FHA Operable Windows

[Andee]

Just skimmed through FHA info and this wasn't clear enough for me. I have windows in a house that are operable, but how operable do they have to be? I can take the window out of almost all of them and all but 1 don't stay up when you open them. I get they need to stay up for emergency purposes, you don't want it crashing down on you in when trying to crawl out, but in this case you can just take out the window, with no effort. My thought is that they would have to either replace all windows or fix them with the counterweight for this Era home, which at this point I don't even know if you can.

 

[glenn walker]

Just skimmed through FHA info and this wasn't clear enough for me. I have windows in a house that are operable, but how operable do they have to be? I can take the window out of almost all of them and all but 1 don't stay up when you open them. I get they need to stay up for emergency purposes, you don't want it crashing down on you in when trying to crawl out, but in this case you can just take the window, with no effort. My thought is that they would have to either replace all windows or fix them with the counterweight for this Era home, which at this point I don't even know if you can.

Old Double Hung Wood Framed Windows --Yes weghts and cords can still be purchased. I have repaired many over the years on old homes . 4000.1 does no address these issues it's a Health & Safety Issue. In a fire cansomeone get out ? Thats a decesion you have to make. If not call for them to be-inspected and repaired to open and stay up until pulled down.

 

[Andee]

Old Double Hung Wood Framed Windows --Yes weghts and cords can still be purchased. I have repaired many over the years on old homes . 4000.1 does no address these issues it's a Health & Safety Issue. In a fire cansomeone get out ? Thats a decesion you have to make. If not call for them to be-inspected and repaired to open and stay up until pulled down.

These are old aluminum framed windows, and I'm surprised they haven't had the home inspector out there yet, which would have caught this and the drywall cracks that have exposed the underlying lead based paint. The windows are just one problem, there are more with this house, like the wood rot on the door jamb at the top which you can see but the bottom that they thought would be a good idea to put masking tape over...didn't even go for the duct tape...which supposedly fixes everything...

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

I thought you were going to discuss old wood windows painted shut. It makes a lot of owners and agents mad that they have to free up those windows and try not to cause flaked and chipped paint issues.

 

[Andee]

I thought you were going to discuss old wood windows painted shut. It makes a lot of owners and agents mad that they have to free up those windows and try not to cause flaked and chipped paint issues.

Nope, just old aluminum, the first window I opened I actually took it out on accident not realizing that would happen. I put it back in and tried to let it stay up and the second I realized it wouldn't, I was kicking myself for taking this job on. Then I get back to finish reading the contract that says they are purchasing the property "AS-IS", and all could think was, "I hope they have more money down or don't care about a higher interest rate because it has to go conventional."

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Nope, just old aluminum, the first window I opened I actually took it out on accident not realizing that would happen. I put it back in and tried to let it stay up and the second I realized it wouldn't, I was kicking myself for taking this job on. Then I get back to finish reading the contract that says they are purchasing the property "AS-IS", and all could think was, "I hope they have more money down or don't care about a higher interest rate because it has to go conventional."

Of course, the problem with the property is somehow always the appraiser's fault.

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

If the windows do not stay up I do not find them to be a meaningful way of egress and if it slams down that can be dangerous.

 

[J Grant]

Nope, just old aluminum, the first window I opened I actually took it out on accident not realizing that would happen. I put it back in and tried to let it stay up and the second I realized it wouldn't, I was kicking myself for taking this job on. Then I get back to finish reading the contract that says they are purchasing the property "AS-IS", and all could think was, "I hope they have more money down or don't care about a higher interest rate because it has to go conventional."

The fact their contract says purchasing as is does not affect how you appraise the house or what repairs are called for per FHA guidelines/requirements.

If windows or other aspects of house do not meet the HUD MPR then call for inspection or repair /make subject to and let the parties deal with it (or not, their choice )

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Do what we always did. put a stick on the the sill and hold the window open with it.

 

[Mark K]

Do what we always did. put a stick on the the sill and hold the window open with it.

That's far too complicated for some to understand how common it is.