Looking for my landlords in Portsmouth Virginia, quick question

[Robert Rodriguez]

Trying to find out if anyone knows of an inspection that needs to take place by the Housing Authority, in the city of Portsmouth Virginia even if you do not plan to rent to Section 8?  I was informed by someone looking to invest in the area that, if you own an investment property in Portsmouth it must be inspected by housing authority before you can move any tenants into the property. 

[Patti Robertson]

Guys - let me shed some lights.  Portsmouth requires a rental inspection that is completely separate from SEC 8.  It is $40, must be paid in advance, and you call the Permit and Inspections office to schedule it.  They will let you have a credit balance so you don't have to wait for them to receive your funds in order to schedule an inspection.  Like in every city, if you pass the rental inspection the first time, you are eligible for a 4 year exemption. If you fail and require a reinspection, you are required to have another inspection in a year, irregardless of whether or not your tenant moves.  These are annual inspections, and do not  ride with your tenant's leases.

If you want to SEC 8, you then have to get a second, different, inspection from SEC 8.  The Housing Authority won't schedule their inspection until you provide them with a copy of the pass slip saying you already passed the city inspection.

Don't even get me started on Portsmouth!