FHA Inspection-Off to the Bath

[Patrick McCarthy]

It is my understanding that a bathroom does not have to have an electrical outlet to conform with FHA guidelines. Am I are wrong? Where does it state that a bathroom has to have an electrical outlet? Thanks!

 

[ROBERT JONES]

Just an additional test, when checking the trap, run the water and fill the sink up some, while checking other items, then release the stopper. This fills the trap all at once and will reveal upper seal leaks. Apply this to all sinks tested.

Bob Jones

 

[Wally Jones]

More good stuff, Ben. Thank you.

You mentioned rotting subflooring around the toilet base. I take extra care to check for subflooring problems on any block and pier construction or any bath above the first floor. I kneel down outside the bathroom door to see if the floor is noticeably lower, especially around the tub or toilet. If at all possible, I check from under the house to make sure the floor doesn't appear to sag and that there are no excessively wet places (sometimes a problem with older manufactured homes). Again, thank you!

A short bathroom inspection story.

The listing said it was a three bathroom place. Okay. One of the baths was at the rear of a converted garage (they actually had a permit!). The owner said someone was in that bathroom, so I said no problem, I'll get to it a little later. Two more tries and the owner finally admits noone is in there, he was just embarassed because it hadn't been cleaned. No kidding! It was being used to raise chickens (I'm not making this up). There had been no fixtures installed and the tub area had six nests. Lots of hay and chicken feed on the nice tile floor. That explained the open "pet door" just outside the bathroom door. I couldn't call it a bathroom and "indoor chicken coop" just didn't seem right so I used the old Realtor's stand-by of "Bonus Room" with lots of explanation and pictures. I was going to say the owner's really had egg on their faces but I knew y'all would groan, so I won't say that. LOL. (No, this one was not an FHA and poultry in the house is almost typical for that area. Truth in this job is sometimes stranger than fiction.)

Wally

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

PMC212,

The bathroom does not need an electrical outlet which sounds strange. I believe that was discussed over on the NAIFA FHA forum and the answer from the Santa Ana FHA chat room was :no.

The question is safety and you have to decide that one. You know that today's bathroom requires hair dryers, curling irons, electric shavers and in my kids cases, a damn big boom box for CD's... got to have tunes playing while in the shower, right? Now without an outlet in there, what are the moron children going to do...they're going to run an extension cord in there which when unplugged will fall into the sink while they have the water turned on to brush their teeth and they'll stick the toothbrush into the water stream and poof their hair is standing straight-up, which is not the look that they wanted so you're in trouble.

On the serious side, if there is no bathroom outlet,I would state so in the appraisal report and also state that there is no FHA/HUD requirement to install one. That way, everyone is aware of the problem and that HUD/FHA does not require correction. The owner can call HUD and complain about Little Johnny's unacceptable new hairstyle.... :lol:

Ben

 

[Anonymous]

Ben: You do a heck of a job ! I'm wondering, in this current climate, if any of the Lenders call you back, though.

I did FHA's a few years ago. Do they have a ceiling level on the fees, or are the fees open ? It sounds like the honest appraisers can now do the FHA's without the "pressure" and coercion, after all their recent problems.
Considering re-enlisting !

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

Ron,

No ceiling on the appraisal fee like in the old days. It's whatever the market will bear.

Regarding lenders. I have no problems with calling for repairs with the lenders I work for. I think that you will find that quality control at most lenders has increased noticeably since FHA has cracked down on them.

The lenders that pressure you for repairs typically shop appraisers anyway so they won't be long-term clients-so you won't want to bother with them/risk your license-the lender will eventually get into trouble with FHA and drag you down with them. It's only a matter of time before they're caught. FHA is initiating a new review system that ties lender and appraiser loan default rates together which will eliminate the "game playing" when they see the same lender/appraiser names over and over.

Believe me, there are reputable loan officers out there and reputable lenders that let you do your job as an FHA appraiser. Like any other business decision-you consider your future and you have to weed out the junk lenders and keep the good ones.

Ben

 

[Rrebera]

Lighting outlets required-National Electrical Code
210-70. Lighting outlets required lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in Sections 210-70(a), (b), and ©, below.

At leat one wall switch-controlled lighting shall be installed in very habitable room: in bathrooms, hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power; and at the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

This may help in the future.....