FHA / GFCI Outlets

[jnjappraisal]

Good Afternoon. Recently, I received this comment from an Underwriter: "This is currently subject to for GFCI outlet in the Kitchen. I spoke to Jeremy at the zoning commission in Lake Delta, which is the governing township of this home and he advised that GFCI is a requirement of new build homes and code does not require previous homes to change to meet the new requirement. Secondly, FHA code does not require GFCI outlets neither. That is a previous FHA guideline that changed many years ago that required 6 feet of clearance from any outlet or have a GFCI outlet in place. "

Lack of a GFCI outlet near a water source is considered to be a safety concern in my view and I frankly have never heard of an FHA Appraiser not requiring this. I am really interested to hear what you all have to say on the matter.

Thank you!

 

[CANative]

What did people ever do for the 100 years of electricity in the kitchen before GFIC?

 

[andrew81]

not a requirement so i dont report it

however, one of my appraiser peers that i consult with, always recommends gfci for FHA, USDA, and VA reports.

 

[alebrewer]

It is not an FHA requirement (at least is not covered in the 4000.1), but (a) if it is a local code requirement, it should be called out, and (b) per the myriad discussions I've had with the HOC's over the years, if the appraiser believes it to be a health/safety issue, HUD will not override the appraiser. Others may have had different experience(s) with the HOCs, though.

 

[Overimprovement]

I have stopped requiring them unless local code does OR there is some safety reason to do so.

 

[Michigan CG]

Appraisers pretending to be electricians. We have no GFI in our bathroom, it is linked to our kids bathroom. Some GFIs are in the basement in the electrical box. Have never called for one.

 

[jnjappraisal]

Thank you everyone! I am happy this came up so that I can change the way I have been handling it. Appraising is a field I am constantly learning in which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Sometimes, wrong information is provided to us in our training or in our FHA continuing ed classes... I always try to keep an open mind and continue to learn as things change.

 

[Mark K]

Appraisers should be careful to check for all required GFI outlets, including basements, garages, porches, and of course kitchen and baths. If they don't check for ALL of them they might lose their GFI Police badge.

Or, if they're concerned about the electrical system, they might just leave the electrical inspections to the electricians.

 

[RSW]

I have never called for gfci outlets in older homes, but have for newer ones which have to be up to code

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I stick my tester in a representative sample of outlets, as required by FHA.
Hopefully they all work. I report that.

I recall no requirement from them for GFCI.
Is it a good idea? Sure, people probably got electrocuted on rare occasions every now and then before they existed.