Guidelines to Request a Technical Review

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Click on the following links to access specific information about technical reviews:

Introduction

Multifamily property owners/agents (POAs) and Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have the option to appeal a physical inspection score if they believe that the inspection was not conducted in accordance with the Public and Indian Housing Real Estate Assessment Center (PIH-REAC) Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) inspection protocol or feel that certain inspection data may have been recorded in error that, if corrected, will result in an improvement in the property's overall score.

There are two processes available to challenge a physical inspection score: technical reviews and database adjustments. The qualifications for technical reviews and database adjustments are different.

PIH-REAC has provided technical review guidelines in the Federal Register at 24 CFR Part 200.857 and 24 CFR Part 902.68. Guidelines for requesting a database adjustment are available online by clicking here . Back to top

What is a Technical Review?
A technical review may be requested if, following review of the physical inspection results and score, an objectively verifiable and material error(s) occurred in the inspection that, if corrected, will result in an improvement in the property's overall score.

For example, PIH-REAC may grant a technical review for inspections in which the inspector recorded a deficiency that did not exist at the time of the inspection. Please see the following sections for specific technical review criteria and examples. Back to top

What Qualifies for a Technical Review?
Only objectively verifiable, material errors will be considered for a technical review. Material errors are those that exhibit specific characteristics and meet specific thresholds. The three types of material errors are:

• Building Data Errors- The inspection includes the wrong building or a building that is not owned by the property.
• Unit Count Errors- The total number of units considered in scoring is incorrect as reported at the time of the inspection.
• Non-Existent Deficiency Errors- The inspection cites a deficiency that did not exist at the time of the inspection.
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What Does NOT Qualify for a Technical Review?
PIH-REAC will not consider the following for a technical review:

• disagreements over the severity of a defect, such as deficiencies rated Level 3 that the property owner thinks should be rated Level 1; or
• deficiencies that were repaired or corrected during or after the inspection.

Technical reviews do not apply to circumstances addressed by the database adjustment process. Requests for database adjustments must be submitted separately from requests for technical reviews. The following issues should be forwarded separately as a database adjustment request:

• Local conditions and exceptions - inconsistencies between local code requirements and PIH-REAC physical inspection protocol;
• Ownership issues - items the property owner or agent does not own and is not responsible for maintaining that were captured and scored during the inspection, and the POA/PHA has notified the proper authorities regarding the deficient structure;
• Adverse conditions beyond the owner's control - deficiencies that were caused by circumstances beyond the owner's control, such as damage from a natural disaster or third party; and
• Modernization work in progress - property undergoing modernization work/construction. Back to top
  
  

What are the Steps for Submitting a Technical Review?
A POA/PHA can initiate the technical review process by notifying PIH-REAC in writing within the appropriate time period and supplying reasonable evidence. Please read the following steps prior to submitting a technical review.

Timeline for Submittal	1. Submission requirements differ for each housing program:
	Public Housing - PHAs must submit a request for a technical review within 15 days following PIH-REAC's submission of the physical inspection report to the PHA.
	Multifamily Housing- POAs must submit a request for a technical review within 30 days following REAC's submission of the physical inspection report to the owner of the Multifamily Housing property.
	REAC is not required to review a technical review request after the specified number of days has expired.

What to Include

2. Include all property identification, i.e. property name, property identification number, the Inspection Summary Report number, and specific information relevant to your request. Address general comments about the UPCS inspection protocol, as well as requests for database adjustment, in separate correspondence. 3. Include all location information (inspectable area, building number, unit number, etc.) for each deficiency presented in the request for review.

Documenting your Request

4. All requests for technical review must include documentation to sufficiently support the request. Appropriate documentation must be objectively verifiable and includes one or a combination of the following: Written Material- Letters from objective sources, such as a local fire marshal or building code official, are considered to be appropriate documentation. These documents should detail the exact location of the variance (such as building address and unit number). Photographs- All photographs must clearly show the element(s) in question, and accurately reflect the inspectable area and item. Label each photograph with the date and location. Please be aware that many facsimiles are unclear, difficult for the reviewer to assess as documentation, and may be rejected as a result. Videos- As with photographs, videos must accurately reflect the entire inspectable area or item. All videos should include the date and specific location.

Where to Send your Request	5. Be sure to send the information and documentation for a technical review to the following address:
	Attn: PASS Technical Reviews HUD/PIH/REAC 550 12th Street S.W. Suite 100 Washington, DC 20410

What Can Be Expected in Response?
If the PIH-REAC evaluation determines that an objectively verifiable and material error(s) has been reasonably documented by the POA/PHA and, if corrected, would result in a significant improvement in the property's overall score, the PIH-REAC shall take one or a combination of the following actions:

• Schedule a new inspection;
• Correct the physical inspection report;
• Issue a corrected physical condition score; or
• Issue a corrected Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) score.
  

A notification letter will be sent to the POA/PHA explaining what action, if any, has occurred and why the technical review is accepted or denied.

A technical review that changes a physical inspection score may change the PHAS score. The PHAS score is not considered final until all changes have been completed. Back to top

View a Standard Submisson Format
All POAs/PHAs are encouraged to use the standardized format, outlining the data required for a technical review, to expedite the process. View the standardized format. Back to top

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