📋 MASTER NSPIRE ROOM-BY-ROOM SELF-AUDIT CHECKLIST
Official Pre-Inspection Walking Protocol for Landlords & Property Managers
Print this checklist on a clipboard and walk every unit 7–14 days before your scheduled inspection.
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📍 SECTION 1: UNIT INTERIOR (LIVING SPACES & BEDROOMS)
| Status | Item to Check | Plain-English Requirement | Fix Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke Alarms | One working alarm inside each bedroom, one outside sleeping areas, and on each level. Must have sealed 10-year battery. | Replace with 10-year lithium unit if beeping, missing, or has removable 9V battery. | |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Required if home has gas appliances, fireplace, or attached garage. One outside bedrooms on each floor. | Install combo CO/Smoke alarm on wall or plug into outlet. | |
| Bedroom Egress Windows | At least one window per bedroom must open smoothly and stay open by itself. | Scrape paint off tracks, fix balances. Remove window A/C units from single egress windows. | |
| Window Locks & Sashes | Latch locks securely. Glass has no cracks with sharp edges. | Replace cracked panes; lubricate or replace window latch. | |
| Interior Doors | Must open and close easily, latch securely into striker plate. | Plane bottom edge if sticking; tighten hinge screws. | |
| Electrical Outlets & Switches | Every outlet has a secure cover plate. No cracked plates, no exposed wiring. | Install replacement switch/outlet cover plates ($0.79). | |
| Flooring & Transitions | No carpet tears, no floor transition lips higher than 3/4 inch (trip hazard). | Nail down or glue loose metal transition strips; stretch wrinkled carpet. | |
| Ceiling & Walls | No active water stains, no holes larger than 1 inch, no sagging drywall. | Patch drywall holes; paint over dry water stains with stain-blocker. | |
| Heating (Winter) | Heating system maintains at least 68°F in all living spaces. | Test thermostat, replace dirty air filters, confirm furnace fires. |
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📍 SECTION 2: KITCHEN
| Status | Item to Check | Plain-English Requirement | Fix Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFCI Outlets | All electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink must be GFCI-protected. | Press 'TEST' button to confirm power trips. Replace non-GFCI plugs. | |
| Stove Burners & Knobs | All burners ignite within 5 seconds. All knobs present and labeled clearly. | Clean food grease off spark igniters. Replace missing knobs. | |
| Stove Anti-Tip Bracket | Stove does not tip forward when moderate weight is applied to open oven door. | Install universal rear foot floor bracket ($8). | |
| Range Hood / Exhaust Fan | Exhaust fan and light work. Grease filter clean and in place. | Replace burnt bulb; degrease or replace metal mesh filter. | |
| Kitchen Sink & Faucet | Hot and cold water flows with good pressure. No dripping faucet. | Tighten aerator; replace leaking faucet cartridge. | |
| Under-Sink Plumbing | P-trap pipes completely dry. No water stains or rotting cabinet floor. | Tighten P-trap slip nuts. Clean and paint stained cabinet floor. | |
| Refrigerator & Freezer | Maintains food temperature below 40°F. Door rubber seal tight, no large tears. | Clean magnetic rubber gasket; replace if torn and leaking cold air. | |
| Pest Evidence | Zero roaches, mouse droppings, or food crumbs behind/under appliances. | Deep clean behind fridge/stove; deploy professional gel bait. |
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📍 SECTION 3: BATHROOM
| Status | Item to Check | Plain-English Requirement | Fix Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFCI Receptacle | Every bathroom outlet must be GFCI protected and trip properly. | Replace standard outlet with GFCI unit. | |
| Toilet Stability | Toilet is firmly bolted to floor with no rocking when moved. | Tighten closet floor bolts; replace wax ring if floor is wet. | |
| Toilet Flushing & Refill | Flushes completely, stops filling once tank is full. No continuous running. | Replace worn flapper valve or fill valve ($10 kit). | |
| Bathroom Ventilation | Operable window OR mechanical exhaust fan that pulls air. | Clean dust from exhaust fan grille; test with toilet paper sheet. | |
| Sink & Tub Drainage | Drains water freely with no standing water or slow drainage. | Clear hair clogs with drain snake; clean pop-up stopper. | |
| Shower / Tub Caulking | Clean watertight seal around tub/tile junction. No black mold pockets. | Scrape old moldy silicone, bleach surface, apply fresh silicone caulk. | |
| Call-for-Aid Cord (if senior) | Emergency pull cord must hang within 6 inches of the finished floor. | Untie any knotted cords; add extension pull string if too short. |
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📍 SECTION 4: WATER HEATER & UTILITY CLOSET
| Status | Item to Check | Plain-English Requirement | Fix Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Discharge Pipe (TPR) | Rigid copper/CPVC pipe ends 2 to 6 inches above floor. Not capped. | Install 3/4" pipe running down from valve toward floor. | |
| Flue Vent Pipe | Metal exhaust flue connects tightly to chimney/exhaust with screws. | Secure loose exhaust pipe joints with sheet metal screws. | |
| Combustibles Clearance | Zero cardboard, clothing, paint, or chemicals within 3 feet of water heater/furnace. | Remove all tenant storage completely from utility closets. | |
| Dryer Venting | Metal rigid or semi-rigid duct vented outside. No thin white vinyl foil. | Replace plastic duct with approved aluminum ducting. |
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📍 SECTION 5: EXTERIOR & GROUNDS
| Status | Item to Check | Plain-English Requirement | Fix Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewalks & Walkways | No concrete lips or cracks 3/4 inch or higher (tripping hazard). | Grind down raised edges or apply quick-set concrete patch. | |
| Stair Handrails | Any staircase with 4 or more steps must have a firmly secured handrail. | Tighten mounting brackets; replace loose handrail. | |
| Porch Guardrails | Any deck or drop-off 30 inches or higher must have a 36-inch tall railing. | Install sturdy wooden or metal baluster railing. | |
| Exterior Entry Doors | Weatherstripping intact (no light shining through edges). Single deadbolt. | Install bottom door sweep and side weatherstrip foam. | |
| House Numbers (Signage) | Address numbers clearly visible from the street (emergency dispatch). | Mount high-contrast address numbers on front exterior ($8). |