Basement Window Egress

[Dublin ohio]

If it was an FHA requirement. Then the majority of homes with unfinished basements in my area would not be eligible for an FHA loan. Unless the basement happens to have an actual egress window (in my areas egress windows have to be of a minimum size with a minimum area in sq inches to allow reasonable egress and be low enough to climb out of. The typical basement window in my area is about 32" x 14" and is 7' above the floor. No way to egress from that window even if it is open.

 

[Mr Rex]

How many old houses with unfinished basements have no windows and only interior stairs? Most?

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

IN MY MARKET, there are houses with finished basement levels that have windows too small for egress and those still qualify for FHA loans.

 

[glenn walker]

We don't have a lot of basements in this area but the ones I have inspected "both finished and unfinished" did not have any windows because they were all below ground. Personally I would not call for a window in a basement and I highly doubt any FHA reviewer would have an issue BUT if you go and make a big issue in the report I guarantee the UW and reviewer will go into paranoid mode and want you to address the issue. Fast Forward one week later and 2 pages of addendum's when all you had to do was nothing : ) LOL