There is so much talk about NSPIRE these days, but there is one NSPIRE requirement that nobody seems to be emphasizing: NSPIRE will significantly increase the number of mandatory 24 hour repairs, and will require that nearly every other defect be repaired within 30 days.
For landlords and property managers, this means that they must be prepared to respond quickly to repair requests. It’s essential to have reliable contractors and vendors on call to address emergency repairs promptly. Failure to do so could result in significant fines and penalties.
The following small sample of defects will all become 24 hour repairs, in addition to the Exigent Health and Safety items from the old (UPCS) protocol:
- Bad weather stripping, inoperable closer, and/or holes in any fire rated door
- Paint on a sprinkler head (even though NFPA guidelines prohibit cleaning a sprinkler and replacement requires a licensed sprinkler contractor)
- Inoperable GFIs and AFCIs (even though you may need a licensed electrician)
- Leaks in sanitary plumbing (again, even though this may require an outside vendor)
- A detached dryer vent on an electric dryer (Why?)
- There is no operable toilet in a Unit
- Missing guard rail at a drop greater than 30 inches
There are only a few defects that do not require repair within 30 days:
- Erosion and storm drainage issues
- Entry door and passage door issues that do not impact operation
- Litter outdoors
- Mold/mildew under 4 square inches
- No hot water or inoperable restroom components in a non-unit area
- A missing dryer vent cap (which invokes great irony since REAC saw fit to call this Level 3 Exterior Wall Damage, worth as much as 10 points on some properties)
Nearly every other conceivable defect must be addressed within 30 days. Once you’ve repaired nearly every defect cited during this inspection, you will also be required to report each repair through an online tracking system that will raise a flag if you fail to report the repair in a timely manner.
Preparing for Mandatory Repairs
While the new regulations are daunting for landlords and property managers, they are ultimately intended to protect tenants and ensure safe and habitable living conditions. By prioritizing emergency repairs, property owners can create a safer and more comfortable living environment for tenants.
However, our concerns that the new regulations could lead to increased costs and liability are not insignificant. Emergency repairs can be costly, especially if they occur outside of regular business hours. Additionally, property owners may face liability if they fail to complete emergency repairs within the required timeframe, the penalties or not yet clearly defined.
To mitigate these concerns, it’s important to develop a plan to address emergency repairs quickly and efficiently. This could include building relationships with reliable contractors, developing a system to track and prioritize repair requests, and ensuring that all tenants are aware of the emergency repair protocol.
We will continue to update you as we learn more about NSPIRE’s new protocols.
Are you concerned about NSPIRE?
Contact us today so we can help you get as high a score as possible this year so you can avoid having to tackle NSPIRE until all of the bugs have been worked out.
