County offers tips for landlords ahead of their annual inspections

The Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development is reminding Big Island landlords about a few tips that will make the annual inspection process for their rental properties to go more smoothly.

Address signage is now required at the beginning of the driveway and on the unit.

• Home example: If the address is 123 Kahakai Boulevard, it must indicate “123” at the beginning of the driveway from the main street or road. It also needs to have “123” on the home.
• Apartment/duplex example: If the address is 44 Lala Road, Unit B, it must indicate “44” at the beginning of the driveway from the main street or road. It also needs to have “B” on the door or near the door of the unit.

More address signage information can be found here.

Smoke alarms must be present in all:

• Bedrooms.
• Hallways.
• Kitchens.
• Stairwells.
• Living rooms.
• Dining rooms.
• Common areas.

Landlords can review the full National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) Smoke Alarm Notice, including specific details about placement, on the U.S. Housing and Urban Development website under “NSPIRE Standard – Smoke Alarm.”

Carbon monoxide alarms are needed only if you have a:

• Gas stove.
• Attached enclosed garage.
• Gas water heater in the home.
• Fireplace.
• Other gas or wood-burning appliances.

In Section 8 rental units, at minimum landlords need to install a carbon monoxide detector/alarm in the hallway(s) near bedrooms.

You can review the full NSPIRE Carbon Monoxide Alarm Notice on the HUD website under “NSPIRE Standard – Carbon Monoxide Alarm.”

Unworking carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms must be fixed within 24 hours of your inspection. Failure to do so will result in Housing Agency Abating Payments. Recoup of payments during abatement is not possible.

Other helpful tips include:

• Always know your due date to fix items. Contact the County housing agency at sec8inspect@hawaiicounty.gov when you’ve fixed all items prior to the due date.
• Failure to contact the office before the due date will result in abatement of payments.
• Units must be kept up to Housing Quality Standards and NSPIRE. Full NSPIRE County housing inspections standards can be found here.

“By offering affordable rental(s) to our Hawai’i Island residents, you are part of the solution in providing clean, safe living to our communities and a place to call home,” the County housing agency said in its release.

For more information or with any questions, landlords can visit the County housing offices in Hilo, at 1990 Kinoʻole St., Suite 102, and Kona, located on the second floor at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B.

You also can email to sec8inspect@hawaiicounty.gov, call 808-959-4642 or click here.