The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently issued a correction to the “National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) Scoring Notice,” originally published on July 7, 2023. This correction focuses on adjustments to sampling methodologies for property inspections under NSPIRE protocols.

For those unfamiliar with NSPIRE, it’s a critical framework for improving housing safety and quality in HUD-assisted properties. You can learn more about NSPIRE’s goals and benefits in our previous blog here.

NSPIRE Correction

In the original notice, Table 9 outlined the number of units sampled based on property size. Upon review, HUD identified two errors in the rows covering properties with 111–132 units and 133–166 units. The correction table updates these ranges to:

• 111–133 units with an NSPIRE sample size of 26 units.
• 134–166 units with an NSPIRE sample size of 27 units.

These adjustments do not affect the Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) or the overall NSPIRE sampling methodology.

To provide transparency, HUD republished the entire table, ensuring accuracy in property size calculations and unit sampling requirements.

Why Does This Matter?

For property managers and owners participating in HUD programs, accurate sampling sizes are crucial for maintaining inspection compliance. The correction helps:

• Ensure Fair Evaluation: Correct sampling ensures consistent inspections across properties of varying sizes.
• Facilitate Compliance: Accurate sampling minimizes errors during inspection preparation.
• Support Transparency: Clear methodologies build trust in the inspection process.

HUD’s correction highlights its dedication to transparency and precision in implementing NSPIRE protocols.

Next Steps

If your property falls within the corrected ranges, ensure your inspection preparation aligns with the updated sample sizes. You can review the revised Table 9 in HUD’s official Federal Register notice.

For further clarification or guidance, contact HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) at NSPIRERegulations@hud.gov.