Free CSI-HQS Practice Questions

Question 1

An inspector using HUD-52580-A records these electrical features: living room-one duplex receptacle and a floor lamp; kitchen-one receptacle and a permanent ceiling light; bedroom-two separate wall outlets; bathroom-a permanent ceiling light. All listed equipment works safely, and no other outlets or light fixtures are present. Which room falls short of the electrical minimum?

Accepted Answer

Living room

Answer

Bathroom

Answer

Bedroom

Answer

Kitchen

Question 2

All required smoke alarms in a voucher unit sound when tested during an October 2026 inspection. Their locations are correct, but each is powered only by a replaceable 9-volt battery. The owner promises annual battery changes and notes that the PHA still uses HQS. The inspector should explain that:

Accepted Answer

Hardwired alarms or alarms with sealed 10-year batteries are required.

Answer

The alarms comply if annual battery replacement is documented in the maintenance records.

Answer

Only hardwired replacements comply; battery-powered smoke alarms are no longer permitted in voucher units.

Answer

The existing alarms remain acceptable until the PHA implements NSPIRE inspection standards.

Question 3

Electricity is off at a voucher unit scheduled for inspection. The owner says the family failed to pay its bill; the family says electricity is included in rent. Before assigning responsibility for the interruption, where should the inspector look for the controlling allocation?

Accepted Answer

The executed lease and HAP contract, including approved changes to the utility allocation.

Answer

The utility account records, because the named account holder determines responsibility under the lease.

Answer

The utility allowance schedule, because an electricity allowance establishes this unit's payment obligation.

Answer

The inspection history of neighboring units, because the property's usual arrangement controls this tenancy.

Question 4

A gas water heater has been replaced with an electric model in a unit subject to legacy HQS. The wiring is safe, hot water is available, and the old combustion flue has been removed. A working temperature-pressure relief valve is installed, but its discharge opening has no pipe attached. Which correction remains necessary?

Accepted Answer

Add a correctly directed discharge line; no combustion flue is needed.

Answer

Restore the combustion flue; the relief valve needs no discharge line.

Answer

Restore the combustion flue and add a correctly directed relief discharge line.

Answer

Neither addition is needed because electric heating removes both safety requirements.

Question 5

A resident with a documented mobility disability calls to request that routine inspections take place after 2 p.m. She says the change is disability-related, but neither the conversation nor the PHA's records explain why the time matters. What additional information may the PHA seek when considering this oral request?

Accepted Answer

A limited explanation of the disability-related need for afternoon inspections, without re-verifying the documented disability.

Answer

Nothing further, because the documented disability by itself establishes the need for the resident's requested afternoon schedule.

Answer

Updated clinical records confirming the diagnosis and severity, together with a physician's recommendation for afternoon inspections.

Answer

An accommodation form signed by a medical provider, which must be submitted before the oral request is considered.

Question 6

A lead-clearance report dated October 2026 records no visible dust or debris after paint stabilization in a tenant-based voucher unit. Single-surface dust-wipe results are: floor, 8 µg/ft²; interior window sill, 25 µg/ft²; window trough, 70 µg/ft². Under HUD's federal clearance requirements, how should these results be handled?

Accepted Answer

Reclean and retest the floor area represented by its sample.

Answer

Accept clearance; all three results are below their respective federal clearance limits.

Answer

Reclean and retest the window trough because it has the highest numerical result.

Answer

Reclean every sampled surface until all laboratory results show no detectable lead.

Question 7

An inspection dashboard shows that 87% of units already under HAP passed their periodic HQS inspection on the first visit. The director takes this as evidence of satisfactory SEMAP performance for HQS enforcement. Which file review would actually test that conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Whether failed units had timely verified repairs or required enforcement when repair deadlines were missed.

Answer

Whether newly leased units met the initial inspection requirements for the start of their assisted occupancy.

Answer

Whether periodic inspections occurred on schedule and their dates were entered promptly into the reporting system.

Answer

Whether supervisory reinspections covered enough recent work across a representative range of inspectors and neighborhoods.

Question 8

"The resident agreed to it," an owner tells an inspector applying legacy HQS. The owner supplied a working microwave in place of an oven and range but still furnishes ovens and ranges to unassisted tenants in the same building. Which explanation correctly applies the cooking-equipment exception?

Accepted Answer

Reject it; unassisted tenants in the building still receive owner-supplied ovens and ranges.

Answer

Accept the substitution; resident agreement is sufficient when the owner provides the microwave.

Answer

Reject the substitution; microwaves may replace tenant-supplied cooking appliances but never owner-supplied appliances.

Answer

Accept the substitution; working condition controls regardless of the cooking equipment in other units.

Question 9

On entering an occupied voucher unit, an inspector detects a strong gas odor near the boiler. The owner offers to have a contractor come the next morning. What takes priority over completing the inspection?

Accepted Answer

Direct occupants outside, then call 911 and the gas utility from a safe location.

Answer

Call emergency services beside the boiler and ask whether the occupants need to evacuate.

Answer

Move the inspection to other rooms while the owner arranges repair within 24 hours.

Answer

Locate the leaking connection, then ask the owner to isolate the affected gas line.

Question 10

Before the repair deadline, an owner submits dated, unit-identifiable photographs and video of a required exit after an obstructing cabinet was removed. The video shows the exit opening fully, and the resident confirms the repair. This was the unit's only failure. The PHA allows this verification method and finds the evidence conclusive. Must an inspector return before closing the finding?

Accepted Answer

No; document the verified correction and close the finding using the conclusive evidence.

Answer

Yes; any defect affecting emergency egress requires another on-site inspection before it can be closed.

Answer

Yes; the correction must also appear in the physical quality-control reinspection sample before closure.

Answer

No; the owner's submission alone requires closure, even without assessing whether the evidence proves correction.

Free CSI-HQS Practice Questions

Domain 1: Inspecting housing choice voucher units.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Domain 2: Conducting pre-inspection and inspection preparations and procedures.

Question 6

Question 7

Domain 3: Negotiation and arbitration with landlords and residents.

Question 8

Domain 4: Understanding the need for consistency and re-inspections.

Question 9

Domain 5: Determining the impact inspection outcomes have on their agency’s SEMAP score.

Question 10

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