Does FHA have a minimum bedroom count?

[Justin7402]

Doing a condo appraisal, property has a room that will be used as a bedroom, but it only has one entrance/no exterior egress. Only exterior window is in the living room. I feel like it could be a safety issue, but I can’t find anything in FHA guidelines saying there has to be a bedroom in the property, just the minimum guidelines for what qualifies as a bedroom.

 

[glenn walker]

Doing a condo appraisal, property has a room that will be used as a bedroom, but it only has one entrance/no exterior egress. Only exterior window is in the living room. I feel like it could be a safety issue, but I can’t find anything in FHA guidelines saying there has to be a bedroom in the property, just the minimum guidelines for what qualifies as a bedroom.

Condo some are 1 bedrooms or studios so don't think it's an issue. Studio's in Big Cities dont even have a seperate bedroom just a open floor plan. IS THE CONDO PROJECT FHA approved ? Some are not and lenders Underwriters have a list.

 

[Zoe]

You just need a window and it's height requirements. One door in and out and a window. As long as it meets local code requirements, you can call it a bedroom.

1 BR, 1 LR 1 kitchen. 1 bathroom.

 

[Zoe]

I have to ask out of curiosity. How many sq.ft. in this condo?

 

[Zoe]

Condo some are 1 bedrooms or studios so don't think it's an issue. Studio's in Big Cities dont even have a seperate bedroom just a open floor plan. IS THE CONDO PROJECT FHA approved ? Some are not and lenders Underwriters have a list.

I have a deep feeling lender would not be requesting FHA loan if it was not on approved list.

 

[Tom D]

So you need 2 windows on the 20th floor to jump out of in case of a fire. If the project is approved by HUD, and most are. Then you are over stepping with you safety imagination.
Interesting question, but you must be a worrier. With functional utility, a murphy bed will make a living room a bedroom at night.

 

[sputnam]

Doing a condo appraisal, property has a room that will be used as a bedroom, but it only has one entrance/no exterior egress. Only exterior window is in the living room. I feel like it could be a safety issue, but I can’t find anything in FHA guidelines saying there has to be a bedroom in the property, just the minimum guidelines for what qualifies as a bedroom.

It also probably has a automatic sprinkler system throughout the building. Something that very few single family residences have.

 

[J Grant]

Doing a condo appraisal, property has a room that will be used as a bedroom, but it only has one entrance/no exterior egress. Only exterior window is in the living room. I feel like it could be a safety issue, but I can’t find anything in FHA guidelines saying there has to be a bedroom in the property, just the minimum guidelines for what qualifies as a bedroom.

Even in a condo, a window meets code for a bedroom ( as well as market expectations ). We can't fudge what a property to ensure it gets approved. Call it for what it is and let the lender deal with whether it gets approved ( or not) for a loan.

Label it a sleeping area and state that it is common to use the area as a bedroom in similar condos. I would not call a room without a window a bedroom.

 

[Zoe]

Even in a condo, a window meets code for a bedroom ( as well as market expectations ). We can't fudge what a property to ensure it gets approved. Call it for what it is and let the lender deal with whether it gets approved ( or not) for a loan.

Label it a sleeping area and state that it is common to use the area as a bedroom in similar condos. I would not call a room without a window a bedroom.

Hey, I'll call it a bedroom if I want to. In fact, the OP already called it a bedroom. LOL

Safety was the OP's concern. I would still like to know the square footage. I am thinking maybe 400 sf. It could be up to 800 sq ft. Idk.

It could have a loft and 800 sf kitchen and living room and bath.

 

[J Grant]

So you need 2 windows on the 20th floor to jump out of in case of a fire. If the project is approved by HUD, and most are. Then you are over stepping with you safety imagination.
Interesting question, but you must be a worrier. With functional utility, a murphy bed will make a living room a bedroom at night.

It doesn't matter if it makes no sense wrt safety in some cases. A window meets the building code for a bedroom and is a market expectation.

Buyers can use their spaces however they want, including installing a Murphy bed. We have a standard as appraisers we are expected to fulfill. The RE agents can lie, exaggerate, and stage their listings all day long. If we start doing the same, the last reasons for our existence are gone.