Dalton details inspection pilot, virtual reviews, and concerns with Intro 98
Dalton explains the pilot uses provider inspections for most units and HRA inspectors for difficult units, with virtual re-inspections via WhatsApp or FaceTime. She warns Intro 98 as drafted could limit flexibility, increase burden, and require more HRA inspectors.
This process allows for inspections to be conducted by providers in most instances and HRA inspectors for more challenging units.
We are also exploring the establishment of a pre-qualified list of third-party inspectors to allow approved organizations to inspect and approve vacant apartments prior to occupancy for all newly constructed buildings.
Like the proposed legislation, our approach now distinguishes between minor and major repairs, and our expedited re-inspection process offers an opportunity to promptly remedy minor faults and relay that evidence to HRA of the fix.
Landlords may send photos documenting that the failures have been addressed and that the unit now meets habitability standards.
Virtual inspections have proven to be a valuable tool in both maintaining agency safety and habitability standards,
and from an efficiency perspective.
HRA uses virtual inspections and or uses virtual inspections for re-inspection using WhatsApp or FaceTime to help streamline the process further.
We will be ready to roll out these process improvements system-wide in the first quarter of next year.
While unintended, if adopted as drafted, this bill would limit our flexibility, increase burden and time to process, and require the addition of many more HRA inspectors and inspections.
We are committed to responsible and expedited approval, move in timeliness for CityFAPS clients, and we think the current process well balances the joint goals of processing quickly and ensuring safe housing for New Yorkers we serve.
We look forward to the discussion of the proposed legislation and changes we've made to the process and hope they meet the underlying goals of the proposed legislation.