Local certificates vs HUD's eyes: fire escapes and balconies wear two hats

In many cities a fire escape or balcony carries a local certification cycle — a licensed professional inspects it on the city's schedule and files the paper. HUD's inspector does not audit that paper; they look at the structure itself on the day, and a current local certificate does not cure visible corrosion, loose connections, or a rail that moves. The two systems answer different questions: the local one asks whether a professional certified it on a date; NSPIRE asks what condition it is in now. Keep both current, and never let a filed certificate talk you out of what your own eyes see on a walk. Where do your local and HUD checks disagree most? — Otto Mergl, Admin