How Long After Section 8 Inspection Can I Move In? Find the Best Info
How long after a Section 8 inspection can you move in? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The answer to that question can be answered in many different ways. If you have been living with your landlord and their family for the past year or so, chances are your landlord will wait until everything has “settled down”.
The amount of time it takes between the Section 8 inspection and the day you move in depends on a number of factors, including the state you live in, whether or not your apartment is already occupied by another tenant, and whether or not the apartment needs any work done before it can accommodate you.

In order to move into a Section 8 apartment, you’ll need to get a housing voucher, then find an apartment that accepts Section 8 vouchers. Once you’ve found the right place and put in your application, your landlord will send in the paperwork to get your inspection.
You’ll need to be at home on the day of the inspection so that they can check out your place and make sure it meets their standards. The inspector will look at things like:
- The condition of the walls, ceilings, and floors
- Whether there are enough beds for everyone
- The safety of outlets and windows
- Whether any appliances meet safety codes
Section 8 Inspection Process
- First, a representative of the PHA will walk through the house with you to do an initial inspection. You need to tell the inspector about any problems with your house that may affect your health or safety or make the unit unsuitable for occupancy, such as lead paint hazards, peeling paint, plumbing problems, heating problems, electrical hazards, stairway and porch defects and pests (such as rats or mice).
- Second, if there are any repairs needed to correct health and safety issues or to make the unit ready for occupancy, you will be required to sign a work order. The work order is a contract between you and the PHA. It lists the work that needs to be done and gives you 90 days in which to complete it. If you have signed a work order and fail to complete the repairs in a timely manner, you are in violation of your lease. The PHA can file an eviction action against you for violating your lease.
Once the inspection is done, it can take up to 2 weeks for the results to come back. If your landlord passes the inspection, you’ll get a Certificate of Inspection and Authorization Letter from the Housing Authority. You can then use those documents to sign a lease and move into your new home.
You might also call your local section 8 office and see if they have any further information for you.
Section 8 Inspection Requirements
When tenants move in, landlords are required to schedule a Section 8 inspection of the property within 30 days. This is to ensure that the property meets all the requirements for Section 8 housing. The landlord or their agent must be present for the inspection.
Inspections are conducted by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). The PHA will inspect plumbing, electricity, and other features of the property to ensure they meet federal guidelines. If they do not meet the guidelines, the landlord will be given a list of items which must be repaired before the inspection can be passed.
The following items must be inspected:
- All plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen
- All electrical outlets
- Heating and cooling systems
- The entire unit including windows and doors.