GFI and FHA

[PGagent]

If a house was built in 1981 and does not have GFI outlets, will FHA require them?

 

[Tom D]

anywhere where water can splash near it. rest of home no. usually kitchen counters & bathrooms. i think that is part of national electric code which towns, city seem to follow.

 

[Dublin ohio]

They have been part of the NEC for decades. They originally required them on outdoor receptacles and within 3' of sink and They expanded that to 6'. Now they are required in garages and I do believe in some basement situations. Cheap easy fix. Gfi receptacles are only $15-$20.

 

[glenn walker]

If a house was built in 1981 and does not have GFI outlets, will FHA require them?

FHA has no such guidelines but there are some appraisers who took it upon themselfs to call for them because they believe it falls under FHA Health & Safety Guidelines. So its kinda like Forrest Gump said its like a box of chocolates and ya- never know what you are going to get. With that being said the fortunate part is there not real expensive and I would get a few estimates to see how much to install. Also when the appraiser shows up don't have the toaster sitting next to a sink full of water or a hair dryer over the bathtub. About the only time I called for a GFI was I was doing a FHA refinance for a lady and her kid pulled out the toaster sat it within inches of the sink which had water in it and placed a pop-tart in it. I slowly walked up and gently moved the toaster away from the sink and waited for the kids pop tart-get done and then unplugged it. I kindly explained to the lady She needed a GFI because if that toaster fell in the sink and the kid grabbed it he could get a big shock or even worse. So She ended up getting a GFI in the kitchen and in the bathrooms. Luckily now days many hair dryers and toasters have built in breakers. Anyway good luck and get that toaster away from the kitchen sink and don't dry your hair in the bathtub : ) LOL

 

[Jayjay25]

It not always easy to determine if an outlet is gfi protected. The whole circuit could be protected by the 1st gfi in the series or the whole circuit could be protected by a (possibly labeled) gfi breaker.

 

[RSW]

I agree with Glenn. There is no FHA requirement there be a GFI outlet unless it was required under existing code. Older homes are grandfathered in and are not required unless the home is updated and requires permits. Now, there is always the exception to the rule depending on where the outlet is located. I might condition the appraisal subject to a GFI outlet.

It's funny that in TN all of the bathrooms can be wired on one circuit and only one GFI outlet is required. Same goes for the outlets on the exterior.

 

[PGagent]

FHA has no such guidelines but there are some appraisers who took it upon themselfs to call for them because they believe it falls under FHA Health & Safety Guidelines. So its kinda like Forrest Gump said its like a box of chocolates and ya- never know what you are going to get. With that being said the fortunate part is there not real expensive and I would get a few estimates to see how much to install. Also when the appraiser shows up don't have the toaster sitting next to a sink full of water or a hair dryer over the bathtub. About the only time I called for a GFI was I was doing a FHA refinance for a lady and her kid pulled out the toaster sat it within inches of the sink which had water in it and placed a pop-tart in it. I slowly walked up and gently moved the toaster away from the sink and waited for the kids pop tart-get done and then unplugged it. I kindly explained to the lady She needed a GFI because if that toaster fell in the sink and the kid grabbed it he could get a big shock or even worse. So She ended up getting a GFI in the kitchen and in the bathrooms. Luckily now days many hair dryers and toasters have built in breakers. Anyway good luck and get that toaster away from the kitchen sink and don't dry your hair in the bathtub : ) LOL

No toasters or hair dryers! This house is vacant. I’m a real estate agent and the buyer of this house. Seller is in a distressed situation, so I’m trying to get ahead of any issues before the appraiser comes out. There’s a decent shed in the back. It has a broken window and some wood rot too. Lender told me that would need to be fixed too.

 

[Dublin ohio]

It's funny that in TN all of the bathrooms can be wired on one circuit and only one GFI outlet is required. Same goes for the outlets on the exterior.

So TN does not go by the NEC?

 

[RSW]

So TN does not go by the NEC?

That, I do not know. I spoke with a local home inspector about this & he confirmed it.

 

[David S. Roberson]

So TN does not go by the NEC?

Each outlet is protected if the first in the circuit is GFCI.