Firewall in Duplex

[Khconway]

Older duplex with no fire/party wall between the units. I have found the requirement from mortgagee letter 96-21, but nothing in recent publications. I have been calling for them for quite a few years and now I have a lender telling me that it is not in the hand book. It is not a converted home, has always been a duplex. Is there any recent information on this?

 

[glenn walker]

35 years doing FHA- used to do VA but never seen anything- What I'm going to make a owner tear out a wall between two units ? No way I am with lender --I think you are being heavy handed. Where would owner move adjacent tenant to while this project was being done ? LOL)

 

[Fernando]

I don't think I have a firewall in my duplex.

 

[Khconway]

35 years doing FHA- used to do VA but never seen anything- What I'm going to make a owner tear out a wall between two units ? No way I am with lender --I think you are being heavy handed. Where would owner move adjacent tenant to while this project was being done ? LOL)

It is in the unfinished attic space, not in living space.

 

[glenn walker]

It is in the unfinished attic space, not in living space.

You can make any call you want but I would move on and be done. LOL

 

[glenn walker]

What kind of cost to cure are you estimating ? for owner to do this project ?

 

[sputnam]

That's a permit/building code issue. You can't really require a buyer/seller to install a firewall in an existing structure that was built at a time when a firewall was not required by building codes. Disclose it, compare it to structures of similar age, and move on. If you find that there is a market reaction to firewall vs no firewall.. extract and make the adjustment.

 

[Elliott]

Probably just needs a firmware update of the router. (trying to be funny)

Require two installed smoke detectors on both sides of the 'wall.'

 

[J Grant]

Disclose it and move on.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Grandfathered also certainly.