Does FHA require heating in South Florida

[Moe Larry]

According to HUD archive from 2012


https://archives.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ref/sfhp1-26.cfm

C: Heating:

1. General: ALL habitable rooms must have a heat source. This does not mean that each room must contain a heating device but that each room must receive sufficient heat. (Exception: Homes located in the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Florida counties of Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade do not require heat if, the lack of, is "typical" for the market area and does not adversely affect the marketability of the property.

But can't find that wording in the recent FHA 4001.1

https://www.HUD.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/4000.1hsgh-011823.pdf

Heating and Cooling Systems

The Appraiser must examine the heating system to determine if it is adequate for healthful and comfortable living conditions, regardless of design, fuel or heat source. The Appraiser must notify the Mortgagee of the deficiency of MPR or MPS if the permanently installed heating system does not:• automatically heat the living areas of the house to a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in all GLAs, as well as in non-GLAs containing building or system components subject to failure or damage due to freezing;• provide healthful and comfortable heat or is not safe to operate;• rely upon a fuel source that is readily obtainable within the subject’s geographic area;• have market acceptance within the subject’s marketplace; and• operate without human intervention for extended periods of time. Central air conditioning is not required but, if installed, must be operational. If the air conditioning system is not operational, the Appraiser must indicate the level of deferred maintenance, analyze and report the effect on marketability, and include the cost to cure.

 

[glenn walker]

It says the Florida counties of Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade do not require heat if, the lack of, is "typical" for the market area and does not adversely affect the marketability of the property.

 

[Moe Larry]

Yes, but the most recent document saying that was from 2012. Why don't they have the same wording in the 2023 4000.1 document. My worry is that it may have changed

 

[glenn walker]

Dont know maybe a Florida Appraiser on here can help. One question is it common where you are for none and how do buyers view it or what HUD calls market acceptance . I think thats what is the bigger issue. You may want to call your Florida Housing Center HOC and see if they can give you a anwser. I found no change from what you posted did it change the Counties ? Or just omitted them ?

 

[Moe Larry]

For anyone interested. Contacted HUD today and according to the most recent revised 8/1/2022 it remains the same although individual city or county rules trump HUD. They also said this statement would not show up in the 4000.1


"Homes located in the Florida counties of Lee, Charlotte, Glades,
Hendry, Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade do
not require heat if the lack of is “typical” for the market area and
does not adversely affect the marketability of the property"

 

[J Grant]

I live in Florida and am not aware of that. I play it safe and assume Florida is not an exception ( I am in Palm Beach County)

Though we rarely have cold snaps here, we do have them, and when we do, it can get to 40 degrees or so - cold enough for that time, a week or however long it lasts to need heat

Normally if a house has an AC source in FL it has a reverse cycle heat source as well. I have a central air unit and system, and with my thermostat, I can switch the setting to heat - should be present on many similar systems in a house here.

 

[Moe Larry]

"I live in Florida and am not aware of that"

Well I am aware of it after speaking today with

Appraiser (Sf), Tech Branch II

Processing & Underwriting Division

US Department of Housing and Urban Development
40 Marietta Street

Atlanta, GA 30303-2806

 

[J Grant]

It says does not require heat in those counties if no heat is typical for the area and will not adversely affect the marketability
I do not believe that to be the case, buyers expect a heat source for the cold snaps and lack of heat would adversely affect marketability when nearly every house has a heat source via the AC system-

Virtually every central air AC unit has a thermostat that makes it a heat source, by switching it to heat and setting the temperature, mini splits are reverse cycle heat and many unit AC as well

 

[glenn walker]

It says does not require heat in those counties if no heat is typical for the area and will not adversely affect the marketability
I do not believe that to be the case, buyers expect a heat source for the cold snaps and lack of heat would adversely affect marketability when nearly every house has a heat source via the AC system-

Virtually every central air AC unit has a thermostat that makes it a heat source, by switching it to heat and setting the temperature, mini splits are reverse cycle heat and many unit AC as well

Thats called a Heat Pump its both AC and Heat

 

[J Grant]

Thats called a Heat Pump its both AC and Heat

regular AC has it does not have to be a heat pump