February’s Newsletter topic is about Appeals. You should absolutely appeal! Never has it been more important to appeal REAC scores than it is now. This is a brand-new program of which none of the inspectors are well-trained. In fact, HUD does not expect to roll out an NSPIRE training program for the inspectors for another 2 years!
Eligibility
You are only eligible to appeal if:
- You failed your REAC inspection (scored under 60)
- You are trying to change your inspection frequency
90+ = inspection is in 3 years
80-89 = inspection is in 2 years
79 and below = inspection is in 1 year
How Do I Know What To Appeal?
If you are not very familiar with NSPIRE’s Standards, this could be difficult to figure out.
So…send me your scored report! Just open the report, click Print to PDF and email it to me.
For free, I will do a quick analysis to see if you have a case. I will let you know which items can be appealed and then give you a choice:
- I can tell you what to say and the evidence you’ll need to upload to HUD
- I can send you a proposal if you’d rather I do the appeal for you
How Do I Submit the Appeal to HUD?
This can be tricky…there is a 10-step process that has to be followed to the letter.
- You must submit the appeal online and YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO GET THIS RIGHT!!!
- You must also email a copy of the items you appealed to NSPIRERegulations@hud.gov and your Account Executive at the local HUD office.
You have 45 days from the day the score was released to appeal – but it’s simpler just to double check the due date under SalesForce.
In SalesForce, just click on your inspection number, scroll down until you see Appeals and the due date will be listed there.
HUD recently published a PDF on the 10-step process which you can download here: Technical Review Guidance
Are There Any Negative Repercussions to Appealing?
Absolutely not! The inspector will never know you appealed, and HUD encourages appeals and feedback. HUD is still listening to all your concerns with this new program.
In fact, there will be a major update to the NSPIRE Standards by mid-2026 so email HUD at NSPIRE@hud.gov all of your feedback whether it be positive or negative (don’t forget to let them know how ridiculous it is to inspect unturned, vacant units in Multifamily Housing – see my October Newsletter – Vacant Units)!
Other Resources
HUD has videos and PDFs at this site on how to appeal and how to close out H&S deficiencies.
NSPIRE Toolkit
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