RESALE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Resale Inspection Requirements

Original 21Mar88
Updated 17Aug07

1. GHI MINIMUM STANDARDS (Interiors)
   1. Interior walls and ceilings shall be clean and painted, paneled, or papered and in good condition. Peeling paint is not permitted.
   2. Holes in walls or ceilings must be patched and painted, including nail pops.
   3. All original trim, or a suitable replacement, if not strictly cosmetic shall be in place. Interior moldings, doors, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and door hardware shall be in place and in good condition.
   4. Stair handrails shall be securely fastened. and located according to code.
   5. Hardwood floors shall be free from surface defects and gaps and extend completely to walls with appropriate trim and floor finish.
   6. Floor underlayment shall be protected from water damage in kitchen and bathroom by adequate finish of floor surfaces in these rooms, including beneath appliances. Tiled floors shall be clean, free of cracks and holes, and be properly secured. Ceramic tile floors shall be fully grouted and complete; i.e., no missing or damaged pieces.
   7. All additions and alterations shall comply with all GHI rules and regulations and Prince George's County codes.
   8. All screens and glass shall be intact with no tears, cracks or holes.
   9. Shower head shall only be installed where walls over the tub have been properly waterproofed to a height of six (6) feet from the floor. Vinyl shower panel specified for water resistance and ceramic tile is acceptable. All grout joints, caulk joints, and seams must be well sealed, free of defects, and water tight.
   10. A working smoke detector shall be installed on or around the ceiling area of the second floor landing. If located on the ceiling, the smoke detector must be spaced a minimum of four (4) inches from any side wall. If located on the side wall, the top of the smoke detector must be a minimum of twelve (12) inches from the ceiling.
   11. All flammable materials must be removed from the attic.
   12. All rental garages shall be capable of storing an operable motor vehicle. All built-ins which are in poor condition or which interfere with this requirement must be removed.
   13. No condition in violation of health or safety shall be allowed, e.g., improperly ducted vent fan, improper guard rail detail on modified stairwell wall, water beds in frame or brick veneer homes, etc.
2. Non-original storm or screen doors must be in proper working condition. No holes in screening materials, glass intact, and door frame properly sealed or painted.
3. Missing and/or damaged entrance doors and doors to bedrooms and bathrooms, light fixtures not functioning properly, plumbing fixtures and door hardware neglected or abused by the member will have to be repaired or replaced.
4. Plumbing must comply with W.S.S.C. regulations. If the washing machine is not trapped and vented properly on the drain line, the condition must be corrected. If the home has the original double sink, the washer can drain into one of the sinks directly. Washing machines may not drain into the drain pipe beneath the sink; they must drain directly to the sewer main line. See standard GHI drawing for details.
5. Compliance is required with the National Electrical Code and Prince George's County amendments to that code. Illegal wiring will have to be corrected or removed.
6. Any structural changes made by a member without prior approval of GHI will have to be exposed for inspection. Such change must meet GHI standards or be brought into conformity with them.
7. Disappearing stairs in the frame homes shall be framed out to transfer any loads to the proper structural members.
8. Attics must be vacant of all personal belongings and all other material prior to settlement.
9. Exposed water piping in the crawl spaces and additional plumbing fixtures not insulated as part of the standard rehab program must be insulated to prevent freezing.
10. Door frames where doors have been removed must have the areas damaged by hinges and striker plates restored to original condition and painted.
11. Floor coverings other than hardwood must be in good condition without excess wear. All edges of wall-to-wall carpeting must be adequately secured. Make a note of existing carpeting.
12. Curtain rods must be securely in place or the hardware removed and holes properly filled.
13. All light fixtures must be in place and operable, or blank plates must cover all unused fixture boxes. Wires shall not be left hanging.
14. Fireplace installations shall be in accordance with NFPA regulations, and they must be listed by GHI for annual inspection and cleaning.
15. GHI MINIMUM MAINTENANCE STANDARDS (Exterior)
    1. All exterior wall surfaces shall be uniformly painted with clean edges. All chipping, cracking, or peeling shall be corrected immediately.
    2. All exterior wood surfaces; i.e., doors and trim shall be properly sealed and protected from moisture damage.
    3. Lawns which have been worn away by pedestrian traffic, abuse, or neglect shall be resown and lightly covered with straw in order to prevent erosion and drainage problems. Some areas may require ground cover other than grass, as directed by GHI.
    4. All shrubs, hedges, and plantings shall be trimmed in an orderly manner.
    5. Yard areas shall be free of trash and neat in appearance.
    6. Yard swales should not be blocked in any manner. Ponding water and improper grade conditions will be corrected by GHI unless caused by member abuse, neglect, or alterations.
16. All fences must be in compliance with GHI fence and yard line regulations. All wire fences must be as approved, must be taut, have top rails, post caps, posts plumb and secure and be free of damage. Wood fences must be of the approved type, all posts and rails secure, and free from damage or rot. All fences must be two (2) feet from the parking lot and twelve (12) inches from all common sidewalks. All fenced areas must be accessible from the cornmon area or walk by at least (1) non-locking gate.
17. Compost piles must be removed at the time of resale.
18. Wood piles must be kept off the ground by 18" and stacked in an orderly fashion.
19. All privacy screens must conform to GHI rules & regulations, unless approved as an exception by the Board. Posts must be upright and secure, fencing and rails in good condition. Exposed posts and rails, if applicable, must face the adjacent neighbor. Double fence conditions must be corrected by removing one fence or the other.
20. All storage sheds must comply with GHI regulations at resale. All sheds, including floor and base, must be in good condition, free from rust or rot and damage free. Size, shape, and placement must conform to GHI regulations. Color must harmonize with the surrounding area. Only one (1) storage shed is allowed.
21. All antennas must be securely fastened to the building in the approved manner or removed. Antennas fixed to chimneys are not permitted.
22. Pet areas must be clean and sanitary. Home or yard damage caused by pets must be repaired. Fenced pet areas, hutches, or other fixed pet enclosures must be removed and the surrounding area restored, unless written permission is obtained from the purchaser.
23. All exterior painting and trim painting must be with approved colors, unless written approval has been obtained. Paint on vinyl siding must be removed. Vinyl siding damaged by member improvements must be replaced.
24. Additions must be maintained to GHI minimum maintenance standards. Roofs, siding, windows, doors, must be in good condition. Gutters, downspouts and splash blocks are required on all additions, and in good condition, properly mounted and sloped.
25. Prince George's County Housing Code
    1. Both house and yard must be clean, sanitary, free of accumulation of rubbish or garbage, free of noxious weeds, or conditions which will harbor insects or rodents.
    2. Stairs and walkways must be clear of permanent obstructions. Likewise, all routes of exit from the unit must be clear of obstructions.
    3. All exterior walls and other weather-exposed surfaces must be weathertight. All exterior surfaces must be impervious to weather by means of a suitable coating.
    4. Each set of stairs over two (2) risers high shall have handrails located as required by the Building Code. Every porch which is more than two (2) risers high shall have handrails.
    5. Every window shall be glazed, tight, and openable, except fixed pane windows.
    6. Every door shall fit tight in its frame and shall be easily openable. Each door available as an exit shall be capable of being opened from the inside, easily and without a key.
    7. The addition of living space at GHI must include sufficient heat to comply with the County Housing Code.
    8. The design, layout and construction of additions shall be in accordance with the County Housing Code. Every bathroom shall have adequate light and ventilation. Other rooms must have the proper light and ventilation as specified.
26. All items noted which are GHI Maintenance responsibility are automatically reported to the Maintenance Department for correction.
27. Any condition specifically noted in the files which violates GHI rules and regulations will be corrected.
28. The GHI member handbook must be available for collection at the initial resale inspection or a fine will be charged.
29. The service side must incorporate some method of screening trash cans from view. If the original trash closet is inoperable, then evergreen shrubs or a man-made screen of approved design may alternately be used to screen trash cans from view. Also, a trash can container may be used if properly constructed and mounted.
30. Both service side and garden side entrances must be marked with the unit address. Garden side additions with front facing entries must be so marked.
31. Items not covered by GHI resale inspection: ranges/ovens, range hoods, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dish washers, garbage disposals and other major appliances. GHI does not move appliances, furniture, wall hangings, etc. in order to check condition of walls, floors, ceiling, receptacles, plumbing, or electrical hook-ups, and therefore cannot be responsible for hidden or latent defects. If such defects are suspected, selling member is responsible to expose concealed area for inspection before inspection report is issued.