Fillable checklist

HOA Inspection Checklist: Common Areas and Unit Exterior (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable HOA walk for common areas, building exterior, amenities, and unit-exterior rules. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 7 sections · 50 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against InterNACHI, HUD NSPIRE, ASHI, and CPSC · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a board or manager visual walk of a US HOA or condo association: common areas, building exterior from the ground, amenities, and unit-exterior rule items (paint, parking, trash). It is not a reserve study, not a buyer unit walk, and not legal advice. Mark N/A on stations this community does not have.

  • 7 sections
  • 50 checks
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Form details

Association

This is a visual worksheet for a board member, community manager, or vendor. It is not a licensed home-inspection report, not a reserve study, not an engineering letter, and not legal advice. InterNACHI SOP applies to four or fewer dwelling units and does not require inspecting common elements. HUD NSPIRE is written for HUD-assisted housing, not private associations. Recorded CC&Rs and state HOA statutes control what the association may require.

10 fields
Association

A single-family HOA walk is mostly streets, parks, and unit exteriors. A condo walk adds halls, stairs, and elevators. Mark whole stations N/A if that building type is not present.

Example: Buildings A-C and the clubhouse lot. Write the route so the next walk can repeat it.

Example: all street-facing units on Oak, or a 10-unit sample. This is not a unit-interior inspection.

Dry, raining, or recent heavy rain. Ponding and roof stains read differently after a dry week.

Inspection station

Grounds, walks, and parking

Walk the pedestrian routes and lots the association maintains. InterNACHI 3.2 inspects adjacent walkways, driveways, stairs, and grading that can wet the building. HUD NSPIRE sidewalk, parking, lighting, and litter standards are a second visual list for HUD-assisted housing. Do not treat HUD measurements as a private HOA Pass line. Mark N/A on a community with no common lot.

10 items
Grounds, walks, and parking

Sidewalks, ramps, and paths are open and passable

HUD NSPIRE Sidewalk, Walkway, and Ramp: look for a blocked or impassable route, including overgrown plants. InterNACHI 3.2 inspects adjacent walkways. Record the location of any blockage in Notes.

Sidewalks, ramps, and paths are open and passable: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Walk and step surfaces: no trip offset, loose tread, or missing section you can see

InterNACHI 3.2 inspects walkways, stairs, steps, stoops, and ramps. InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 89: missing, damaged, or loose walks and steps, and a missing or loose handrail. This form does not set a single crack-width Pass number.

Walk and step surfaces: no trip offset, loose tread, or missing section you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common parking pavement: no pothole or broken edge that is a trip or vehicle hazard

HUD NSPIRE Parking Lot flags, on assisted housing, any one pothole 4 inches deep and 1 square foot or greater. Private HOAs are not bound by that number. Record any hole that can catch a tire or a walker. HUD parking does not include parking garages.

Common parking pavement: no pothole or broken edge that is a trip or vehicle hazard: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Parking striping, wheel stops, and reserved spaces readable and in place

HUD NSPIRE lists pavement, pavers, wheel stops, striping, and gravel as parking components. Compare reserved and accessible spaces to the association map and posted signs, not to a federal HOA rule.

Parking striping, wheel stops, and reserved spaces readable and in place: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

No standing water on walks or lots that blocks use

InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4: surface drainage where it may wet the building. HUD NSPIRE Parking Lot ponding on assisted housing is more than 3 inches of water and 5 percent or more of the lot unusable. Do not invent that pair as a private HOA Pass/Fail. Note any pond at a building wall.

No standing water on walks or lots that blocks use: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Grade, erosion, and retaining walls near buildings: soil falling away from walls, not toward them

InterNACHI 3.2: vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls, and grading where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture. ASHI 4 is the same idea. Do not enter a failing wall. This is not a geotechnical report.

Grade, erosion, and retaining walls near buildings: soil falling away from walls, not toward them: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Plants not damaging walls or roofs and not blocking walks or sight lines

InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4: vegetation that can wet or damage the building. InterNACHI Healthy Homes Site 4: plants that penetrate a wall, gutter, or roof, or that hide a walk hazard. HUD sidewalk text also flags overgrown plants as a blockage.

Plants not damaging walls or roofs and not blocking walks or sight lines: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Permanently installed walk, entry, and lot lights: present, secure, not obviously dead

HUD NSPIRE Lighting Exterior: a fixed fixture that is damaged, inoperable, missing, or not secure. On a daylight walk you may only be able to check damage, missing parts, and loose mounts. InterNACHI is not required to inspect exterior accent lighting.

Permanently installed walk, entry, and lot lights: present, secure, not obviously dead: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Community fences and gates that control access: upright, latches work

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Site 1: damaged, leaning, or non-functional fence or gate. InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4 do not require inspecting fences. Still walk pool, playground, and utility gates the association maintains. Decorative perimeter fence can be N/A if the board does not treat it as a safety barrier.

Community fences and gates that control access: upright, latches work: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common grounds free of dumped trash, furniture, or piled debris

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Site 6 records litter. HUD NSPIRE Litter on assisted housing uses 10 or more small items in a 10-by-10-foot undesignated area, or any discarded large item. Private HOAs are not bound by that count. Record dumped furniture and overflowing common cans.

Common grounds free of dumped trash, furniture, or piled debris: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Building exterior

Walk each association-maintained building from the ground. InterNACHI 3.1 inspects roof covering, gutters, downspouts, and penetrations from ground level or the eaves. InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4 inspect wall covering, eaves, doors, flashing, walkways, stairs, decks, railings, and grade. Do not walk a roof. Do not estimate remaining life. That is a reserve study.

11 items
Building exterior

Exterior wall covering: type noted, no open failure on the faces you walked

InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4: inspect and describe the type of exterior wall-covering materials. Look for missing siding, failed stucco, or open joints. You are not required to inspect items not visible from the ground.

Exterior wall covering: type noted, no open failure on the faces you walked: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Paint, stain, or finish on association walls: intact enough to protect the substrate you can see

InterNACHI Healthy Homes building-exterior paint items look for peeling or deteriorated paint. InterNACHI SOP 2.2 is not required to deal with aesthetic or cosmetic defects. Mark Needs work for peeling that exposes wood or for failed coating the association maintains. Unit-owner paint belongs on the compliance station.

Paint, stain, or finish on association walls: intact enough to protect the substrate you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Eaves, soffits, and fascia accessible from the ground: attached, no open rot or nest damage you can see

InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4 inspect eaves, soffits, and fascias from ground level. Soft, stained, or hanging boards are Needs work. Do not climb.

Eaves, soffits, and fascia accessible from the ground: attached, no open rot or nest damage you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

A representative number of exterior windows from the ground: glass intact, no failed frames you can see

InterNACHI 3.2: a representative number of windows. Do not force a sash from outside. Fogged insulated glass is a note if obvious. InterNACHI is not required to determine the integrity of thermal seals.

A representative number of exterior windows from the ground: glass intact, no failed frames you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common entry doors and association exterior doors: operate, latch, weatherstrip present

InterNACHI 3.2 inspects all exterior doors. ASHI 4 inspects exterior doors. A common door that does not latch, or that is blocked, is Needs work. InterNACHI is not required to inspect intercoms or security systems.

Common entry doors and association exterior doors: operate, latch, weatherstrip present: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Visible flashing and trim: in place at corners, openings, and wall-roof joints you can see

InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4 inspect flashing and trim. InterNACHI is not required to inspect flashing that is not visible from the ground. Missing kick-out or open head flashing you can see is Needs work.

Visible flashing and trim: in place at corners, openings, and wall-roof joints you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Roof covering from the ground or eaves: type noted, no obvious missing material

InterNACHI 3.1: inspect roof-covering materials from ground level or the eaves and describe the type. Do not walk the roof. InterNACHI is not required to predict service life or confirm fastening. Binoculars from grade are enough for this walk.

Roof covering from the ground or eaves: type noted, no obvious missing material: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Gutters and downspouts you can see: attached, outlets clear, discharge away from walls

InterNACHI 3.1 inspects gutters and downspouts. ASHI roofing inspects roof drainage systems. A downspout dumping at a foundation is Needs work. InterNACHI is not required to inspect underground downspout pipes.

Gutters and downspouts you can see: attached, outlets clear, discharge away from walls: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

No sign of an active roof leak on the faces or soffits you can see

InterNACHI 3.1: report observed indications of active roof leaks. Fresh stains, active drip, or wet insulation at an eave are Needs work. A dry historic stain can be a note. This is not a water test.

No sign of an active roof leak on the faces or soffits you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Association decks, balconies, stairs, and railings: secure, no improper baluster spacing you can see

InterNACHI 3.2 inspects stairs, porches, decks, balconies, railings, guards, and handrails, and requires reporting improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles, and rails. ASHI 4 inspects attached decks, balconies, stoops, and railings. Do not invent a measured gap Pass/Fail on this form. A loose or missing guard is Needs work.

Association decks, balconies, stairs, and railings: secure, no improper baluster spacing you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Visible foundation and wood near soil: no active seepage or wood in contact with soil you can see

InterNACHI 3.3: report wood in contact with or near soil, and observed indications of active water penetration. This is a ground-level look, not a crawl-space inspection. Mark N/A if no foundation is visible.

Visible foundation and wood near soil: no active seepage or wood in contact with soil you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Common-area interiors

Walk unlocked shared interiors the association maintains: lobby, corridors, stairs, trash rooms, and elevators if present. InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas (items 82 to 102) is written for multi-home sites. InterNACHI SOP 2.2 and the InterNACHI condo clause do not require a home inspector to inspect common areas. ASHI excludes common elements in condominiums. You are the association, so walk them. Mark N/A on a single-family street HOA with no shared interior.

11 items
Common-area interiors

Lobbies, corridors, and shared rooms: walking surface usable, no active leak in the space

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas covers multi-home shared rooms. InterNACHI 3.10 inspects floors, walls, and ceilings in the inspected property. Record standing water, a failed entry, or a ceiling leak. Do not inspect intercoms or security systems.

Lobbies, corridors, and shared rooms: walking surface usable, no active leak in the space: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common ceilings: no buckling, large hole, or active water stain you can see

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 90 to 93: ceiling buckling, holes, peeling paint, and water stains. Those items use HUD-style area sizes. Do not treat 2 square feet as a private HOA law. Any active stain or failed ceiling board is Needs work.

Common ceilings: no buckling, large hole, or active water stain you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common floors and coverings: no trip, soft spot, or failed covering you can see

InterNACHI 3.10 inspects floors. InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 96 to 101: floor buckling, damaged covering, missing tile, and floor water damage. InterNACHI SOP is not required to inspect floor coverings as finish. A torn edge that is a trip is still Needs work.

Common floors and coverings: no trip, soft spot, or failed covering you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common walls: no open damage or large area of failed paint you can see

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 99: peeling or deteriorated paint. InterNACHI SOP 2.2 is not required to inspect paint as a finish treatment. Mark Needs work for failed coating the association maintains or for a hole that is a hazard.

Common walls: no open damage or large area of failed paint you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Interior stairs, handrails, and guards: secure, path clear, no improper baluster spacing you can see

InterNACHI 3.10 inspects stairs, steps, landings, and railings, and requires reporting improper spacing between balusters, spindles, and rails. InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 89 covers damaged walks and a missing or loose handrail. Keep exits clear.

Interior stairs, handrails, and guards: secure, path clear, no improper baluster spacing you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Elevators, if present: cab arrives, doors open and close, floor looks level

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 82: elevators and elevator equipment work, or none present. InterNACHI 3.10 and ASHI do not require inspecting elevators. This is a rider visual only. Do not open a machine room. Mark N/A if the community has no elevator.

Elevators, if present: cab arrives, doors open and close, floor looks level: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common-area smoke detectors present where you walked, and one tested if safe to do so

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 87: test one smoke detector per inspected common area. Do not disable a building fire-alarm system. If detectors are part of a monitored panel, record the panel status and last tag instead of pressing a unit button.

Common-area smoke detectors present where you walked, and one tested if safe to do so: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common-area carbon monoxide detectors present where fuel equipment or an attached garage exists

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 88: test one CO detector per inspected common area, or record that none is present. Mark N/A on an all-electric building with no attached garage and no fuel equipment in the shared space.

Common-area carbon monoxide detectors present where fuel equipment or an attached garage exists: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Common-area outlets and covers: no missing plate or exposed wiring you can see

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 86: missing cover plates and exposed wiring. InterNACHI 3.7 reports deficiencies in the integrity of visible conductors. Do not open panels. A missing plate or hanging cable is Needs work.

Common-area outlets and covers: no missing plate or exposed wiring you can see: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Trash rooms, chutes, and common containers: covers in place, no overflow on the floor

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 85: trash on the floor and missing or damaged chute or container covers. A chute that will not self-close is Needs work. Mark N/A if trash is only at outdoor corrals already walked on Grounds.

Trash rooms, chutes, and common containers: covers in place, no overflow on the floor: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Exit signs visible and exit paths clear of stored items

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas 83: exit signs missing, broken, or not visible. InterNACHI Healthy Homes also asks that exits stay clear of furniture and clutter. This is not a fire-marshal inspection. Local fire codes vary by state and occupancy.

Exit signs visible and exit paths clear of stored items: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Amenities

Walk association amenities you can reach safely. InterNACHI SOP 3.2 and ASHI 4 do not require inspecting recreational facilities, pools, or playgrounds. InterNACHI Pool SOP and CPSC Pub 362 are the visual list when a pool or spa is present. CPSC barrier numbers are guidelines, not a federal mandate. Mark N/A on each amenity this community does not have.

10 items
Amenities

Pool or spa barrier surrounds the water and is at least 48 inches above grade on the walk side

CPSC Pub 362: the top of the barrier should be at least 48 inches above grade measured on the exterior side. CPSC says this is not a mandatory federal standard. Some cities require 60 inches. InterNACHI Pool SOP: inspect the types of safety barriers and report absence or deficiencies. Mark N/A if there is no pool or spa.

Pool or spa barrier surrounds the water and is at least 48 inches above grade on the walk side: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Pool pedestrian gates open away from the water and self-close and self-latch

CPSC Pub 362: gates should open out from the pool and should be self-closing and self-latching. If the latch release is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, CPSC wants it at least 3 inches below the top on the pool side, with no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch. Test the gate from the walk. Do not prop it open.

Pool pedestrian gates open away from the water and self-close and self-latch: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Barrier openings and under-fence gaps will not pass a 4-inch sphere, and the fence is not climbable from the walk

CPSC Pub 362: openings should not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. Bottom clearance should be no more than 4 inches on a solid surface, 2 inches on grass or pebbles, and 1 inch for removable mesh. Horizontal members less than 45 inches apart should face the pool side. This is a visual check, not a lab test.

Barrier openings and under-fence gaps will not pass a 4-inch sphere, and the fence is not climbable from the walk: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Pool deck and walking surfaces: intact, drains open, no standing trip hazard

InterNACHI Pool SOP: inspect adjacent decks and walking surfaces. InterNACHI Pool SOP does not require entering the water or walking surfaces that look unsafe. Loose coping or a heaved deck is Needs work.

Pool deck and walking surfaces: intact, drains open, no standing trip hazard: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Pool or spa water level looks normal and interior surfaces, steps, and rails you can see are intact

InterNACHI Pool SOP: inspect water level and pool interior surfaces, tiles, coping, steps, handrails, and ladders, and report inadequate water levels. Do not enter the water. Do not test chemistry. A single blockable main drain, if you can see it, is Needs work under that SOP.

Pool or spa water level looks normal and interior surfaces, steps, and rails you can see are intact: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Pool equipment area: pumps and filters visible, covers on, GFCI or disconnect present if you can see it

InterNACHI Pool SOP: inspect pumps, filters, heaters, electrical components, and GFCI, and report a pump that lacks bonding or a GFCI that fails. Do not operate winterized equipment. Do not open electrical boxes. Mark N/A if the pad is locked and not visible.

Pool equipment area: pumps and filters visible, covers on, GFCI or disconnect present if you can see it: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Clubhouse, gym, or rec room: walking surface usable, exits clear, no active leak

Treat this as a common-area interior (InterNACHI Healthy Homes Common Areas). InterNACHI SOP does not require inspecting recreational facilities. Record a failed door, blocked exit, or ceiling leak. Do not inspect exercise machines as systems.

Clubhouse, gym, or rec room: walking surface usable, exits clear, no active leak: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Playground equipment and surfacing: upright, no obvious broken part or exposed footing

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Site play-area items look at damaged equipment and deteriorated paint. InterNACHI 3.2 and ASHI 4 do not require inspecting playground equipment. This is a ground-level visual. Mark N/A if there is no play area.

Playground equipment and surfacing: upright, no obvious broken part or exposed footing: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Sport courts and shared outdoor furniture: surface usable, fencing and lights intact if present

InterNACHI defines recreational facilities to include tennis courts and athletic facilities and does not require inspecting them. Record a heaved court, failed fence, or dumped furniture. Mark N/A if none.

Sport courts and shared outdoor furniture: surface usable, fencing and lights intact if present: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Mail, package, and notice area: access clear, boxes secured, lighting present if used after dark

This is association property, not an InterNACHI system. A leaning cluster box, blocked path, or dark alcove is Needs work. Do not open boxes.

Mail, package, and notice area: access clear, boxes secured, lighting present if used after dark: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Inspection station

Unit exterior compliance

Walk unit exteriors the association polices: paint, parking, trash, and obvious rule items. Compare what you see to the current recorded CC&Rs and published rules, not to a national HOA code. This station is not a unit-interior inspection and not a buyer walk (that is a different form). State HOA and landlord-tenant statutes vary. This is not legal advice.

8 items
Unit exterior compliance

Unit exterior paint, stain, or finish matches the community standard you are applying today

InterNACHI 3.2 describes wall-covering condition. Association paint rules live in the CC&Rs or design guidelines, not in InterNACHI. Mark Needs work only when the finish fails the written standard or exposes the substrate. Write the unit numbers in Notes.

Unit exterior paint, stain, or finish matches the community standard you are applying today: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

No obvious unapproved exterior alteration on the units you sampled

Look for added rooms, changed windows, unapproved paint color, or a structure that the rules say needs approval. InterNACHI is not required to research history or suitability for a proposed use. Confirm against the architectural file before sending a notice.

No obvious unapproved exterior alteration on the units you sampled: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Vehicles at sampled units parked as the rules require: no obvious inoperable or stored vehicle in a banned spot

Parking rules are association documents, not HUD NSPIRE. HUD parking is about pavement condition. Record plate or unit, location, and the rule cite in Notes. Mark N/A if the rules do not limit parking.

Vehicles at sampled units parked as the rules require: no obvious inoperable or stored vehicle in a banned spot: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Trash and recycling at sampled units: carts stored as required, no overflow or dumped items

InterNACHI Healthy Homes Site 6 and Common Areas 85 cover litter and trash areas. Set-out days and cart screens are in the rules. Note carts left at the curb off-schedule or bags left on a porch.

Trash and recycling at sampled units: carts stored as required, no overflow or dumped items: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Yards and planting beds at sampled units: maintained to the written standard, no piled debris

Association landscape rules vary. InterNACHI 3.2 cares about plants that wet or damage the building. Dead lawn, stored junk, or a compost pile against a shared fence is a rule item if the documents say so.

Yards and planting beds at sampled units: maintained to the written standard, no piled debris: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Signs, flags, and satellite dishes at sampled units match the written rules

Federal and state sign, flag, and antenna rules can limit what an HOA may ban. This form does not decide that. Record what you saw and the rule you compared it to. Ask counsel before a notice on a political sign or an OTARD dish.

Signs, flags, and satellite dishes at sampled units match the written rules: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Owner fences, sheds, and accessory structures match approval and setback rules you are applying

InterNACHI and ASHI do not require inspecting fences or outbuildings other than garages. This is a rules check. An unapproved shed or a failing owner fence that the documents make the owner maintain is Needs work. Write the unit number.

Owner fences, sheds, and accessory structures match approval and setback rules you are applying: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Porches, balconies, and driveways at sampled units free of stored items the rules forbid

Look for appliances, construction debris, or indoor furniture stored outside if the rules forbid it. Limited-common balconies on a condo may have separate use rules. This is not a fire-code inspection of every grill.

Porches, balconies, and driveways at sampled units free of stored items the rules forbid: Pass, Needs work, or N/A

Form details

Findings and sign-off

List every Needs work line here. This worksheet is not a licensed inspection report, not a reserve study, not an engineering letter, and not legal advice. File it with the association records if the board wants a written walk.

5 fields
Findings and sign-off

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References

  1. Home Inspection Standards of Practice, roof, exterior, interior, and common-element exclusions - InterNACHI
  2. Scope of Condominium Inspection Clause, common areas courtesy only - InterNACHI
  3. Healthy Homes Checklist, Site and Common Areas items 1-29 and 82-102 - InterNACHI
  4. Pool and Spa Inspection Standards of Practice - InterNACHI
  5. Standard of Practice for Home Inspections, Exterior section 4 and current text - ASHI
  6. NSPIRE Standard, Sidewalk, Walkway, and Ramp - HUD
  7. NSPIRE Standard, Parking Lot - HUD
  8. NSPIRE Standard, Lighting Exterior - HUD
  9. NSPIRE Standard, Litter - HUD
  10. Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools, Pub 362 - CPSC

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.