1.8.5. Non-Scoring Items

Smoke Detectors and CO Alarm issues will continue to be non-scoring in keeping with the longstanding practice of not scoring smoke detector defects under the UPCS scoring methodology. HUD will not score smoke detector defects but will continue to use an asterisk (*) to denote identified smoke detector defects.

1. Call for Aid Cords (Deficiency # 1: Blocked or Cord not within 6” of the floor)

New Affirmative Requirements: In at least the first 12 months after the effective date of the final NSPIRE Rule, a designation to be determined will also be included as part of the property’s inspection results to indicate new affirmative requirements that were not scored. Standards needing more calibration through field testing, such as a minimum temperature standard, may not be scored for more than a year. In at least the initial year of NSPIRE, HUD will also provide two scores: one that shows the possible score if all new affirmative requirements were scored and the official score for that inspection. These affirmative requirements became scoring as of 10/1/2026.

1. Missing Guardrails
2. All fire-labeled door defects
3. All guardrail defects
4. Electrical – GFCI “An unprotected outlet is present within 6 feet of a water source.”
5. HVAC – “The inspection date is on or between October 1 and March 31, and the permanently installed heating source is working, and the interior temperature is 64 to 67.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. HVAC – The inspection date is on or between October 1 and March 31, and the permanently installed heating source is not working, or the permanently installed heating source is working, and the interior temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. HVAC: “The inspection date is on or between April 1 and September 30 and a permanently installed heating source is damaged, inoperable, missing, or not installed.”
8. Interior Lighting: “At least one (1) permanently installed light fixture is not present in the kitchen and bathroom.”
9. Minimum Electrical and Lighting: “At least two (2) working outlets are not present within each habitable room OR At least one (1) working outlet and one (1) permanently installed light fixture is not present within each habitable room.”

!A deficiency that is “Non-Scoring” is still a deficiency and will still require repairs. Also, “Non-Scoring” designations have no impact on non-REAC inspections.