VA Scuttle Access

[spairair]

I am looking for direction on whose responsibility it is to remove scuttle grates from outside attic openings with VA loans. In our area, most access points are on the outside of the home near the peak of the roof line. They are often 20-30 feet above ground. To make it more challenging, the hillside homes make the ground uneven and its particularly risky in 2 feet of snow with temperatures dropping to 40 below (Alaska). These scuttle vents are often framed in with siding , nailed in or screwed in. For FHA homes, the regs are clear that it is the home owners responsibility to provide access. But in VA Loans, it is not clear. I carry a ladder in my truck but I object to dismantling someones house. Anyone have experience or ideas on this?

 

[Don Clark]

I am looking for direction on whose responsibility it is to remove scuttle grates from outside attic openings with VA loans. In our area, most access points are on the outside of the home near the peak of the roof line. They are often 20-30 feet above ground. To make it more challenging, the hillside homes make the ground uneven and its particularly risky in 2 feet of snow with temperatures dropping to 40 below (Alaska). These scuttle vents are often framed in with siding , nailed in or screwed in. For FHA homes, the regs are clear that it is the home owners responsibility to provide access. But in VA Loans, it is not clear. I carry a ladder in my truck but I object to dismantling someones house. Anyone have experience or ideas on this?

VA has always maintained that access to all parts of a property is the property owners responsibility. This may help:

Onsite​

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: The property must be free of hazards (such as subsidence or flood or erosion problems)
which may adversely affect the health and safety of the occupants, the structural soundness of the
improvements, or which may impair the customary use and enjoyment of the property by the​

occupants.

 

[incognito]

VA does not require viewing the attic. VA states that they do not expect the appraiser to perform inspections which may be dangerous to the appraiser. I have been a VA appraiser for 30 years, and have NEVER viewed an attic as a part of a VA inspection, unless there was readilly visible, apparent evidence that it may be necessary to do so.

 

[spairair]

Thanks for the input. Others have also said that attic inspections are not required for VA loans. However, a recent telephonic VA training session that I was involved in, indicated that the VA required the appraiser to inspect attics. Maybe its a new policy? For now, I think I will inspect the roof area from the ground until I hear otherwise from the VA. Thanks.

 

[incognito]

recent telephonic VA training session

Here-say and anecdotal. Why not just read the manual?

The fee appraiser is not expected to climb onto the roof

(their bold, not mine).

The fee appraiser must view every room in the interior and all easily (my emphasis) accessible spaces such as attic, crawl space, basement, garage and storage spaces

The emphasis has ALWAYS been (here-say and anecdotal) on the word "easily". Therefore, in my practice, if there is a safe, easily accessible, readily available stairway into an attic, and perhaps even a drop stair in an area where there is no car in the way, which is well lit and easily accessible, I probably will give the attic a peek.

When all else fails, read the manual...

 

[Larry Pinkerton]

Do you disclose that you did not preform a head-and-shoulder inspection of the attic and/or crawl space if it is not "easily" accessible?

 

[incognito]

Why? VA does not require a "head and shoulders" or any other type of attic viewing... Neither does FNMA/FHLMC. This is a FHA requirement...

 

[Proactive]

From Denver RLC Appraiser's Handbook:

You are not expected to enter attics or crawl spaces. You are expected to use a flashlight to view the condition of both the attic and crawl space to determine if there is any visible evidence of deterioration, structural problems, moisture, etc.