leaks.  

Bathroom

• Ceiling and walls in good condition. 
• A window that opens to the outside or a working exhaust fan. 
• A lock on all windows or doors. 
• A flush toilet that works. 
• A tub or shower and washbasin with hot and cold running water.   
• A floor that is in good condition.   
• No chipped or peeling paint.   
• At least one permanent overhead or wall light fixture.  

Other Rooms

• Ceiling, walls, and floors in good condition.   
• No chipped or peeling paint.   
• Electricity - must have at least two outlets; or one outlet and one permanent light fixture.   
• A lock that works on all windows and doors that can be reached from the outside.   
• At least one openable window in every room used for sleeping.  Must be in good condition.           

Building Exterior, Plumbing, and Heating  

• A roof in good condition that does not leak, with gutters and downspouts in good condition and securely attached to the building.   
• Handrails on stairs with four or more steps and any porch areas that are 30 inches or higher above the ground.   
• Exterior walls in good condition.   
• A foundation in good condition. 
• A plumbing system that is served by an approvable public or private water supply system. 
• A sewer system that is connected to an approvable public or private sewage disposal system.   
• No leaning or defective chimneys.   
• No cracked, peeling, or chipping paint on exterior.   
• Pipes that are in good condition, with no leaks and no serious rust that causes the water to be discolored.   
• The hot water heater must have an overflow pipe which extends from the pressure relief valve to within six inches of the floor.   
• Safe and adequate heating systems.   
• Unvented Heater Regulation states:  "The dwelling must not contain unvented room heaters that burn gas, oil, or kerosene.  Electric heaters are acceptable."  Please make sure the electric heaters are wired into the permanent wiring system.  

General Health and Safety   

• At least one working smoke detector on each level of the unit, including the basement.   
• The unit must provide an alternate means of exit in case of fire.   
• An entrance from the outside so that it is not necessary to go through anyone else's private apartment to get into the unit.   
• No large piles of garbage inside or outside the unit.   
• Interior stairs with railings that are safe and in good condition. 
• No signs of rats or large numbers of mice or vermin.