Easy one for you experts

[JP Truce]

The main electrical panel is is good condition, outlets and switches all working properly, very tight house all the way around.......except there is an empty space in the panel for another breaker. The empty space is not being used and does not have a cover plate.

Do I call for the cover plate to be installed?? m2:

 

[timd354]

If its for FHA, that is definitely a safety issue and you must condition the appraisal on the instasllation of a cover plate. If it is for Fannie, I would mention it, state that this a potential safety hazard and recommend that the cover plate be installed, but would do the appraisal "as is" if there are no other property issues.....the lender can make the call as to whether or not to require the repair.

 

[RSW]

Tim got this one right.

 

[Mike Boyd]

The empty space is a punch out and not likely anyone could find a plate to cover it. If it were my house I would slap a piece of duct tape over it. I don't see it as any major safety issue. It is no worse than a light socket without a bulb. Call it if you want to but my bet is that underwriting will strike it.

 

[CURT VAN HOOSER]

Assuming you are talking about a punchout, this really is no safety hazard.

 

[Howard Klahr]

Not that this issue is greatly significant, but these random classifications as not being a safty hazard are quite interesting. If the property were being inspected by a city building official it would fail the inspection for this item.

I agree that the report does not need to be conditioned for this item but lets keep in focus what should be reported.

 

[timd354]

Not that this issue is greatly significant, but these random classifications as not being a safty hazard are quite interesting. If the property were being inspected by a city building official it would fail the inspection for this item.

I agree that the report does not need to be conditioned for this item but lets keep in focus what should be reported.

It is an absolute code violation and an absolute safety very serious safety hazard since someone going to the breaker box to reset the breakers may be doing so in the dark, and, while poking around in the dark trying to find the breaker by feel, could easily stick is finger through the open slot and be electrocuted. I would absolutely condition for it, if the underwriter waives the condition, that's the underwriter's decison, but then its on the underwriter and not me. In any case its a $5-10 fix for anyone who can use a screw driver, so what's the big deal?

 

[CURT VAN HOOSER]

You guys are killing me