A Good Place to Live - Housing Quality Standards
1. Living Room

The Living Room Must Have:

Ceiling
A ceiling that is in good condition
.

* NOT acceptable are large cracks or holes that allow drafts, severe bulging, large amounts of loose or falling surface materials such as plaster.

Walls
Walls that are in good condition.

* NOT acceptable are large cracks or holes that allow drafts, severe bulging or leaning, large amounts of loose or falling surface material such as plaster.

Electricity
At least two electric outlets, or one outlet and one permanent overhead light fixture.

* Count as one outlet.
* Do not count table or floor lamps, ceiling lamps plugged into a socket, and extension cords; they are not permanent.

* NOT acceptable are broken or frayed wiring, light fixtures hanging from wires with no firm support (such as a chain), missing cover plates on switches or outlets, badly cracked outlets.

Floor
A floor that is in good condition.

*Not acceptable are large cracks or holes, missing or warped floor boards or covering that could cause someone to trip.

Window
At least one window. Every window must be in good condition.

* NOT acceptable are windows with badly cracked, broken or missing panes, and windows that do not shut or, when shut, do not keep out the weather.

Lock
A lock that works on all windows and doors that can be reached from the outside, a common public hallway, a fire escape, porch or other outside place that can be reached from the ground. A window that cannot be opened is acceptable.

Paint
* A minimal peeling or chipping paint if you have children under the age of six and the house or apartment was built before 1978.

You Should Also Think About:
* The types of locks on windows or doors.
--- are they safe and secure?
--- have windows that you might like to open been nailed shut?
* The condition of the windows.
--- are there small cracks in the panes?
* The amount of weatherization around the doors and windows.
--- are there storm windows?
--- is there weatherstripping? If you pay your own utilities, this may be important.
* The location of electric outlets and light fixtures.
* The condition of paint and wallpaper
--- are they worn, faded, or dirty
* The condition of the floor.
--- is it scratched and worn?

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