24 C.F.R. Subpart A—Eligibility Requirements and Underwriting Procedures
Title 24 - Housing and Urban Development
The three underwriting procedures for single family mortgages are: (a) Direct Endorsement. This procedure, which is described in §203.5, is available for mortgagees that are eligible under §203.3. (b) Lender insurance. This procedure, which is described in §203.6, is available for mortgagees that are eligible for the Direct Endorsement program under §203.5, and that are also approved according to §203.4. (c) Issuing of commitments through HUD offices. Processing through HUD offices as described in §203.7, with issuance of commitments, is available only for mortgages that are not eligible for Direct Endorsement processing under §203.5(b) or to the extent required in §203.3(b)(4), §203.3(d)(1), or as determined by the Secretary. [62 FR 30225, June 2, 1997] (a) Direct Endorsement approval. To be approved for the Direct Endorsement program set forth in §203.5, a mortgagee must be an approved mortgagee meeting the requirements of §§202.13, 202.14 or 202.17 and this section. (b) Special requirements. The mortgagee must establish that it meets the following qualifications. (1) The mortgagee has five years of experience in the origination of single family mortgages. The Secretary will approve a mortgagee with less than five years experience in the origination of single family mortgages if a principal officer has had a minimum of five years of managerial experience in the origination of single family mortgages. (2) The mortgagee has on its permanent staff an underwriter that is authorized by the mortgagee to bind the mortgagee on matters involving the origination of mortgages through the Direct Endorsement procedure and that is registered with the Secretary and such registration is maintained with the Secretary. The technical staff may be employees of the mortgagee or may be hired on a fee basis from a roster maintained by the Secretary. The mortgagee shall use appraisers permitted by §203.5(e). (3) [Reserved] (4) The mortgagee must submit initially 15 mortgages processed in accordance with §§203.5 and 203.255. Separate approval is required to originate mortgages under part 206 of this chapter through the Direct Endorsement program unless at least 50 mortgages closed by the mortgagee have been insured under part 206 of this chapter prior to September 15, 1995. Other mortgagees who have not closed at least 50 mortgages under part 206 of this chapter must submit five (5) Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, processed in accordance with §§203.3 and 203.255. The documents required by §203.255 will be reviewed by the Secretary and, if acceptable, commitments will be issued prior to endorsement of the mortgages for insurance. If the underwriting and processing of these 15 mortgages (or the 5 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages) is satisfactory, then the mortgagee may be approved to close subsequent mortgages and submit them directly for endorsement for insurance in accordance with the process set forth in §203.255. Unsatisfactory performance by the mortgagee at this stage constitutes grounds for denial of participation in the program, or for continued pre-endorsement review of a mortgagee's submissions. If participation in the program is denied, such denial is effective immediately and may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. Unsatisfactory performance solely with respect to mortgages under 24 CFR part 206 may, at the option of the Secretary, be grounds for denial of participation or for continued pre-endorsement review for 24 CFR part 206 mortgages without affecting the mortgagee's processing of mortgages under other parts. (5) The mortgagee shall promptly notify those HUD offices which have granted approval under this section of any changes that affect qualifications under this section. (c) [Reserved] (d) Mortgagee sanctions. Depending upon the nature and extent of the noncompliance with the requirements applicable to the Direct Endorsement process, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may take any of the following actions: (1) Probation. The Secretary may place a mortgagee on Direct Endorsement probation for a specified period of time for the purpose of evaluating the mortgagee's compliance with the requirements of the Direct Endorsement procedure. Such probation is distinct from probation imposed by the Mortgagee Review Board under part 25 of this chapter. During the probation period specified by this section, the mortgagee may continue to process Direct Endorsement mortgages, subject to conditions required by the Secretary. The Secretary may require the mortgagee to: (i) Process mortgages in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of this section; (ii) Submit to additional training; (iii) Make changes in the quality control plan required by §202.5(h) of this chapter; and (iv) Take other actions, which may include, but are not limited to, periodic reporting to the Secretary, and submission to the Secretary of internal audits. (2) Termination of Direct Endorsement approval. (i) A mortgagee's approval to participate in the Direct Endorsement program may be terminated in a particular jurisdiction by the local HUD office or on a nationwide basis by HUD Central Office. The HUD office instituting the termination action shall provide the mortgagee with written notice of the grounds for the action and of the right to an informal hearing before the office initiating the termination action. Such hearing shall be expeditiously arranged, and the mortgagee may be represented by counsel. Any termination instituted under this section is distinct from withdrawal of mortgagee approval by the Mortgagee Review Board under part 25 of this title. (ii) After consideration of the materials presented, the decision maker shall advise the mortgagee in writing whether the termination is rescinded, modified or affirmed. (iii) The mortgagee may appeal such decision to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing or his or her designee. A decision by the Deputy Assistant Secretary or designee shall constitute final agency action. (iv) Termination of an origination approval agreement under part 202 of this chapter for a mortgagee or one or more branch offices automatically terminates Direct Endorsement approval for the mortgagee or the branch office or offices without any further requirement to comply with this paragraph. [57 FR 58345, Dec. 9, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 42758, Aug. 16, 1995; 61 FR 2651, Jan. 26, 1996; 62 FR 20088, Apr. 24, 1997; 62 FR 65182, Dec. 10, 1997] Each mortgagee that chooses to participate in the Lender Insurance program must use the Lender Insurance process to insure all of the mortgages that it underwrites, unless the mortgages are ineligible for the Direct Endorsement program as provided in §203.5(b), or unless HUD determines that the mortgages are ineligible for the Lender Insurance program. (a) Direct Endorsement approval. To be approved for the Lender Insurance program described in §203.6, a mortgagee must be unconditionally approved for the Direct Endorsement program as provided in §203.5. (b) Performance: Claim and default rates. In addition to being unconditionally approved for the Direct Endorsement program, a mortgagee must have had an acceptable claim and default record for at least 2 years prior to its application for participation in the Lender Insurance program. HUD determines acceptable claim and default record as follows: (1) A mortgagee is eligible for the Lender Insurance program if its claim and default rate is at or below 150 percent of the national average rate for all insured mortgages. (2) A mortgagee that operates in a single State (Single State mortgagee) may choose to have its claim and default rate compared with the average rate in the State in which it operates, in which case the Single State mortgagee is eligible for the Lender Insurance program if its claim and default rate is at or below 150 percent of the State average rate for insured mortgages. (c) Annual review. HUD will monitor a mortgagee's eligibility to participate in the Lender Insurance program on a yearly basis. (d) Termination of approval. If a mortgagee that has been approved by HUD for the Lender Insurance program violates the requirements and procedures established by the Secretary for such program, or if HUD determines that other good cause exists (including, but not limited to, HUD's determination that the mortgagee is not using prudent review techniques), HUD may immediately terminate the mortgagee's approval to participate in the Lender Insurance program, in accordance with section 256(d) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–21(d)). Within 30 days after receiving HUD's notice of termination, a mortgagee may request an informal conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing. The conference will be conducted within 30 days after HUD receives a timely request for the conference. After the conference, the Deputy Assistant Secretary may decide to affirm the termination action or to reinstate the mortgagee's Lender Insurance program approval. The decision will be communicated to the mortgagee in writing and will be deemed a final agency action. Termination of an origination approval agreement under part 202 of this chapter or termination of Direct Endorsement approval under §203.3(d)(2) for a mortgagee or one or more branch offices automatically terminates Lender Insurance approval for the mortgagee or the branch office or offices without any further requirement to comply with this paragraph. [62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997, as amended at 62 FR 65182, Dec. 10, 1997] (a) General. Under the Direct Endorsement program, the Secretary does not review applications for mortgage insurance before the mortgage is executed or issue conditional or firm commitments, except to the extent required by §203.3(b)(4), §203.3(d)(1), or as determined by the Secretary. Under this program, the mortgagee determines that the proposed mortgage is eligible for insurance under the applicable program regulations, and submits the required documents to the Secretary in accordance with the procedures set forth in §203.255. This subpart provides that certain functions shall be performed by the Secretary (or Commissioner), but the Secretary may specify that a Direct Endorsement mortgagee shall perform such an action without specific involvement or approval by the Secretary, subject to statutory limitations. In each case, the Direct Endorsement mortgagee's performance is subject to pre-endorsement and post-endorsement review by the Secretary under §203.255 (c) and (e). (b) Eligible programs. (1) All single family mortgages authorized for insurance under the National Housing Act must be originated through the Direct Endorsement program, except the following: (i) Mortgages underwritten for insurance by mortgagees that have applied for participation in, and have been approved for, the Lender Insurance program; (ii) Mortgages authorized under sections 203(n), 203(p), 213(d), 221(h), 221(i), 225, 233, 237, 809, or 810 of the National Housing Act, or any other insurance programs announced by (iii) As provided in §203.1. (2) The provision contained in §221.55 of this chapter regarding deferred sales to displaced families is not available in the Direct Endorsement program. (c) Underwriter due diligence. A Direct Endorsement mortgagee shall exercise the same level of care which it would exercise in obtaining and verifying information for a loan in which the mortgagee would be entirely dependent on the property as security to protect its investment. Mortgagee procedures that evidence such due diligence shall be incorporated as part of the quality control plan required under §202.5(h) of this chapter. The Secretary shall publish guidelines for Direct Endorsement underwriting procedures in a handbook, which shall be provided to all mortgagees approved for the Direct Endorsement procedure. Compliance with these guidelines is deemed to be the minimum standard of due diligence in underwriting mortgages. (d) Mortgagor's income. The mortgagee shall evaluate the mortgagor's credit characteristics, adequacy and stability of income to meet the periodic payments under the mortgage and all other obligations, and the adequacy of the mortgagor's available assets to close the transaction, and render an underwriting decision in accordance with applicable regulations, policies and procedures. (e) Appraisal. (1) A mortgagee shall have the property appraised in accordance with such standards and requirements as the Secretary may prescribe. A mortgagee must select an appraiser whose name is on the FHA Appraiser Roster, in accordance with 24 CFR part 200, subpart G. (2) The mortgagee shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in the selection of an appraiser. (3) A mortgagee and an appraiser must ensure that an appraisal and related documentation satisfy FHA appraisal requirements and both bear responsibility for the quality of the appraisal in satisfying such requirements. A Direct Endorsement Mortgagee (and any of its loan correspondent lenders) that submits, or causes to be submitted, an appraisal or related documentation that does not satisfy FHA requirements is subject to administrative sanction by the Mortgagee Review Board pursuant to 24 CFR part 25 and part 30. [57 FR 58346, Dec. 9, 1992; 58 FR 13537, Mar. 12, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 50463, Oct. 3, 1994; 60 FR 42759, Aug. 16, 1995; 61 FR 36263, July 9, 1996; 62 FR 20088, Apr. 24, 1997; 62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997; 69 FR 43509, July 20, 2004] Under the Lender Insurance program, a mortgagee approved for the program conducts its own pre-insurance review, insures the mortgage, and agrees to indemnify HUD in accordance with §203.255(f). [62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997] For single family mortgage programs that are not eligible for Direct Endorsement processing under §203.5, or for Lender Insurance processing under §203.6, the mortgagee must submit an application for mortgage insurance in a form prescribed by the Secretary prior to making the mortgage loan. If: (a) A mortgage for a specified property has been accepted for insurance through issuance of a conditional commitment by the Secretary or a certificate of reasonable value by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (b) A specified mortgagor and all other proposed terms and conditions of the mortgage meet the eligibility requirements for insurance as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve the application for insurance by issuing a firm commitment setting forth the terms and conditions of insurance. [57 FR 58346, Dec. 9, 1992; 58 FR 13537, Mar. 12, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997]
Title 24: Housing and Urban Development
PART 203—SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE
Subpart A—Eligibility Requirements and Underwriting Procedures
Direct Endorsement, Lender Insurance, and Commitments
§ 203.1 Underwriting procedures.
§ 203.3 Approval of mortgagees for Direct Endorsement.
§ 203.4 Approval of mortgagees for Lender Insurance.
§ 203.5 Direct Endorsement process.
§ 203.6 Lender Insurance process.
§ 203.7 Commitment process.
Miscellaneous Regulations
§ 203.9 Disclosure regarding interest due upon mortgage prepayment.
Each mortgagee with respect to a mortgage under this part shall at or before closing with respect to any such mortgage, provide the mortgagor with written notice in a form prescribed by the Commissioner describing any requirements the mortgagor must fulfill upon prepayment of the principal amount of the mortgage to prevent the accrual of any interest on the principal amount after the date of such prepayment. This paragraph shall apply to any mortgage executed after August 22, 1991.
[56 FR 18947, Apr. 24, 1991]
§ 203.10 Informed consumer choice for prospective FHA mortgagors.
(a) Mortgagee to provide disclosure notice. A mortgagee must provide a prospective FHA mortgagor with an informed consumer choice disclosure notice if, in the mortgagees's judgment, the prospective FHA mortgagor may qualify for similar conventional mortgage products offered by the mortgagee. The mortgagee should base this judgment on the mortgagee's initial assessment of the prospective FHA mortgagor's eligibility for a conventional mortgage product. If a mortgagee is unsure about a prospective FHA mortgagor's eligibility for a conventional mortgage product, the mortgagee should provide the prospective FHA mortgagor with an informed consumer choice disclosure notice.
(b) Informed consumer choice disclosure notice—(1) Contents of notice. The informed consumer choice disclosure notice must:
(i) Provide a one page generic analysis comparing the mortgage costs of an FHA-insured mortgage with the mortgage costs of similar conventional mortgage products offered by the mortgagee that the prospective FHA mortgagor may qualify for;
(ii) Provide information about when the requirement to pay FHA mortgage insurance premiums terminates; and
(iii) Meet the requirements of section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)).
(2) Format of disclosure notice. The informed consumer choice disclosure notice must be provided in a format prescribed by the Commissioner. HUD has prepared a model informed consumer choice disclosure notice that represents this format and that meets the requirements of section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)). The model informed consumer choice disclosure notice contains the minimum elements of an informed consumer choice disclosure notice. These elements must be included in a mortgagee's informed consumer choice disclosure notice. A mortgagee, however, may include additional elements in an informed consumer choice disclosure notice to better reflect the mortgagee's products or to provide information that the mortgagee believes is meaningful and helpful to the mortgagee's customers.
(3) Availability of model disclosure notice. HUD's model informed consumer choice disclosure notice is made available to FHA-approved mortgagees through Mortgagee Letter and is available to the public through the internet at HUD's web site at http://www.hud.gov or by contacting: Home Mortgage Insurance Division, Office of Insured Single Family Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410–8000; telephone (202) 708–2700 (this is not a toll-free number), or the nearest HUD Homeownership Center (Atlanta, GA (888) 696–4687; Denver, CO (800) 543–9378; Philadelphia, PA (800) 440–8647; or Santa Ana, CA (888) 827–5605). Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access these numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
(c) Timing. When required under paragraph (a) of this section, a mortgagee must provide an informed consumer choice disclosure notice to a prospective FHA mortgagor not later than three business days after the mortgagee receives the prospective FHA mortgagor's application.
(d) Revision of notice. A mortgagee should revise its informed consumer choice disclosure notice periodically to reflect prevailing market conditions. To ensure that the informed consumer choice disclosure notice reflects prevailing market conditions, a mortgagee must revise its informed consumer choice disclosure notice at least once annually.
(e) Applicability. This section applies to any application for mortgage insurance authorized under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709) that the mortgagee receives on or after September 2, 1999.
(f) Definitions. As used in this section:
Application means the submission of financial information in anticipation of a credit decision.
Conventional mortgage means conventional mortgage as used in section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) or section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), as applicable.
Mortgagee means mortgagee as defined in §202.2 of this chapter.
Prospective FHA mortgagor means a person who submits an application to a mortgagee to obtain mortgage insurance authorized under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709).
[64 FR 29765, June 2, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 34984, June 30, 1999]
§ 203.12 Mortgage insurance on proposed or new construction.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to an application for insurance of a mortgage on a one-to four-family dwelling, unless the mortgage will be secured by a dwelling that:
(1) Was completed more than one year before the date of the application for insurance or, under the Direct Endorsement Program, was completed more than one year before the date of the appraisal; or
(2) Is being sold to a second or subsequent purchaser.
(b) Procedures. (1) Applications for insurance to which this section applies will be processed in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary. These procedures may only provide for endorsement for insurance of a mortgage covering a dwelling that is:
(i) Approved under the Direct Endorsement Program or the Lender Insurance Program; or
(ii) Located in a subdivision approved by the Rural Housing Service.
(2) The mortgagee must submit a signed Builder's Certification of Plans, Specifications and Site (Builder's Certification). The Builder's Certification must be in a form prescribed by the Secretary and must cover:
(i) Flood hazards;
(ii) Noise;
(iii) Explosive and flammable materials storage hazards;
(iv) Runway clear zones/clear zones;
(v) Toxic waste hazards;
(vi) Other foreseeable hazards or adverse conditions (i.e., rock formations, unstable soils or slopes, high ground water levels, inadequate surface drainage, springs, etc.) that may affect the health and safety of the occupants or the structural soundness of the improvements. The Builder's Certification must be provided to the appraiser for reference before the performance of an appraisal on the property.
(3) If a builder (or developer) intends to sell five or more properties in a subdivision, an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP) that meets the requirements of 24 CFR part 200, subpart M must be submitted and approved by HUD no later than the date of the first application for mortgage insurance in that subdivision. Thereafter, applications for insurance on other properties sold by the same builder (or developer) in the same subdivision may make reference to the existing previously approved AFHMP.
[64 FR 56110, Oct. 15, 1999]
§ 203.14 Builders' warranty.
Applications relating to proposed construction must be accompanied by an agreement in form satisfactory to the Secretary, executed by the seller or builder or such other person as the Secretary may require, and agreeing that in the event of any sale or conveyance of the dwelling, within a period of one year beginning with the date of initial occupancy, the seller, builder, or such other person will at the time of such sale or conveyance deliver to the purchaser or owner of such property a warranty in form satisfactory to the Secretary warranting that the dwelling is constructed in substantial conformity with the plans and specifications (including amendments thereof or changes and variations therein which have been approved in writing by the Secretary) on which the Secretary has based on the valuation of the dwelling. Such agreement must provide that upon the sale or conveyance of the dwelling and delivery of the warranty, the seller, builder or such other person will promptly furnish the Secretary with a conformed copy of the warranty establishing by the purchaser's receipt thereon that the original warranty has been delivered to the purchaser in accordance with this section.
[57 FR 58346, Dec. 9, 1992]
§ 203.15 Certification of appraisal amount.
An application with respect to insurance of mortgages must be accompanied by an agreement satisfactory to the Commissioner, executed by the seller, builder or such other person as may be required by the Commissioner, whereby the person agrees that before any sale of the dwelling, the person will deliver to the purchaser of the property a written statement, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner, setting forth the amount of the appraised value of the property as determined by the Commissioner.
[58 FR 41001, July 30, 1993]
§ 203.16 Certificate and contract regarding use of dwelling for transient or hotel purposes.
Every application filed with respect to insurance of mortgages on a two-, three-, or four-family dwelling, or a single-family dwelling which is one of a group of 5 or more single-family dwellings held by the same mortgagor, must be accompanied by a contract in form satisfactory to the Commissioner, signed by the proposed mortgagor covenanting and agreeing that so long as the proposed mortgage is insured by the Commissioner the mortgagor will not rent the housing or any part thereof covered by the mortgage for transient or hotel purposes, together with the mortgagor's certification under oath that the housing or any part thereof covered by the proposed mortgage will not be rented for transient or hotel purposes. For the purpose of this subchapter rental for transient or hotel purposes shall mean (a) rental for any period less than 30 days or (b) any rental if the occupants of the housing accommodations are provided customary hotel services such as room service for food and beverages, maid service, furnishing and laundering of linen, and bellboy service.
§ 203.16a Mortgagor and mortgagee requirement for maintaining flood insurance coverage.
(a) If the mortgage is to cover property improvements (dwelling and related structures/equipment essential to the value of the property and subject to flood damage) that:
(1) Are located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a floodplain area having special flood hazards, or
(2) Are otherwise determined by the Commissioner to be subject to a flood hazard, and if flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available with respect to these property improvements, the mortgagor and mortgagee shall be obligated, by a special condition to be included in the mortgage commitment, to obtain and to maintain NFIP flood insurance coverage on the property improvements during such time as the mortgage is insured.
(b) No mortgage may be insured that covers property improvements located in an area that has been identified by FEMA as an area having special flood hazards, unless the community in which the area is situated is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and such insurance is obtained by the mortgagor. Such requirement for flood insurance shall be effective one year after the date of notification by FEMA to the chief executive officer of a flood prone community that such community has been identified as having special flood hazards.
(c) The flood insurance must be maintained during such time as the mortgage is insured in an amount at least equal to either the outstanding balance of the mortgage, less estimated land costs, or the maximum amount of the NFIP insurance available with respect to the property improvements, whichever is less.
[64 FR 56111, Oct. 15, 1999]
Eligible Mortgages
§ 203.17 Mortgage provisions.
(a) Mortgage form. (1) The term mortgage as used in this part, except §203.43c, means a first lien as is commonly given to secure advances on, or the unpaid purchase price of, real estate under the laws of the jurisdiction where the property is located, and may refer both to a security instrument creating a lien, whether called a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or another term used in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the credit instrument, or note, secured thereby.
(2)(i) The mortgage shall be in a form meeting the requirements of the Commissioner. The Commissioner may prescribe complete mortgage instruments. For each case in which the Commissioner does not prescribe complete mortgage instruments, the Commissioner
(A) Shall require specific language in the mortgage which shall be uniform for every mortgage, and
(B) May also prescribe the language or substance of additional provisions for all mortgages as well as the language or substance of additional provisions for use only in particular jurisdictions or for particular programs.
(ii) Each mortgage shall also contian any provisions necessary to create a valid and enforceable secured debt under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the property is located.
(b) Mortgage multiples. A mortgage shall involve a principal obligation in a multiple of $1.
(c) Payments. The mortgage shall:
(1) Come due on the first of the month.
(2) Contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary and an amortization period not in excess of the term of the mortgage.
(3) Provide for payments to principal and interest to begin not later than the first day of the month following 60 days from the date the mortgage is executed (or the date a construction mortgage is converted to a permanent mortgage, if applicable).
(d) Maturity. The mortgage shall have a term of not more than 30 years from the date of the beginning of amortization.
(e) Property Standards. The mortgage must be a first lien upon the property that conforms with property standards prescribed by the Commissioner.
(f) Disbursement. The entire principal amount of the mortgage must have been disbursed to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors for his or her account and with his or her consent.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 45 FR 29278, May 2, 1980; 48 FR 28804, June 23, 1983; 49 FR 21319, May 21, 1984; 53 FR 34281, Sept. 6, 1988; 54 FR 39525, Sept. 27, 1989; 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 61 FR 36263, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.18 Maximum mortgage amounts.
(a) Mortgagors of principal or secondary residences. The principal amount of the mortgage must not exceed the lesser of the following amounts that apply:
(1) The dollar amount limitation that applies for the area under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the National Housing Act including any increase in the dollar limitation under §203.29, as announced in accordance with §203.18(h);
(2)(i) The amount based on appraised value that is permitted by section 203(b)(10) of the National Housing Act, if that provision is in effect and applies to the mortgage; or
(ii) If section 203(b)(10) is not in effect or otherwise does not apply to the mortgage, the lesser of the amounts based on appraised value that are permitted by section 203(b)(2)(B) of the National Housing Act and paragraph (g) of this section;
(3) An amount equal to 90 percent of the appraised value, if the dwelling is a new home that was completed 1 year or less from the date of the mortgage insurance application and the dwelling is neither approved before the beginning of construction or covered by an acceptable consumer protection or warranty plan as provided in section 203(b)(2)(B) of the National Housing Act; or
(4) An amount equal to 85 percent of the appraised value if the mortgage covers a dwelling that is to be occupied as a secondary residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(2) of this section).
(b) Veteran qualifications. The special veteran terms provided in section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act shall apply only if the mortgagor submits one of the following certifications:
(1) A certification issued by the Secretary of Defense establishing that the veteran performed extra hazardous service while serving in the armed forces for a period of less than 90 days; or
(2) A Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs establishing that the person served 90 days or more on active duty in the armed forces (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, the Army Reserve, the Naval Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the National Guard of the United States, or the Air National Guard of the United States); that he or she enlisted before September 8, 1980; and that he or she was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable (a copy of the veteran's discharge papers or Form DD–214 shall be submitted with the certificate); or
(3) A Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs establishing that the person:
(i)(A) Originally enlisted in a regular component of the armed forces after September 7, 1980; or entered on active duty after October 16, 1981, and he or she had not previously completed a period of active duty of at least 24 months or been discharged or released from active duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171; and
(B) Has completed, since enlistment or entering on active duty, either:
(1) Twenty-four months of continuous active duty, or the full period for which he or she was called or ordered to active duty, whichever is shorter; or
(2) Any other period of active duty if he or she was discharged or released from duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173; was discharged or released from duty for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or has a disability which the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined to be compensable under 38 U.S.C. chap. 11; and
(ii) Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable (a copy of the veteran's discharge papers or Form DD–214 shall be submitted with the certification).
(c) Eligible non-occupant mortgagors. A mortgage may be executed by an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as that term is defined in paragraph (f)(3) of this section) for up to an amount authorized for the appropriate loan type in paragraph (a) of this section except where a lesser amount is expressly provided for in this part.
(d) Outlying area properties. A mortgage covering a single family residence located in an area in which the Commissioner finds that it is not practicable to obtain conformity with many of the requirements essential to the insurance of mortgages in built-up, urban areas; or a mortgage covering a single family dwelling that is to be used as a farm home on a plot of land that is two and one-half or more acres in size and adjacent to an all-weather public road, may not exceed:
(1) In the case of a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this section):
(i) 75 percent of the dollar limitation under (a)(1).
(ii) 97 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, if:
(A) The Commissioner approved the dwelling for insurance before the beginning of construction; or
(B) Construction was completed more than one year before the date of the application for insurance; or
(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs approved the dwelling for guaranty, insurance, or direct loan before the beginning of construction.
(iii) If the property does not meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, 90 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.
(2) In the case of a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a secondary residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(2) of this section):
(i) The amount permitted in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, or
(ii) 85 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.
(e) Disaster victims. A mortgage covering a single family dwelling, in an amount not in excess of the maximum dollar limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section (unless a higher maximum mortgage amount is authorized under §203.29), and not in excess of the lesser of 100 percent of the appraised value of the property or the cost of acquisition as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, shall be eligible for insurance if:
(1) The mortgage is executed by a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this section);
(2) The mortgagor establishes that the home which he or she previously occupied as owner or tenant was destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is required as a result of a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, riot or civil disorder or other catastrophe which the President has determined to be a major disaster; and
(3) The application for insurance is filed within one year from the date of such presidential determination, or within such additional period of time as the period of federal assistance with respect to such disaster may be extended.
(f) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Principal residence means the dwelling where the mortgagor maintains (or will maintain) his or her permanent place of abode, and typically spends (or will spend) the majority of the calendar year. A person may have only one principal residence at any one time.
(2) Secondary residence means a dwelling: (i) Where the mortgagor maintains or will maintain a part-time place of abode and typically spends (or will spend) less than a majority of the calendar year; (ii) which is not a vacation home; and (iii) which the Commissioner has determined to be eligible for insurance in order to avoid undue hardship to the mortgagor. A person may have only one secondary residence at a time.
(3) Eligible non-occupant mortgagor means a mortgagor (or co-mortgagor, as appropriate) who is not to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or a secondary residence and who is—
(i) A public entity, as provided in section 214 or 247 of the National Housing Act, or any other State or local government or agency thereof;
(ii) A private nonprofit or public entity, as provided in section 221(h) or 235(j) of the National Housing Act, or other private nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and intends to sell or lease the mortgaged property to low or moderate income persons, as determined by the Secretary;
(iii) An Indian tribe, as provided in section 248 of the National Housing Act;
(iv) A serviceperson who is unable to meet the occupancy requirement because of his or her duty assignment, as provided in section 216 of the National Housing Act or subsection (b)(4) or (f) of section 222 of the National Housing Act;
(v) A mortgagor or co-mortgagor under subsection 203(k) of the National Housing Act; or
(vi) A mortgagor who, pursuant to §203.43(c) of this part, is refinancing an existing mortgage insured under the National Housing Act for not more than the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage, if the amount of the monthly payment due under the refinancing mortgage is less than the amount due under the existing mortgage for the month in which the refinancing mortgage is executed.
(4) Appraised value means the sum of:
(i) The lesser of sales price (with any adjustments required by the Secretary) or the amount set forth in the written statement required under §203.15; and
(ii) Borrower-paid closing costs allowed under §203.27(a)(1)–(3), except that closing costs do not apply if section 203(b)(10) of the National Housing Act is in effect and neither sales price nor closing costs apply for purposes of paragraph (g) of this section.
(5) Undue hardship means that affordable housing which meets the needs of the mortgagor is not available for lease, or within reasonable commuting distance from the mortgagor's home to his or her work place.
(6) Vacation home means a dwelling that is used primarily for recreational purposes and enjoyment, and that is not a primary or secondary residence.
(g) Maximum principal obligation. Except for mortgages meeting the requirements of §203.18(b), §203.18(e) or §203.50(f), and notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a mortgage may not involve a principal obligation in excess of 98.75 percent of the appraised value of the property (97.75 percent, in the case of a mortgage with an appraised value in excess of $50,000), plus the amount of the mortgage insurance premium paid at the time the mortgage is insured.
(h) Notice of maximum mortgage amount. A maximum mortgage amount based on the 1-family median house price for an area under paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be made effective by:
(1) Providing direct notice to affected mortgagees through an administrative issuance; or
(2) Publishing a notice in the
(i) Energy efficient mortgages. The principal amount of energy efficient mortgages may exceed the maximum amounts determined under paragraph (a)(1) of this section under conditions prescribed by the Secretary in accordance with section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971]
Editorial Note: For
§ 203.18a Solar energy system.
(a) The dollar limitation provided in §203.18(a) may be increased by up to 20 percent if such an increase is necessary to account for the increased cost of the residence due to the installation of a solar energy system.
(b) Solar energy system is defined as any addition, alteration, or improvement to an existing or new structure which is designed to utilize wind energy or solar energy either of the active type based on mechanically forced energy transfer or of the passive type based on convective, conductive, or radiant energy transfer or some combination of these types to reduce the energy requirements of that structure from other energy sources and which is in conformity with such criteria and standards as shall be prescribed by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.
[45 FR 51770, Aug. 5, 1980]
§ 203.18b Increased mortgage amount.
(a) If any party believes that a mortgage limit established by the Secretary under §203.18(a)(1) does not accurately reflect the median house prices in an area, the party may submit documentation in support of an alternative mortgage limit. For purposes of this section, an area (1) must be at least the size of a county, whether or not the area is located within a metropolitan statistical area, as established by the Office of Management and Budget; and (2) may be an area for which the mortgage limits established under §203.18(b)(1) apply.
(b)(1) The documentation referred to in paragraph (a) of this section must consist of sufficient housing sales price data for the entire geographic area for which the request is made to justify an alternative mortgage limit. The documentation should include a listing of actual sales prices in the area for all or nearly all new and existing 1-family homes and condominiums, over a period of time varies with sales volume, as follows:
(i) For 500 or more sales per month, a one-month reporting period;
(ii) For 250 through 499 sales per month, a two-month reporting period.
(iii) For less than 250 sales per month, a three-month reporting period.
The listing should contain a brief address for each property, its county location, its sale price, the month and year of its sale, and whether it is new or existing. In areas where the ratio of existing sales to new sales is three-to-one or greater, an increase in the mortgage limit may be based on 95 percent of the average of the new and the existing median sales prices. In these areas, the documentation referred to in this paragraph may also include separate median sales prices for both the new and existing homes.
(2) Requests for an increased mortgage limit based upon documentation of median house prices for the area should be sent to the appropriate HUD field office.
(c) In the case of an area where the Commissioner determines that the median one-family house price does not reasonably reflect the sales prices of newly constructed homes because of an existing stock whose value is static or declining, the Commissioner may give greater weight to the sales prices of new homes in determining median house price in such area. Without limiting the discretion of the Commissioner in fashioning appropriate methods of implementing the foregoing authority in particular circumstances based upon a demonstration of good cause satisfactory to the Commissioner, in areas where evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner indicates that existing home sales outnumber new home sales by three-to-one or better, the median sales price will be calculated as the greater of (1) the average of the median sales price for new and existing homes, and (2) the composite median price of all sales.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0302)[45 FR 76377, Nov. 18, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 917, Jan. 7, 1982; 49 FR 12697, Mar. 30, 1984; 49 FR 14338, Apr. 11, 1984; 53 FR 8880, Mar. 18, 1988; 56 FR 18947, Apr. 24, 1991; 58 FR 41002, July 30, 1993; 59 FR 13882, Mar. 24, 1994; 60 FR 16033, Mar. 28, 1995]
§ 203.18c One-time or up-front mortgage insurance premium excluded from limitations on maximum mortgage amounts.
After determining any maximum insurable mortgage amount under the provisions of this subpart, the maximum insurable amount of any mortgage may be increased by the amount of any one-time or up-front mortgage insurance premium that will be financed as part of the mortgage.
[57 FR 15211, Apr. 24, 1992]
§ 203.18d Minimum principal loan amount.
A mortgagee may not require, as a condition of providing a loan secured by a mortgage insured under this part, that the principal amount of the mortgage exceed a minimum amount established by the mortgagee.
[53 FR 8880, Mar. 18, 1988]
§ 203.19 Mortgagor's minimum investment.
(a) At the time the mortgage is insured, the mortgagor shall have paid in cash or its equivalent the following minimum amount:
(1) In all cases (except those involving a veteran meeting the requirements of §203.18(b) or a disaster victim meeting the requirements of §203.18(e)), the minimum investment shall be at least 3 percent of the Commissioner's estimate of the cost of acquisition (excluding the amount of any one-time mortgage insurance premium payable in accordance with §203.280) or such other larger amount as the Commissioner may determine.
(2) In a case involving a veteran meeting the requirements of §203.18(a)(3) or a disaster victim meeting the requirements of §203.18(e), the minimum investment shall be $200 which may include settlement costs, initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premiums, mortgage insurance premiums, and other prepaid expenses as approved by the Commissioner.
(b) A mortgagor who is 60 years of age or older, as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, or whose mortgage meets the requirements of and is to be insured pursuant to §203.18(d), or who is purchasing a single-family home under a low income housing demonstration project which is being assisted by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 207 of the Housing Act of 1961 or who is purchasing a housing unit in connection with a homeownership program under the Homeownership and Opportunity Through HOPE Act, may obtain a loan to meet the payment required by paragraph (a) of this section and to pay settlement costs. Such loan shall be from a corporation or person satisfactory to the Commissioner. The settlement costs paid with the loan may include initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premium, mortgage insurance premium, and other prepaid expenses, as determined by the Commissioner. As security for the loan, the mortgagor may give a note or other evidence of indebtedness bearing interest at a rate not in excess of that permitted in the insured mortgage. The aggregate amount of the insured mortgage and the loan referred to in this section shall not exceed an amount equal to the Commissioner's estimate of the appraised value of the property, plus an amount equal to the initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premium, mortgage insurance premium, and other prepaid expenses, as determined by the Commissioner.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 48 FR 44067, Sept. 27, 1983; 50 FR 40195, Oct. 2, 1985; 53 FR 8880, Mar. 18, 1988; 56 FR 4477, Feb. 4, 1991; 61 FR 36263, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.20 Agreed interest rate.
(a) The mortgage shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor.
(b) Interest shall be payable in monthly installments on the principal amount of the mortgage outstanding on the due date of each installment.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 49 FR 19457, May 8, 1984]
§ 203.21 Amortization provisions.
The mortgage must contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Commissioner, requiring monthly payments by the mortgagor not in excess of his reasonable ability to pay as determined by the Commissioner. The sum of the principal and interest payments in each month shall be substantially the same.
§ 203.22 Payment of insurance premiums or charges; prepayment privilege.
(a) Payment of periodic insurance premiums or charges. Except with respect to mortgages for which a one-time mortgage insurance premium is paid pursuant to §203.280, the mortgage may provide for monthly payments by the mortgagor to the mortgagee of an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual mortgage insurance premium payable by the mortgagee to the Commissioner. Such payments continue only so long as the contract of insurance shall remain in effect or for such shorter period as mortgage insurance premiums are payable by the mortgagee to the Commissioner.
(b) Prepayment privilege. The mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part on any installment due date, but shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 8661, Apr. 29, 1972; 48 FR 28804, June 23, 1983; 50 FR 25914, June 24, 1985; 61 FR 36263, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.23 Mortgagor's payments to include other charges.
(a) The mortgage shall provide for such equal monthly payments by the mortgagor to the mortgagee as will amortize:
(1) The ground rents, if any;
(2) The estimated amount of all taxes;
(3) Special assessments, if any;
(4) Flood insurance premiums, if flood insurance is required by the Commissioner; and
(5) Fire and other hazard insurance premiums, if any. The mortgage shall further provide that such payments shall be held by the mortgagee in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner for the purpose of paying such ground rents, taxes, assessments, and insurance premiums before the same become delinquent, for the benefit and account of the mortgagor. The mortgage must also make provisions for adjustments in case the estimated amount of such taxes, assessments, and insurance premiums shall prove to be more, or less, than the actual amount thereof so paid by the mortgagor. Such payments shall be held in an escrow subject to §203.550.
(b) The mortgagor shall not be required to pay premiums for fire or other hazard insurance which protects only the interests of the mortgagee, or for life or disability income insurance, or fees charged for obtaining information necessary for the payment of property taxes. The foregoing does not apply to charges made or penalties exacted by the taxing authority, except that a penalty assessed or interest charged by a taxing authority for failure to timely pay taxes or assessments shall not be charged by the mortgagee to the mortgagor if the mortgagee had sufficient funds in escrow for the account of the mortgagor to pay such taxes or assessments prior to the date on which penalty or interest charges are imposed.
(c) Mortgages involving a principal obligation not in excess of $9,000 may contain a provision requiring the mortgagor to pay to the mortgagee an annual service charge at such rate as may be agreed upon between the mortgagee and the mortgagor, but in no case shall such service charge exceed one-half of one percent per annum. Any such service charge shall be payable in monthly installments on the principal then outstanding. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to mortgages endorsed for insurance pursuant to applications received by the Commissioner on or after July 17, 1961.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 25231, Nov. 29, 1972; 41 FR 47934, Nov. 10, 1976; 59 FR 53901, Oct. 26, 1994]
§ 203.24 Application of payments.
(a) All monthly payments to be made by the mortgagor to the mortgagee shall be added together and the aggregate amount thereof shall be paid by the mortgagor each month in a single payment. The mortgagee shall apply the same to the following items in the order set forth:
(1) Premium charges under the contract of insurance (other than a one-time or up-front mortgage insurance premium paid in accordance with §§203.280, 203.284 and 203.285), charges for ground rents, taxes, special assessments, flood insurance premiums, if required, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums;
(2) Interest on the mortgage;
(3) Amortization of the principal of the mortgage; and
(4) Late charges, if permitted under the terms of the mortgage and subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may prescribe.
(b) Any deficiency in the amount of any such aggregate monthly payment shall, unless made good by the mortgagor prior to, or on, the due date of the next such payment, constitute an event of default under the mortgage.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 25231, Nov. 29, 1972; 50 FR 25914, June 24, 1985; 61 FR 36263, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.25 Late charge.
The mortgage may provide for the collection by the mortgagee of a late charge, not to exceed four per cent of the amount of each payment more than 15 days in arrears, to cover servicing and other costs attributable to the receipt of payments from mortgagors after the date upon which payment is due.
[41 FR 49734, Nov. 10, 1976]
§ 203.26 Mortgagor's payments when mortgage is executed.
(a) The mortgagor must pay to the mortgagee, upon execution of the mortgage, a sum that will be sufficient to pay the ground rents, if any, the estimated taxes, special assessments, flood insurance premiums, if required, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums for the period beginning on the last date on which each such charge would have been paid under the normal lending practices of the lender and local custom (if each such date constitutes prudent lending practice), and ending on the due date of the first full installment payment under the mortgage, plus an amount sufficient to pay the mortgage insurance premium from the date of closing the loan to the date of the first monthly payment under the mortgage or, where applicable, the one-time mortgage insurance premium payable pursuant to §203.280.
(b) The mortgagee may also collect from the mortgagor a sum not exceeding one-sixth of the estimated total amount of such taxes, special assessments, insurance premiums and other charges to be paid during the ensuing 12-month period.
[41 FR 49734, Nov. 10, 1976, as amended at 48 FR 28804, June 23, 1983]
§ 203.27 Charges, fees or discounts.
(a) The mortgagee may collect from the mortgagor the following charges, fees or discounts:
(1) [Reserved]
(2) A charge to compensate the mortgagee for expenses incurred in originating and closing the loan, the charge not to exceed:
(i) $20 dollars or one percent of the original principal amount of the mortgage (excluding any one-time mortgage insurance premium paid pursuant to §203.280), whichever is the greater; or
(ii) $350 dollars or two and one-half percent of the original principal amount of the mortgage (excluding any one-time mortgage insurance premium paid pursuant to §203.280), whichever is the greater, with respect to mortgages on property under construction or to be constructed where the mortgagee makes partial disbursements and inspections of the property during the progress of construction.
(iii) If the mortgage involves repair or rehabilitation, and the mortgagee meets the conditions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section relating to disbursements and inspections, the charge prescribed in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section may be collected in connection with that portion of the mortgage applied to such repair or rehabilitation. The charge with respect to any part of the mortgage not applied to repair or rehabilitation, or any part of the mortgage so applied which does not meet the conditions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section relating to disbursements and inspections, shall be limited to that provided in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.
(3) Reasonable and customary amounts, but not more than the amount actually paid by the mortgagee, for any of the following items:
(i) Recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to recordation;
(ii) Credit Report;
(iii) Survey, if required by mortgagee or mortgagor;
(iv) Title examination; title insurance, if any;
(v) Fees paid to an appraiser or inspector approved by the Commissioner for the appraisal and inspection, if required, of the property. Notwithstanding any limitations in this paragraph (a)(3) if the mortgagee is permitted by applicable regulations to use the services of staff appraisers and inspectors for processing mortgages, and does so, the mortgagee may collect from the mortgagor the reasonable and customary amounts for such appraisals and inspections.
(vi) Such other reasonable and customary charges as may be authorized by the Commissioner.
(4) Reasonable and customary charges in the nature of discounts.
(5) Interest from the date of closing or the date on which the mortgagee disburses the mortgage proceeds to the account of the mortgagor or the mortgagor's creditors, whichever is later, to the date of the beginning of amortization.
(b)–(c) [Reserved]
(d) Before the insurance of any mortgage, the mortgagee shall furnish to the Secretary a signed statement in a form satisfactory to the Secretary listing any charge, fee or discount collected by the mortgagee from the mortgagor. All charges, fees or discounts are subject to review by the Secretary both before and after endorsement under §203.255.
(e) Nothing in this section will be construed as prohibiting the mortgagor from dealing through a broker who does not represent the mortgagee, if he prefers to do so, and paying such compensation as is satisfactory to the mortgagor in order to obtain mortgage financing.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 43 FR 19846, May 9, 1978; 45 FR 30602, May 8, 1980; 45 FR 33966, May 21, 1980; 47 FR 29525, July 7, 1982; 48 FR 11940, Mar. 22, 1983; 48 FR 28804, June 23, 1983; 49 FR 19457, May 8, 1984; 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 58 FR 13537, Mar. 12, 1993]
§ 203.28 Economic soundness of projects.
The mortgage must be executed with respect to a project which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is economically sound, except that this section shall not apply in each of the following instances:
(a) To a mortgage of the character described in §203.18(d) and with respect to such a mortgage, the Commissioner shall determine that the mortgage is an acceptable risk giving consideration to the need for providing adequate housing for families of low and moderate income, particularly in suburban and outlying areas or small communities.
(b) To a mortgage of the character described in §203.18 (e).
(c) To a mortgage of the character described in §203.43a.
(d) To a mortgage in a federally impacted area described in §203.43e.
(e) To a rehabilitation loan of the character described in §203.50.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 42 FR 57434, Nov. 2, 1977; 45 FR 33966, May 21, 1980; 53 FR 8880, Mar. 18, 1988]
§ 203.29 Eligible mortgages in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands.
(a) When is an increased mortgage limit permitted for these areas? For Alaska, Guam, Hawaii or the Virgin Islands, the Commissioner may increase the maximum mortgage amount permitted by section 203(b)(2)(A) of the National Housing Act when authorized by section 214 of that Act, through the procedures described in §203.18(h).
(b) If a party believes that the otherwise applicable mortgage limit needs to be increased to reflect the extent to which high costs make it infeasible to construct dwellings without sacrificing sound standards of construction, design or livability, the party may submit documentation in support of an alternative mortgage limit. This documentation should include actual or estimated costs of such items as design, construction, materials, and labor. In addition, actual sales prices of new homes may be submitted, together with any other documentation requested by the Commissioner. Requests for alternative mortgage limits, together with supporting documentation should be sent to the appropriate HUD field office. The field office will forward the request and supporting material, with the field office's recommendation, to the Commissioner for determination.
(c) If the Alaska Housing Authority, or the Government of Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands or any agency or instrumentality of those entities, is the mortgagor or the mortgagee, or the mortgagor is regulated or restricted as to rents or sales, charges, capital structure, rate of return, and methods of operation to such an extent and in such manner as the Commissioner determines advisable to provide reasonable rental and sales prices and a reasonable return on the investment, any mortgage otherwise eligible for insurance under this subpart may be insured:
(1) In any case where the Alaska Housing Authority, or the government of Guam, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, or any agency or instrumentality of those entities, is the mortgagor, without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or a secondary residence (as these terms are defined in §203.18(f)), or meet loan-to-value or comparable limitations based on the failure of the mortgagor to meet this occupancy requirement;
(2) Without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor has paid on account of the property a prescribed percentage of the appraised value of the property; or
(3) Without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor certify that the mortgaged property is free and clear of all liens other than the mortgage offered for insurance and that there will not be any unpaid obligations contracted in connection with the mortgage transaction or the purchase of the mortgaged property.
(d) The provisions of §203.28 requiring economic soundness shall not be applicable to mortgages covering property located in Alaska, in Guam, in Hawaii, or in the Virgin Islands, but the Commissioner shall find that the property or project is an acceptable risk, giving consideration to the acute housing shortage in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0302)[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 49 FR 14338, Apr. 11, 1984; 55 FR 34804, Aug. 24, 1990; 56 FR 18948, Apr. 24, 1991; 64 FR 14569, Mar. 25, 1999]
§ 203.30 Certificate of nondiscrimination by the mortgagor.
The mortgagor shall certify to the Commissioner as to each of the following points:
(a) That neither he, nor anyone authorized to act for him, will refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bonafide offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny the dwelling or property covered by the mortgage to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status (except as provided by law), or handicap.
(b) That any restrictive covenant on such property relating to race, color, religion, or national origin is recognized as being illegal and void and is hereby specifically disclaimed.
(c) That civil action for preventative relief may be brought by the Attorney General in any appropriate U.S. District Court against any person responsible for a violation of this certification.
(d) That buildings having four (4) or more units, which were built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, were constructed in compliance with the Fair Housing Act new construction requirements in 24 CFR 100.205.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.31 Mortgagor of a principal residence in military service cases.
(a) A mortgage that is otherwise eligible for insurance under any of the provisions of this part may be insured without regard to any requirement contained in this part that the mortgagor occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)) at the time of insurance, or that the mortgagor meet loan-to-value or comparable limitations based on the failure of the mortgagor to meet an occupancy requirement, if:
(1) The Commissioner is satisfied that the inability of the mortgagor to meet the occupancy requirement is by reason of his or her entry into military service after the filing of an application for insurance; and
(2) The mortgagor expresses an intent (in such form as the Commissioner may prescribe), to meet the occupancy requirement upon his or her discharge from the service.
(b) A serviceperson will also be considered to meet the occupancy requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of this section for mortgage insurance purposes, if the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The serviceperson and his or her family expect to meet the occupancy requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of this section for two or more years. The Commissioner may shorten this period to one year, if (i) the serviceperson's family will occupy the property for at least one year and (ii) the serviceperson is assigned to a combat zone or other hazardous duty area where the family cannot accompany him or her; and
(2) The property is located in an area in which the prospects of resale are reasonable.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0059)[55 FR 34804, Aug. 24, 1990]
Eligible Mortgagors
§ 203.32 Mortgage lien.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a mortgagor must establish that, after the mortgage offered for insurance has been recorded, the mortgaged property will be free and clear of all liens other than such mortgage, and that there will not be outstanding any other unpaid obligations contracted in connection with the mortgage transaction or the purchase of the mortgaged property, except obligations that are secured by property or collateral owned by the mortgagor independently of the mortgaged property.
(b) With prior approval of the Secretary, the mortgaged property may be subject to a secondary mortgage or loan made or insured, or other secondary lien held, by a Federal, State, or local government agency or instrumentality, or an entity designated in the homeownership plan submitted by an applicant for an implementation grant under the Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere (HOPE) program, or an eligible nonprofit organization as defined in §203.41(a)(5) of this part, provided that the required monthly payments under the insured mortgage and the secondary mortgage or lien shall not exceed the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay as determined by the Secretary.
(c) With the prior approval of the Secretary, the mortgaged property may be subject to a second mortgage held by a mortgagee not described in paragraph (b) of this section. Unless the mortgage is for the purpose described in paragraph (d) of this section, it shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The required monthly payments under the insured mortgage and the second mortgage shall not exceed the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay, as determined by the Commissioner;
(2) Periodic payments, if any, shall be collected monthly and be substantially the same;
(3) The sum of the principal amount of the insured mortgage and the second mortgage shall not exceed the loan-to-value limitation applicable to the insured mortgage, and shall not exceed the maximum mortgage limit for the area;
(4) The repayment terms shall not provide for a balloon payment before ten years, or for such other term as the Commissioner may approve, except that the mortgage may become due and payable on sale or refinancing of the secured property covered by the insured mortgage; and
(5) The mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part at any time, and shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment.
(d)(1) With the prior approval of the Commissioner, the mortgaged property may be subject to a junior (second or third) mortgage securing the repayment of funds advanced to reduce the mortgagor's monthly payments on the insured mortgage following the date it is insured, if the junior mortgage meets the following requirements:
(i) The junior mortgage shall not provide for any payment of principal or interest until the property securing the junior mortgage is sold or the insured mortgage is refinanced, at which time the junior mortgage shall become due and payable;
(ii) The total amount of repayments under the junior mortgage shall not exceed the least of:
(A) One-half of the mortgagor's equity interest in the property at the time of sale or refinancing;
(B) Three times the amount of funds advanced to effect the interest rate buy-down; or
(C) The sum of the original loan amount plus the total accrued interest on the junior mortgage at the time of repayment; and
(iii) The junior mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part at any time, and shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment. Any full or partial prepayment will not be recoverable by the mortgagor if, by application of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) on sale or refinancing of the property, a lesser amount than the amount prepaid would have been due.
(2) The sum of the principal amount of the insured mortgage, any second mortgage made under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, and the mortgage securing the repayment of funds advanced to reduce the borrower's monthly payments (whether a second or third mortgage) may exceed the loan-to-value limitation applicable to the insured mortgage, but such sum may not exceed the maximum mortgage limit for the area.
[45 FR 19223, Mar. 25, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 20906, May 21, 1985; 56 FR 4477, Feb. 4, 1991; 58 FR 42647, Aug. 11, 1993]
§ 203.33 Relationship of income to mortgage payments.
(a) Adequacy of mortgagor's gross income. A mortgagor must establish, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that his or her gross income is and will be adequate to meet (1) the periodic payments required by the mortgage submitted for insurance and (2) other long-term obligations.
(b) Determinations of adequacy of mortgagor income under this section shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap, marital status, source of income of the mortgagor or location of the property.
[37 FR 16390, Aug. 12, 1972, as amended at 54 FR 38649, Sept. 20, 1989; 59 FR 59648, Nov. 18, 1994]
§ 203.34 Credit standing.
A mortgagor must have a general credit standing satisfactory to the Commissioner.
§ 203.35 Disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers.
To be eligible for mortgage insurance under this part, the mortgagor must meet the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers, as provided by part 200, subpart U, of this chapter.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 2502–0059, 2502–0159, and 2502–0268)[54 FR 39693, Sept. 27, 1989]
§ 203.36 [Reserved]
Eligible Properties
§ 203.37 Nature of title to realty.
A mortgage, to be eligible for insurance, must be on real estate held in fee simple, or on leasehold under a lease for not less than 99 years which is renewable, or under a lease having a period of not less than 10 years to run beyond the maturity date of the mortgage.
[49 FR 21319, May 21, 1984]
§ 203.37a Sale of property.
(a) Sale by owner of record—(1) Owner of record requirement. To be eligible for a mortgage insured by FHA, the property must be purchased from the owner of record and the transaction may not involve any sale or assignment of the sales contract.
(2) Supporting documentation. The mortgagee shall obtain documentation verifying that the seller is the owner of record and must submit this documentation to HUD as part of the application for mortgage insurance, in accordance with §203.255(b)(12). This documentation may include, but is not limited to, a property sales history report, a copy of the recorded deed from the seller, or other documentation (such as a copy of a property tax bill, title commitment, or binder) demonstrating the seller's ownership.
(b) Time restrictions on re-sales—(1) General. The eligibility of a property for a mortgage insured by FHA is dependent on the time that has elapsed between the date the seller acquired the property (based upon the date of settlement) and the date of execution of the sales contract that will result in the FHA mortgage insurance (the re-sale date). The mortgagee shall obtain documentation verifying compliance with the time restrictions described in this paragraph and must submit this documentation to HUD as part of the application for mortgage insurance, in accordance with §203.255(b).
(2) Re-sales occurring 90 days or less following acquisition. If the re-sale date is 90 days or less following the date of acquisition by the seller, the property is not eligible for a mortgage to be insured by FHA.
(3) Re-sales occurring between 91 days and 180 days following acquisition. (i) If the re-sale date is between 91 days and 180 days following acquisition by the seller, the property is generally eligible for a mortgage insured by FHA.
(ii) However, HUD will require that the mortgagee obtain additional documentation if the re-sale price is 100 percent over the purchase price. Such documentation must include an appraisal from another appraiser. The mortgagee may also document its loan file to support the increased value by establishing that the increased value results from the rehabilitation of the property.
(iii) HUD may revise the level at which additional documentation is required under §203.37a(b)(3) at 50 to 150 percent over the original purchase price. HUD will revise this level by
(4) Authority to address property flipping for re-sales occurring between 91 days and 12 months following acquisition. (i) If the re-sale date is more than 90 days after the date of acquisition by the seller, but before the end of the twelfth month after the date of acquisition, the property is eligible for a mortgage to be insured by FHA.
(ii) However, HUD may require that the lender provide additional documentation to support the re-sale value of the property if the re-sale price is 5 percent or greater than the lowest sales price of the property during the preceding 12 months (as evidenced by the contract of sale). At HUD's discretion, such documentation must include, but is not limited to, an appraisal from another appraiser. HUD may exclude re-sales of less than a specific dollar amount from the additional value documentation requirements.
(iii) If the additional value documentation supports a value of the property that is more than 5 percent lower than the value supported by the first appraisal, the lower value will be used to calculate the maximum mortgage amount under §203.18. Otherwise, the value supported by the first appraisal will be used to calculate the maximum mortgage amount.
(iv) HUD will announce its determination to require additional value documentation through issuance of a
(v) The level at which additional documentation is required under §203.37a(b)(4) shall supersede that under §203.37a(b)(3).
(5) Re-sales occurring more than 12 months following acquisition. If the re-sale date is more than 12 months following the date of acquisition by the seller, the property is eligible for a mortgage insured by FHA.
(c) Exceptions to the time restrictions on sales. The time restrictions on sales described in paragraph (b) of this section do not apply to:
(1) Sales by HUD of Real Estate-Owned (REO) properties under 24 CFR part 291 and of single family assets in revitalization areas pursuant to section 204 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1710);
(2) Sales by another agency of the United States Government of REO single family properties pursuant to programs operated by these agencies;
(3) Sales of properties by nonprofit organizations approved to purchase HUD REO single family properties at a discount with resale restrictions;
(4) Sales of properties that were acquired by the sellers by inheritance;
(5) Sales of properties purchased by an employer or relocation agency in connection with the relocation of an employee;
(6) Sales of properties by state- and federally-chartered financial institutions and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs);
(7) Sales of properties by local and state government agencies; and
(8) Only upon announcement by HUD through issuance of a notice, sales of properties located in areas designated by the President as federal disaster areas. The notice will specify how long the exception will be in effect.
(d) Sanctions and indemnification. Failure of a mortgagee to comply with the requirements of this section may result in HUD requesting indemnification of the mortgage loan, or seeking other appropriate remedies under 24 CFR part 25.
[68 FR 23375, May 1, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 77116, Dec. 23, 2004; 71 FR 33142, June 7, 2006]
§ 203.38 Location of dwelling.
At the time a mortgage is insured there must be located on the mortgaged property one or more dwellings designed principally for residential use for not more than four families.
[61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.39 Standards for buildings.
The buildings on the mortgaged property must conform with the standards prescribed by the Commissioner.
§ 203.40 Location of property.
The mortgaged property shall be located within the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The mortgaged property, if otherwise acceptable to the Commissioner, may be located in any community where the housing standards meet the requirements of the Commissioner.
[49 FR 12697, Mar. 30, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.41 Free assumability; exceptions.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Low- or moderate-income housing means housing which is designed to be affordable, taking into account available financing, to individuals or families whose household income does not exceed 115 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families. The Secretary may approve a higher percentage up to 140 percent.
(2) Eligible governmental or nonprofit program means a program operated pursuant to a program established by Federal law, operated by a State or local government, or operated by an eligible nonprofit organization, if the program is designed to assist the purchase of low-or moderate-income housing including rental housing.
(3) Legal restrictions on conveyance means any provision in any legal instrument, law or regulation applicable to the mortgagor or the mortgaged property, including but not limited to a lease, deed, sales contract, declaration of covenants, declaration of condominium, option, right of first refusal, will, or trust agreement, that attempts to cause a conveyance (including a lease) made by the mortgagor to:
(i) Be void or voidable by a third party;
(ii) Be the basis of contractual liability of the mortgagor for breach of an agreement not to convey, including rights of first refusal, pre-emptive rights or options related to mortgagor efforts to convey;
(iii) Terminate or subject to termination all or a part of the interest held by the mortgagor in the mortgaged property if a conveyance is attempted;
(iv) Be subject to the consent of a third party;
(v) Be subject to limits on the amount of sales proceeds retainable by the seller; or
(vi) Be grounds for acceleration of the insured mortgage or increase in the interest rate.
(4) Tax-exempt bond financing means financing which is funded in whole or in part by the proceeds of qualified mortgage bonds described in section 143 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, or any successor section, on which the interest is exempt from Federal income tax. The term does not include financing by qualified veterans' mortgage bonds as defined in section 143(b) of the Code.
(5) Eligible nonprofit organization means an organization of the type described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as an organization exempt under section 501(a) of the Code, which has:
(i) Two years experience as a provider of low- or moderate-income housing;
(ii) A voluntary board; and
(iii) No part of its net earnings inuring to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor or individual.
(b) Policy of free assumability with no restrictions. A mortgage shall not be eligible for insurance if the mortgaged property is subject to legal restrictions on conveyance, except as permitted by this part.
(c) Exception for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs. Legal restrictions on conveyance are acceptable if:
(1) The restrictions are part of an eligible governmental or nonprofit program and are permitted by paragraph (d) of this section; and
(2) The restrictions will automatically terminate if title to the mortgaged property is transferred by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, or if the mortgage is assigned to the Secretary.
(d) Exception for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs—specific policies. For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, restrictions of the following types are permitted for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs, provided that a violation of legal restrictions on conveyance may not be grounds for acceleration of the insured mortgaged or for an increase in the interest rate, or for voiding a conveyance of the mortgagor's interest in the property, terminating the mortgagor's interest in the property, or subjecting the mortgagor to contractual liability other than requiring repayment (at a reasonable rate of interest) of assistance provided to make the property affordable as low- or moderate-income housing:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and the Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere (HOPE) programs, the mortgagor may be prohibited from selling the property at a price greater than the price permitted under the program, or the mortgagor may be required to pay a portion of the sales proceeds to a governmental body or an eligible nonprofit organization, as long as the mortgagor is not prohibited from recovering:
(i) The sum of the mortgagor's original purchase price, the mortgagor's reasonable costs of sale, the reasonable costs of improvements made by the mortgagor, and any negative amortization on a graduated payment mortgage insured under §203.45 of this part; and
(ii) A reasonable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the appreciation in value which shall be the sales price reduced by the sum determined under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.
(2) Legal restrictions on conveyance may extend beyond the term of the mortgage, subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section and any limitations applicable in the jurisdiction.
(3) Except as otherwise required by the HOME and HOPE programs, rights under an option to purchase, pre-emptive rights to purchase or rights of first refusal shall only be held by a governmental body or eligible nonprofit organization, or another individual or organization approved by the Secretary, and shall be exercised by them (or an assignee who will purchase and occupy the property) only within a reasonable time after the event permitting exercise of the rights occurs, not to exceed a period of time determined by the Secretary. The Secretary may approve another individual or organization under the preceding sentence even if the restriction is not part of an eligible governmental or nonprofit program.
(4) In addition to the restrictions stated in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the purchase price under an option may not be less than the sum of the mortgagor's original purchase price, the mortgagor's reasonable costs of sale, the reasonable costs of improvements made by seller, and a reasonable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the appreciation in value.
(5) The mortgagor may be required to continue to be an owner-occupant.
(6) The mortgagor may be limited in his or her ability to choose a purchaser for the property, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that the property is preserved as low- or moderate-income housing.
(7) The mortgagor for a rehabilitation loan insured under §203.50 of this part may hold title subject to a condition subsequent, provided that the holder of the right of entry for condition broken also executes the mortgage, and that the right is exercisable only for failure by the mortgagor to complete the rehabilitation or occupy the property as agreed by the mortgagor.
(8) Property may be subject to a legal restriction on conveyance to the extent approved in writing by an authorized representative of the Secretary prior to September 10, 1993.
(e) Exception for tax-exempt bond financing. A mortgage may be funded through tax-exempt bond financing and may include a due-on-sale provision in a form approved by the Secretary which permits the mortgagee to accelerate a mortgage that no longer meets Federal requirements for tax-exempt bond financing or for other reasons acceptable to the Secretary. Except as provided in this paragraph (e), a mortgage funded through tax-exempt bond financing shall comply with all form requirements prescribed under §203.17(a) of this part and shall contain no other provisions designed to enforce compliance with Federal or State requirements for tax-exempt bond financing. Other legal restrictions on conveyance are permitted as provided in other paragraphs of this section.
(f) Exception for protective covenants excluding non-elderly. Mortgaged property may be subject to protective covenants which prohibit or restrict occupancy by, or transfer to, persons who are not elderly if:
(1) The restrictions do not have an undue effect on marketability; and
(2) The restrictions do not constitute illegal discrimination and are consistent with the Fair Housing Act and all other applicable nondiscrimination laws.
(g) Exceptions for specific jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, mortgages insured on certain Indian land or Hawaiian home lands under sections 247 and 248 of the National Housing Act and §§203.43h and 203.43i of this part, or on property in the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa, shall not be ineligible for insurance under this section solely because applicable law does not permit free alienability of title to all persons.
[58 FR 42648, Aug. 11, 1993; 59 FR 15112, Mar. 31, 1994]
§ 203.42 Rental properties.
(a) A mortgage on property upon which there is a dwelling to be rented by the mortgagor shall not be eligible for insurance if the property is a part of, or adjacent or contiguous to, a project, or group of similar rental properties, in which the mortgagor has a financial interest in eight or more dwelling units.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply where:
(1) A mortgage qualifies as a rehabilitation loan under §203.50 of this part;
(2) The mortgage is to be used for the rehabilitation of property located in a specific area or neighborhood that has been targeted by a State or local government for redevelopment, in accordance with a specific program that involves substantial public or private commitments in support of neighborhood improvement or redevelopment; and
(3) The State or local government has approved, and has submitted to the Commissioner a plan describing the program of neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization, including the geographic area targeted for redevelopment, and the nature and proportion of public or private commitments that have been made in support of the redevelopment program.
(c) No two-, three-, or four-family dwelling, and no single-family dwelling, if it is part of a group of five or more single-family dwellings held by the same mortgagor, or any part or unit thereof, shall be rented or offered for rent for transient or hotel purposes, as defined in §203.16, so long as the dwelling is subject to any insured mortgage.
[56 FR 27692, June 17, 1991, as amended at 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.43 Eligibility of miscellaneous type mortgages.
(a) A mortgage which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.
(b) The mortgage may be accepted for insurance if:
(1) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, of any housing acquired or constructed under Public Law 849, Seventy-sixth Congress, as amended; Public Law 781, Seventy-sixth Congress, as amended; or Public Law 9, 73 or 353, Seventy-seventh Congress, as amended (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection with such housing or to serve the inhabitants thereof); or
(2) Executed in connection with the sale by the Public Housing Administration, or by any public housing agency with the approval of the said Administration, or any housing (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection with such housing or to serve the inhabitants thereof) owned or financially assisted pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 671, Seventy-sixth Congress; or
(3) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, or any of the so-called Greenbelt towns, or parts thereof, including projects, or parts thereof, known as Greenhills, OH; Greenbelt, MD; and Greendale, WI, developed under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935; or of any of the village properties or employee's housing under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Valley Authority; or of any housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior located within the town area of Coulee Dam, WA, acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Grand Coulee Dam and its appurtenant works or of any permanent housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior constructed under the Boulder Canyon Project Act of December 21, 1928, as amended and supplemented, located within the Boulder City municipal area; or
(4) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, of any housing (including any property acquired, held, or constructed in connection therewith or to serve the inhabitants thereof) pursuant to the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955, as amended: Provided, That such insurance shall be issued without regard to any preferences or priorities except those prescribed by the National Housing Act or the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955, as amended; or
(5) Executed in connection with the sale by a State or municipality, or an agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of either, of a project consisting of any permanent housing (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection therewith or to serve the inhabitants thereof), constructed by or on behalf of such State, municipality, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision, for the occupancy of veterans (persons who have served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time on or after September 16, 1940, and prior to July 26, 1947, or on or after June 27, 1950, and prior to February 1, 1955) their families and others: Provided, That the principal obligation of a mortgage referred to in this paragraph shall not exceed 90 percent of the appraised value of the mortgaged property; or
(6) Executed in connection with the first resale, within two years from the date of its acquisition from the Government, of any portion of a project or property of the character described in paragraphs (b) (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section.
(c) The Commissioner may insure under this part, without regard to any limitation upon eligibility contained in the other provisions of this subpart, any mortgage given to refinance an existing mortgage insured under the National Housing Act. The refinancing mortgage must meet the following special requirements:
(1)(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the refinancing mortgage must be in an amount that does not exceed the least of (A) the original principal amount of the existing mortgage; (B) the sum of the outstanding principal balance of the existing mortgage, plus loan closing charges approved by the Commissioner; or (C) in the case of an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in §203.18(f)), the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage.
(ii) In the case of graduated payment mortgages insured under section 203 of the Act pursuant to section 245 (a) or (b) of the Act (§203.45 or §203.46 [as in effect immediately before its removal at 52 FR 32754, published August 28, 1987]), the refinancing mortgage must have a principal amount that does not exceed the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage.
(iii) If a one-time mortgage insurance premium (MIP) was financed as part of the existing mortgage referred to in paragraphs (c)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, the amount of the premium refund to which the mortgagor is entitled must be deducted in determining the original principal amount and the unpaid principal balance of the existing mortgage under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section and the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. However, the maximum amount of the refinancing mortgage computed in accordance with this paragraph (c)(1) may be increased by the amount of the one-time MIP (if any) associated with the refinancing mortgage;
(2) It must have a term which does not exceed the unexpired term of the existing mortgage, except that in any case where the Commissioner determines that an extension of the term of the mortgage will inure to the benefit of the applicable insurance fund, taking into consideration the outstanding insurance liability under the existing insured mortgage, the term may be extended to the lesser of (i) 30 years or (ii) the unexpired term of the existing mortgage, plus 12 years;
(3) The mortgage must result in a reduction in regular monthly payments by the mortgagor, except:
(i) When a fixed rate mortgage is given to refinance an adjustable rate mortgage held by a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or secondary residence, as these terms are defined in §203.18(f); or
(ii) When refinancing a mortgage for a shorter term will result in an increase in the mortgagor's regular monthly payments of no more than $50. In the case of a graduated payment mortgage, the reduction in regular monthly payments means a reduction from the payment due under the existing mortgage for the month in which the refinancing mortgage is executed.
(4) It must be made by a mortgagor whose record of payment on the existing mortgage meets standards established by the Commissioner; and
(5) The mortgagee may not require a minimum principal amount to be outstanding on the loan secured by the existing mortgage.
(d)–(f) [Reserved]
(g) The provisions of §203.28 shall not apply to mortgages insured under this section.
(h) The provisions of §203.38 shall not apply to mortgages of the character described in paragraph (b) of this section and at the time any such mortgage is insured there must be located on the mortgaged property a dwelling unit designed principally for residential use for not more than eight families.
(i)–(j) [Reserved]
(k) The Commissioner may insure under this part, without regard to any limitation upon eligibility contained in this subpart, any mortgage assigned to the Commissioner in connection with payment under a contract of mortgage insurance, or executed in connection with a sale by the Commissioner of any property acquired in the settlement of an insurance claim under any section or title of the National Housing Act.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 45 FR 30602, May 8, 1980; 47 FR 29525, July 7, 1982; 52 FR 4139, Feb. 10, 1987; 52 FR 37287, Oct. 6, 1987; 52 FR 44861, Nov. 23, 1987; 53 FR 8880, Mar. 18, 1988; 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990; 55 FR 38033, Sept. 14, 1990; 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.43a Eligibility of mortgages covering housing in certain neighborhoods.
(a) A mortgage financing the repair, rehabilitation, construction, or purchase of property located in an older declining urban area shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.
(b) The mortgage shall meet all of the requirements of this subpart, except such requirements as are judged to be not applicable on the basis of the following determinations to be made by the Commissioner:
(1) That the conditions of the area in which the property is located prevent the application of certain eligibility requirements of this subpart.
(2) That the area is reasonably viable, and there is a need in the area for adequate housing for families of low and moderate income.
(3) That the mortgage to be insured is an acceptable risk.
(c) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 223(e) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.
(d) For restrictions against approving mortgage insurance for a certain category of newly legalized alien, see 24 CFR part 49.
[36 FR 24508, Dec. 22, 1971, as amended at 55 FR 18493, May 2, 1990]
§ 203.43b [Reserved]
§ 203.43c Eligibility of mortgages involving a dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development.
A mortgage involving a dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.
(a) The provisions of §§203.16a, 203.17, 203.18, 203.18a, 203.23, 203.24, 203.26, 203.37, 203.38, 203.43h, 203.43i, 203.43j, 203.44, 203.49, and 203.50 of this part do not apply to mortgages insured under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.
(b) As used in connection with the insurance of mortgages under this section and §203.437 of this part: (1) The term mortgage shall mean a first lien given to secure a loan made to finance the unpaid purchase price of a Corporate Certificate together with the applicable Occupancy Certificate of a cooperative ownership housing corporation in which the permanent occupancy of the dwelling units is restricted to members of such corporation, and may refer both to a security instrument creating a lien, whether called a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or another term used in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the credit instrument, or note, secured thereby.
(2) Corporation shall mean an organization which holds title to a cooperative housing development which is covered by a blanket mortgage or mortgages insured by FHA under the National Housing Act.
(3) Corporate Certificate shall mean such stock certificates, membership certificates, or other instruments which the laws of the jurisdictions in which the cooperative housing development is located require to evidence ownership of a specified interest in the corporation.
(4) Occupancy Certificate shall mean a written instrument provided by the corporation to each holder of a Corporate Certificate which grants an exclusive right of possession of a specific dwelling unit in the cooperative housing development.
(5) References in this subpart to a dwelling, residence or property which is sold, conveyed, covered by a mortgage or subject to a lien shall be construed to mean the Corporate Certificate together with the Occupancy Certificate, except that where such references when interpreted in light of section 203(n) of the National Housing Act clearly indicate the intent to be the dwelling unit, such reference shall mean the dwelling unit identified in the Occupancy Certificate.
(c) The organizational documents of the cooperative corporation must provide that: (1) Either the Secretary or a mortgagee under a mortgage insured under this section shall be a member of the cooperative corporation for so long as either owns a Corporate Certificate;
(2) A mortgage insured under this section shall be a first lien upon the property covered by the mortgage;
(3) The Secretary may exercise the voting rights which are attributable to each Corporate Certificate owned by the Secretary;
(4) The Secretary may designate as her proxy an agent for the purpose of exercising the voting rights of the Secretary which are attributable to the corporate Certificate or Certificates owned by the Secretary;
(5) The Secretary may cease making monthly payments attributable to any dwelling unit for which the Secretary owns a Corporate Certificate six months after the Secretary notifies the corporation to sell the Corporate Certificate or upon default by the corporation on the blanket mortgage covering the dwelling unit;
(6) The Secretary or a mortgagee shall not be obligated to make payments to the corporation for any amounts unpaid by a mortgagor under a mortgage insured under this section prior to the date the Secretary or the mortgagee becomes the owner of the Corporate Certificate.
(d) The corporation shall have entered into an agreement with the Secretary and the mortgagee which: (1) Requires that the corporation shall furnish the Secretary with the most recent annual financial report certified to have been based on generally accepted accounting principles and the most recent monthly or quarterly financial report;
(2) Waives any option or right of first refusal the corporation may have to purchase any Corporate Certificate covered by a mortgage insured under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act, unless the corporation pays the full amount due under such mortgage or pays the full amount of the Secretary's investment if the Secretary is the owner of the Corporate Certificate, whichever is greater.
(3) Except with the approval of the Secretary, waives all authority the corporation may have to approve or reject the buyer of a Corporate Certificate owned by the Secretary or the buyer of a Corporate Certificate covered by a mortgage insured under Section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.
(4) Requires the corporation on notice by the Secretary to act as her agent for a fee to be determined by the Secretary for the limited purposes of:
(i) Selling all Corporate Certificates of the corporation owned by the Secretary;
(ii) Renting and collecting rents on any dwelling unit for which the Secretary owns the Corporate Certificate.
(5) Provides that the Secretary shall not be obligated to make payments to the corporation for outstanding debts of the mortgagor;
(6) Requires the corporation to furnish to a mortgagee or to the Secretary, on request:
(i) A statement, certified by the officer charged with maintenance of the Corporate Certificate Transfer Book, that such book currently shows that the mortgagee or the Secretary is the owner of any Corporate Certificate transferred to the mortgagee or the Secretary; and
(ii) The Occupancy Certificate in the name of the mortgagee or the Secretary.
(7) Requires the corporation to notify the mortgagee, whose name and address has been provided, of any default in corporation fee payments by the mortgagor within 15 days of such default;
(8) Requires the mortgagee to notify the corporation of any default in mortgage payments by the mortgagor within 15 days of such default;
(9) Requires the corporation upon notice by the Secretary or the mortgagee, when the Secretary or the mortgagee is the owner of the Corporate Certificate, and for a fee to be determined by the Secretary to evict any person or persons from a dwelling unit identified in the Occupancy Certificate.
(10) Contains such other provisions as the Secretary may require.
(e) The mortgagee shall obtain such security and other undertakings as may be required to establish a first lien on the Corporate Certificate and the Occupancy Certificate under the laws of the State where the Cooperative Housing Development is located.
(f) The mortgage involves a one-family dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development which is covered by a blanket mortgage or mortgages insured under the National Housing Act.
(g) The mortgage shall not exceed the balance remaining after subtracting, from the amount determined under §§203.18(a), 203.18(g) and 203.18a of this part, an amount equal to the portion of the unpaid balance of the blanket mortgage covering the cooperative development which is attributable to the dwelling unit the mortgagor is entitled to occupy as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.
(h) The mortgage shall be executed upon a form conforming to the applicable provisions of this part and shall:
(1) Involve a principal obligation in multiples of $50.
(2) Come due on the first of the month.
(3) Contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary and an amortization period not in excess of the term of the mortgage.
(4) Be for a term not to exceed 30 years or the remaining term of the blanket mortgage covering the cooperative development or three-quarters of the remaining economic life of the building improvements, whichever is less.
(5) Provide for payments to principal and interest to begin not later than the first day of the month following 60 days from the date the mortgagee's certificate on the commitment was executed.
(6) Contain a provision stating that the failure of the mortgagor to pay the mortgagor's share of the common expenses or assessments and charges imposed by the corporation as provided in the instruments establishing the cooperative shall be considered a default.
(i) The entire principal amount of the mortgage must have been disbursed to the mortgagor or to his creditors for his account and with his consent.
(j) The mortgage must be executed by a mortgagor who intends to be an occupant of the unit.
(k) The mortgagee shall collect from the mortgagor upon the execution of the mortgage: (1) A sum that will be sufficient to pay the mortgage insurance premium for the period beginning on the date of the closing of the loan and ending on the date of the first monthly payment under the mortgage or (2), where applicable, the one-time mortgage insurance premium payable pursuant to §203.280.
(l) The mortgagee shall upon application for a mortgage insurance commitment provide true copies of the following organizational documents of the cooperative corporation for examination and approval by the appropriate HUD Field Office:
(1) Certificate of Incorporation;
(2) Regulatory Agreement;
(3) By-Laws as amended;
(4) The financial statements required in paragraph (d)(1) of this section;
(5) Proposed Occupancy Certificate;
(6) Proposed Corporate Certificate;
Provided that one or more of the requirements of this paragraph may be waived by the Secretary if the documents have been approved by the Secretary and the mortgagee submits with the application a statement certified by an officer of the cooperative corporation that no changes have been made in the documents since such approval.
[42 FR 40431, Aug. 10, 1977, as amended at 45 FR 29278, May 2, 1980; 45 FR 76377, Nov. 18, 1980; 48 FR 12085, Mar. 23, 1983; 48 FR 28804, June 23, 1983; 49 FR 23584, June 6, 1984; 52 FR 48201, Dec. 21, 1987; 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 53 FR 9869, Mar. 28, 1988; 53 FR 34282, Sept. 6, 1988; 56 FR 24631, May 30, 1991; 58 FR 41002, July 30, 1993]
§ 203.43d Eligibility of mortgages in certain communities.
Notwithstanding any other requirements of this subpart, a mortgage covering a one- to four-family dwelling occupied by the mortgagor as a principal residence (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)) is eligible for insurance if the following requirements are met:
(a) The property is located in a community where the Secretary determines that:
(1) Temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, or Nation;
(2) Such ownership claims are reasonably likely to be settled, by court action or otherwise;
(3) As a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, owners of homes in the community occupied as principal residences (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)) have been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and have, thus, incurred substantial reductions in income that significantly impair their ability to continue timely payment of their mortgages;
(4) As a result, widespread mortgage foreclosures and distress sales of homes are likely in the community; and
(5) Fifty or more individuals were joined as parties defendant or were members of a defendant class prior to December 31, 1976 in litigation involving claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band or Nation.
(b) The mortgagor, as a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, has been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and has thus incurred a substantial reduction in income which significantly impairs the owners ability to continue timely payment of the mortgage.
(c) The mortgagee certifies that the security instrument has been recorded and is a good and valid first lien on the property except for the claims specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(d) The mortgagee agrees upon insurance of the mortgage to assign such mortgage to the Secretary within 30 days from the date of the issuance of the insurance certificate and if such assignment does not take place, the contract of insurance is terminated and becomes null and void.
(e) Any individual, organization, institution or governmental agency shall be considered a mortgagee for the purposes of this section.
(f) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 203(o) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.
(g) The mortgage was executed and filed for record on or before October 12, 1977.
[42 FR 57434, Nov. 2, 1977, as amended at 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990]
§ 203.43e Eligibility of mortgages covering houses in federally impacted areas.
(a) A mortgage executed in connection with the construction, repair, rehabilitation or purchase of property located near any installation of the Armed Forces of the United States in federally impacted areas shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to this part if the Secretary finds the following additional requirements are met;
(1) The benefits to be derived from such use outweigh the risk of probable cost to the Government; and
(2) The Secretary of Defense certifies that there is no intention to curtail substantially the personnel assigned or to be assigned to such installation.
(b) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 238(c) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.
[42 FR 57434, Nov. 2, 1977]
§ 203.43f Eligibility of mortgages covering manufactured homes.
A mortgage covering a one-family manufactured home (as defined in 24 CFR 3280.2(a)(16)) that meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to this subpart.
(a) The manufactured home, when erected on site, shall have floor space area of not less than four hundred square feet and shall have been constructed in conformance with the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards as evidenced by a certification label affixed thereto in accordance with 24 CFR 3280.8.
(b) The mortgage shall cover the manufactured home and site, shall constitute a mortgage on a property classified and taxed as real estate, and shall have a term of not more than 30 years from the date of the beginning of amortization.
(c) In the case of a manufactured home which has not been permanently erected on a site for more than one year prior to the date of the application for mortgage insurance:
(i) The manufactured home shall be erected on a site-built permanent foundation that meets or exceeds applicable requirements of the Minimum Property Standards for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 4900.1 (see 24 CFR 200.929(b)(1)) (MPS) and shall be permanently attached thereto by anchoring devices adequate for all loads identified in the MPS. The towing hitch or running gear, which includes axles, brakes, wheels and other parts of the chassis that operate only during transportation, shall have been removed. The finished grade level beneath the manufactured home shall be at or above the 100-year return frequency flood elevation. The site, site improvements, and all other features of the mortgaged property not addressed by the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards shall meet or exceed applicable requirements of the MPS.
(ii) The space beneath the manufactured home shall be enclosed by continuous foundation-type construction designed to resist all forces to which it is subject without transmitting forces to the building superstructure. The enclosure shall be adequately secured to the perimeter of the manufactured home and be constructed of materials that conform to MPS requirements for foundations.
(iii) The manufactured home shall have an overall coefficient of heat transmission (“Uo” value) calculated in accordance with the procedures of NFPA 501 BM–1976 (“Mobile Home Heating, Cooling Load Calculations”) that does not exceed the following for all locations within the following climatic zones:
NFPA
1 Zone III includes Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
(iv) The manufactured home shall be braced and stiffened before it leaves the factory to resist racking and potential damage during transportation.
(v) The conditions of §203.18(a)(2) (i) and (ii) of this subpart shall not apply to construction of the manufactured home but shall be applicable to improvement of the site, including construction of the site-built foundation.
(vi) Section 203.14 of this subpart is modified to the extent provided in this paragraph. Applications relating to insurance of mortgages under this paragraph (c) must be accompanied by an agreement in form satisfactory to the Commissioner executed by the seller or builder or such other person as the Commissioner may require agreeing that in the event of any sale or conveyance of the dwelling within a period of one year beginning with the date of initial occupancy, the seller, builder, or such other person will at the time of such sale or conveyance deliver to the purchaser or owner of such property the manufacturer's warranty on a form prescribed by the Commissioner, which shall provide that the manufacturer's warranty is in addition to and not in derogation of all other rights and remedies the purchaser or owner may have, and a warranty in form satisfactory to the Commissioner warranting that the manufactured home, the foundation, positioning and anchoring of the manufactured home to its permanent foundation, and all site improvements are constructed in substantial conformity with the plans and specifications (including amendments thereof or changes and variations therein which have been approved in writing by the Commissioner) on which the Commissioner has based his valuation of the dwelling. The warranty shall also include provisions that the manufactured home sustained no hidden damage during transportation, and if the manufactured home is a double-wide, that the sections were properly joined and sealed. Such agreement must provide that upon the sale or conveyance of the dwelling and delivery of the warranty, the seller, builder or such other person will promptly furnish the Commissioner with a conformed copy of the warranty establishing by the purchaser's receipt thereon that the original warranty has been delivered to the purchaser in accordance with this section.
(d) In the case of a manufactured home which has been permanently erected on a site for more than one year prior to the dae of the application for mortgage insurance:
(i) The manufactured home shall be permanently anchored to and supported by permanent footings and shall have permanently installed utilities that are protected from freezing. The space beneath the manufactured home shall be a properly enclosed crawl space.
(ii) The site, site improvements, and all other features of the mortgaged property not addressed by the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards shall meet or exceed applicable requirements of the Requirements for Existing Housing—One to Four Family Living Units (Handbook 4905.1). The finished grade level beneath the manufactured home shall be at or above the 100-year return frequency flood elevation.
(iii) The manufactured home shall have been occupied only at the location subject to the mortgage sought to be insured.
[48 FR 7735, Feb. 24, 1983, as amended at 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.43g Eligibility of mortgages in certain communities.
(a) A mortgage which meets the requirements of this subpart shall be eligible for insurance without regard to the limitation in this part relating to marketability of title under the following conditions:
(1) The mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)).
(2) The defect or potential defect in title is a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, group or Nation.
(3) Fifty or more individual owners were joined as parties defendant or were members of a defendant class before April 1, 1980 in litigation involving claims to ownership of land in the community in which the property is located by an American Indian tribe, band, group or Nation pursuant to a dispute involving the Articles of Confederation, the Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790 or any similar State or Federal law.
(4) Such ownership claims are reasonably likely to be settled by court action or otherwise.
(5) Temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of such claims.
(b) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section shall be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.
[49 FR 21319, May 21, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990]
§ 203.43h Eligibility of mortgages on Indian land insured pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act.
A mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence located on Indian land shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–13), notwithstanding otherwise applicable requirements related to marketability of title, if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section and is made by an Indian Tribe or on a leasehold estate, by an Indian who will occupy it as a principal residence. Mortgage insurance on cooperative shares is not authorized under this section.
(a) Exemptions. (1) The provisions of subparts I, J, and M of part 200, and §203.30, shall not apply to approval of mortgagors for mortgages insured under this section if the Indian tribe to which the prospective mortgagor belongs is subject to the Indian Civil Rights Act.
(2) In the case of an Indian tribe which is not subject to the Indian Civil Rights Act, the authorities cited in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall apply, but any preference in the tribe's approval of the sale or assumption of a lease and mortgage under this section in favor of an eligible Indian over a non-Indian shall not be considered to be a violation of subpart I, J or M.
(b) Eviction procedures. Before HUD will insure a mortgage on Indian land, the tribe having jurisdiction over such property must certify to the HUD Field Office that it has adopted and will enforce procedures for eviction of defaulted mortgagors where the insured mortgage has been foreclosed.
(c) Approval of lease and mortgage. The lease must be on a form prescribed by HUD.
The mortgage must be on a form which meets the requirements of §203.17(a)(2). Before HUD will insure any mortgage under this section, the mortgagee must demonstrate that the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, has approved both the lease and mortgage.
(d) Construction advances. The Commissioner may issue a commitment for the insurance of advances made during construction and a Direct Endorsement mortgagee may request insurance of a mortgage that will involve the insurance of advances made during construction. The Commissioner will insure advances made by the mortgagee during construction if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The mortgage shall be a first lien on the leasehold;
(2) The mortgagor and the mortgagee execute a building loan agreement, approved by the Commissioner, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made;
(3) The advances are made only as provided in the commitment or the approval by the Direct Endorsement underwriter;
(4) The principal amount of the mortgage is held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor, pending advancement to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors as provided in the loan agreement;
(5) The mortgage shall bear interest on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors and on the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor; and
(6) The Secretary had determined that no feasible financing alternative is available.
(e) Assumption or sale of leasehold. The form of lease must contain a provision requiring tribal consent before any assumption of an existing lease, except where title to the leasehold interest is obtained by the Secretary through foreclosure of the insured mortgage. A mortgagee other than the Secretary must obtain tribal consent before obtaining title through a foreclosure sale. Tribal consent must be obtained on any subsequent transfer from the purchaser, including the Secretary, at foreclosure sale. The lease may not be terminated by the lessor without HUD's approval while the mortgage is insured or held by the Secretary.
(f) First lien. The first lien requirement under this part is implemented where the mortgage is filed in the State recording system and is a first lien under that system, even though the leasehold interest securing the mortgage is located on Indian land and filed with Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Any tribal government whose courts have jurisdiction to hear foreclosures must also:
(1) Enact a law satisfactory to the Commissioner providing for the satisfaction of FHA-insured and Secretary-held mortgages before other obligations (other than tribal leasehold taxes against the property assessed after the property is mortgaged) are satisfied; or
(2) Enact a law providing that State law shall determine the priority of liens against the property.
(g) Definitions. As used in this section and elsewhere in this part, the term:
(1) Indian means and individual member of any Indian tribe and that member's family.
(2) Indian land means trust or otherwise restricted land (i) as defined by the Secretary of the Interior, over which an Indian tribe is recognized by the United States as having governmental jurisdiction; (ii) held in trust for the benefit of any Indian tribe or individual or held by any Indian tribe or individual subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation; or (iii) acquired by Alaska natives under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or any other land acquired by Alaska natives pursuant to statute by virtue of their unique status as Alaska natives.
(3) Indian tribe means any Indian or Alaska native tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians or Alaskan natives recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians or Alaska natives by the Secretary of the Interior because of its status as such an entity, or that is an eligible recipient under chapter 67 of title 31, United States Code. For purposes of engaging in section 248 insured mortgage transactions under this section, an Indian tribe may act through its duly authorized representative.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0340)[51 FR 21871, June 16, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 34282, Sept. 6, 1988; 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.43i Eligibility of mortgages on Hawaiian Home Lands insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act.
(a) Eligibility. A mortgage on a homestead lease granted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands covering a one- to four-family residence located on Hawaiian home lands is eligible for insurance pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z–12) if the mortgagor is a native Hawaiian who will occupy it as a principal residence, and if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section. Mortgage insurance on cooperative shares under §203.43c on homes in federally impacted areas under §203.43e is not authorized under this section.
(b) Exemptions from other regulations. The provisions of subparts I, J, and M of part 200, and §203.30, to the extent that these provisions would otherwise prohibit preferences in favor of Native Hawaiians in the leasing, sale or other disposition of Hawaiian home lands, do not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act. The first lien requirement contained in §203.17 also does not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act.
(c) Definitions. (1) Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is a Department of the State of Hawaii responsible for management of Hawaiian home lands for the benefit of native Hawaiians.
(2) Hawaiian home lands means all lands given the status of Hawaiian home lands under section 204 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (42 Stat. 110), or under the corresponding provision of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii adopted under section 4 of the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union,” approved March 18, 1959 (73 Stat. 5).
(3) Native Hawaiian means any descendant of not less than one-half part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian islands before January 1, 1778, or, in the case of an individual who is awarded an interest in a lease of Hawaiian home lands through transfer or succession, such lower percentage as may be established for such transfer or succession under section 208 or 209 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (42 Stat.111), or under the corresponding provision of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii adopted under section 4 of the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union,” approved March 18, 1959 (73 Stat. 5).
(d) Conditions for insurance. Mortgages will be eligible for insurance under this section, according to the procedures in §§203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable), only where the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands:
(1) Will be a comortgagor;
(2) Guarantees or reimburse the Secretary for any mortgage insurance claim paid in connection with a property on Hawaiian home lands; or
(3) Offers other security acceptable to the Secretary.
(e) Acceptable security. Any agreement by the Secretary to accept alternative security under paragraph (d)(3) of this section must contain provisions designed to ensure that the insurance of mortgages under this section has a neutral impact on the appropriate insurance funds. These provisions may require the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to make an initial deposit of funds with HUD and to maintain additional funds in reserve for subsequent deposits with HUD. The initial and subsequent deposits shall be used to pay obligations incurred by HUD in connection with the insurance of mortgages under this section and any associated costs, including refunds of insurance premiums to mortgagors. If the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands agrees to make deposits in amounts acceptable to HUD, then the Secretary may agree to use a portion of the premiums received for insurance of mortgages under this section solely for payment of such obligations and associated costs.
(f) Recordation. The mortgagee must certify that the mortgage has been recorded with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
(g) Construction advances. Advances made by the mortgagee during construction are eligible for insurance, according to the procedures in §§203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable), if the Secretary determines that no feasible financing alternative is available and if:
(1) The mortgagor and the mortgagee execute a building loan agreement, approved by the Secretary, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made;
(2) The advances are made only as provided in the commitment or the approval by the Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance underwriter;
(3) The principal amount of the mortgage is held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor, pending advancement to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors as provided in the loan agreement; and
(4) The mortgage bears interest on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors and on the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor.
(h) Form of lease. The form of lease must be approved by both HUD and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The lease may not be terminated by DHHL without the approval of the Secretary while the mortgage is insured or held by the Secretary.
(i) Eligibility of mortgagor. In addition to the eligibility requirements contained in this subpart, possession of a lease of Hawaiian home lands issued under section 207(a) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (42 Stat.110) that has been certified by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as being valid, current, and not in default, shall be sufficient to certify eligibility to receive a mortgage to be insured under this section.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0358)[52 FR 8067, Mar. 16, 1987, and 52 FR 28470, July 30, 1987, as amended at 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 53 FR 34282, Sept. 6, 1988; 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996; 62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997; 69 FR 33525, June 15, 2004]
§ 203.43j Eligibility of mortgages on Allegany Reservation of Seneca Nation of Indians.
A mortgage on a leasehold estate covering a one- to four-family residence located on the Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians in the State of New York is eligible for insurance if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section.
(a) Title. This section applies only to a mortgage which:
(1) Does not meet the requirements of §203.37;
(2) Is on a leasehold under a lease with a termination date in February 1991, which provides for renewal in accordance with the Act of February 19, 1875 (18 Stat. 330) and the Act of September 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 558).
A mortgage may not be on a leasehold created by a lease which is executed after the effective date of this section as a renewal or replacement of a lease described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. A mortgage may not be secured by any other right of occupancy created in lieu of a leasehold after the effective date of this section by agreement of the Seneca Nation, court order, law or any other means.
(b) Provisions of mortgage. The Secretary will prescribe special mortgage provisions in the form of a mortgage rider in order better to secure the mortgagee, including:
(1) Authorization for the mortgagee to exercise the option of lease renewal if the mortgagor fails to do so, and to recover from the mortgagor authorized expenses incurred to obtain lease renewal; and
(2) Making a mortgagor failure to take steps necessary for less renewal an event of default under the mortgage.
(c) Secretary agreement with mortgagor. The mortgagor must enter into an agreement with the Secretary and such other parties as the Secretary may require regarding actions to be taken to obtain either a renewal of the lease or a new lease.
(d) Certification. The borrower must certify that it has received disclosures, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, explaining the status of the lease and the consequences of nonrenewal. The disclosure shall include a discussion of the fact that a mortgagor who does not obtain a lease renewal and loses the right of occupancy will remain liable for the outstanding balance of the mortgage.
(e) Purchase for principal residence. The mortgagor must be a purchaser who intends to occupy the property as a principal residence (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)), or a current owner-occupant refinancing a mortgage which is now due or which will become due before the lease termination date in February 1991.
(f) Relationship of income to housing expense. For purposes of §203.33(a), the total prospective housing expense shall include the Secretary's estimate of future lease payments during the term of the mortgage rather than lease payments in effect at the time of application.
(g) Suspension of commitments. The Secretary may suspend the issuance of commitments to insure mortgages under this section, for the entire period during which commitments could otherwise be issued for insurance under this section (i.e., through February 18, 1991) or for such lesser period as the Secretary may specify, by providing thirty days notice of suspension in the
[52 FR 48201, Dec. 21, 1987, and 53 FR 9869, Mar. 28, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 32970–32971, Aug. 11, 1989; 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990]
§ 203.44 Eligibility of advances.
Mortgagees may not make open-end advances under section 225 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715p) in connection with the mortgages insured under this chapter.
[61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.45 Eligibility of graduated payment mortgages.
A mortgage containing provisions for varying rates of amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.
(a) The mortgage may provide that any interest which accrues and which is unpaid pursuant to a financing plan approved by the Secretary, shall be added to the principal obligation of the mortgage.
(b) The mortgage shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor.
(c) The mortgage amount shall not exceed the lesser of:
(1) The limits prescribed by §§203.18, 203.18a, and 203.29; or,
(2) An amount which, when added to all accrued mortgage interest which will be unpaid under a financing plan approved by the Secretary, shall not exceed 97 percent of the appraised value of the property covered by the mortgage as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance. However, if the mortgagor is a veteran, the mortgage amount, when added to all accrued mortgage interest which will be unpaid under a financing plan approved by the Secretary, shall not exceed the applicable limits prescribed for veterans in §203.18(a).
(d) The mortgage must contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary requiring monthly payments by the mortgagor not in excess of his reasonable ability to pay as determined by the Secretary. The sum of the payments to principal and/or interest may increase annually for a period of five years at a rate of 2
(e) The mortgagee shall fully explain to the mortgagor the nature of the obligation undertaken and the mortgagor shall certify that he or she fully understands the obligation.
(f) Sections 203.21 and 203.44 shall not apply to this section.
(g) This section applies only to mortgagors who are to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in §203.18(f)(1)). It does not apply to a mortgage that meets the requirements of §§203.18(a)(4), 203.18 (c) through (e), 203.43, 203.43a, 203.43j, or 203.49.
(h) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 245 of the National Housing Act.
[41 FR 42949, Sept. 29, 1976, as amended at 45 FR 33966, May 21, 1980; 45 FR 56341, Aug. 24, 1980; 49 FR 19453, 19458, May 8, 1984; 49 FR 23584, June 6, 1984; 52 FR 48201, Dec. 21, 1987; 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 53 FR 9869, Mar. 28, 1988; 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990; 58 FR 41003, July 30, 1993]
§ 203.47 Eligibility of growing equity mortgages.
A mortgage containing provisions for accelerated amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart, subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.
(a) The mortgage must contain complete amortization provisions, satisfactory to the Secretary, requiring monthly payments by the mortgagor not in excess of the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay, as determined by the Secretary.
(b) The mortgage must contain a provision setting forth the payments required for principal and interest in each year of the mortgage.
(c) The monthly payments for principal and interest for the initial year, or such other initial period as the commissioner may approve, shall be determined on the basis of a 30-year level payment amortization schedule. Subsequent monthly payments for principal and interest may increase annually, biennially or at such other interval that is greater than one year, as the Commissioner may approve. The subsequent periodic increases may be up to five percent above the payments for principal and interest for the previous period.
(d) No later than at the time that a loan application is offered to a prospective mortgagor, the mortgagee shall explain fully to the mortgagor the nature of the obligation undertaken and the mortgagor shall certify that he or she fully understands the obligation.
(e) The mortgage amount shall not exceed the limits prescribed by §203.18, 203.18a, or 203.29.
(f) Sections 203.21 and 203.44 shall not apply to this section.
(g) This section shall not apply to a mortgage which meets the requirements of §203.43, §203.43a, or §203.49.
(h) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 245(a) of the National Housing Act.
[49 FR 19453, May 8, 1984, as amended at 49 FR 23584, June 6, 1984; 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 58 FR 41003, July 30, 1993]
§ 203.49 Eligibility of adjustable rate mortgages.
A mortgage containing the provisions for periodic adjustments by the mortgagee in the effective rate of interest charged shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section. This section shall apply only to mortgage loans described under sections 203(b), 203(h) and 203(k) of the National Housing Act.
(a) Types of mortgages insurable. The types of adjustable rate mortgages that are insurable are those for which the interest rate may be adjusted annually by the mortgagee, beginning after one, three, five, seven, or ten years from the date of the mortgagor's first debt service payment.
(b) Interest-rate index. Changes in the interest rate charged on an adjustable rate mortgage must correspond to changes in the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year. Except as otherwise provided in this section, each change in the mortgage interest rate must correspond to the upward and downward change in the index.
(c) Amortization provisions. The mortgage must contain amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary, allowing for periodic adjustments in the rate of interest charged corresponding to changes in the interest rate index.
(d) Frequency of interest rate changes. (1) The interest rate adjustments must occur annually, calculated from the date of the mortgagor's first debt service payment, except that, for these types of mortgages, the first adjustment shall be no sooner or later than the following:
(i) One-year adjustable rate mortgages—no sooner than 12 months or later than 18 months;
(ii) Three-year adjustable rate mortgages—no sooner than 36 months or later than 42 months;
(iii) Five-year adjustable rate mortgages—no sooner than 60 months or later than 66 months;
(iv) Seven-year adjustable rate mortgages—no sooner than 84 months or later than 90 months; and
(v) Ten-year adjustable rate mortgages—no sooner than 120 months or later than 126 months.
(2) To set the new interest rate, the mortgagee will determine the change between the initial (i.e., base) index figure and the current index figure, or will add a specific margin to the current index figure. The initial index figure shall be the most recent figure available before the date of mortgage loan origination. The current index figure shall be the most recent index figure available 30 days before the date of each interest rate adjustment.
(e) Method of rate changes. Interest rate changes may only be implemented through adjustments to the mortgagor's monthly payments.
(f) Magnitude of changes. The adjustable rate mortgage initial contract interest rate shall be agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor. The first adjustment to the contract interest rate shall take place in accordance with the schedule set forth under paragraph (d) of this section. Thereafter, for all adjustable rate mortgages, the adjustment shall be made annually and shall occur on the anniversary date of the first adjustment, subject to the following conditions and limitations:
(1) For one- and three-year adjustable rate mortgages, no single adjustment to the interest rate shall result in a change in either direction of more than one percentage point from the interest rate in effect for the period immediately preceding that adjustment. Index changes in excess of one percentage point may not be carried over for inclusion in an adjustment for a subsequent year. Adjustments in the effective rate of interest over the entire term of the mortgage may not result in a change in either direction of more than five percentage points from the initial contract interest rate.
(2) For five-, seven-, and ten-year adjustable rate mortgages, no single adjustment to the interest rate shall result in a change in either direction of more than two percentage points from the interest rate in effect for the period immediately preceding that adjustment. Index changes in excess of two percentage points may not be carried over for inclusion in an adjustment in a subsequent year. Adjustments in the effective rate of interest over the entire term of the mortgage may not result in a change in either direction of more than six percentage points from the initial contract rate.
(3) At each adjustment date, changes in the index interest rate, whether increases or decreases, must be translated into the adjusted mortgage interest rate, except that the mortgage may provide for minimum interest rate change limitations and for minimum increments of interest rate changes.
(g) Pre-Loan Disclosure. The mortgagee is required to make available to the mortgagor, at the time of loan application, a written explanation of the features of an adjustable rate mortgage consistent with the disclosure requirements applicable to variable rate mortgages secured by a principal dwelling under the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
(h) Annual disclosure. At least 25 days before any adjustment to a mortgagor's monthly payment may occur, the mortgagee must advise the mortgagor of the new mortgage interest rate, the amount of the new monthly payment, the current index interest rate value, and how the payment adjustment was calculated.
(i) Cross-reference. Sections 203.21 (level payment amortization provisions) and 203.44 (open-end advances) do not apply to this section. This section does not apply to a mortgage that meets the requirements of §§203.18(a)(4) (mortgagors of secondary residences), 203.18(c) (eligible non-occupant mortgagors), 203.18(d) (outlying area properties), 203.43 (miscellaneous type mortgages), 203.43c (mortgages involving a dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development), 203.43d (mortgages in certain communities), 203.43e (mortgages covering houses in federally impacted areas), 203.45 (graduated payment mortgages), or 203.47 (growing equity mortgages).
(j) Aggregate amount of mortgages insured. The aggregate number of adjustable rate mortgages insured pursuant to this section and 24 CFR part 234 in any fiscal year may not exceed 30 percent of the aggregate number of mortgages and loans insured by the Secretary under Title II of the National Housing Act during the preceding fiscal year.
(k) Insurance authority. Mortgages complying with the requirements ofthis section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 251 of the National Housing Act.
[49 FR 23584, June 6, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 54 FR 111, Jan. 4, 1989; 55 FR 34805, Aug. 24, 1990; 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996; 69 FR 11501, Mar. 10, 2004; 70 FR 16082, Mar. 29, 2005]
§ 203.50 Eligibility of rehabilitation loans.
A rehabilitation loan which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under section 203(k) of the National Housing Act.
(a) For the purpose of this section:
(1) The term rehabilitation loan means a loan, advance of credit, or purchase of an obligation representing a loan or advancement of credit, made for the purpose of financing:
(i) The rehabilitation of an existing one-to-four unit structure which will be used primarily for residential purposes;
(ii) The rehabilitation of such a structure and refinancing of the outstanding indebtedness on such structure and the real property on which the structure is located; or
(iii) The rehabilitation of such a structure and the purchase of the structure and the real property on which it is located; and
(2) The term rehabilitation means the improvement (including improvements designed to meet cost-effective energy conservation standards prescribed by the Secretary and improvements for accessibility to the handicapped) or repair of a structure, or facilities in connection with a structure, and may include the provision of such sanitary or other facilities as are required by applicable codes, a community development plan, or a statewide property insurance plan to be provided by the owner or tenant of the project.
(b) The provisions of §203.18 (except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (f) (1) and (2) of this section) and §203.43c shall not apply to loans insured under this section.
(c) The loan shall cover a dwelling which was completed more than one year preceding the date of the application for mortgage insurance and which was approved for mortgage insurance prior to the beginning of rehabilitation.
(d)(1) The buildings on the mortgaged property must, upon completion of rehabilitation, conform with standards prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) Improvements or repairs made under this section must be designed to meet cost-effective energy conservation standards prescribed by the Secretary.
(e) The loan transaction shall be an acceptable risk as determined by the Commissioner.
(f) The loan may not exceed an amount which, when added to any outstanding indebtedness of the borrower that is secured by the property, creates an outstanding indebtedness in excess of the lesser of:
(1)(i) The limits prescribed in §§203.18(a) (1) and (3) (in the case of a dwelling to be occupied as a principal residence, as defined in §203.18(f)(1)); (ii) the limits prescribed in §§203.18(a) (1) and (4) (in the case of a dwelling to be occupied as a secondary residence, as defined in §203.18(f)(2)); (iii) 85 percent of the limits prescribed in §203.18(c), or such higher limit, not to exceed the limits set forth in §§203.18(a) (1) and (3), as the Secretary may prescribe (in the case of an eligible non-occupant mortgagor as defined in §203.18(f)(3)); (iv) the limits prescribed in §203.18a, based upon the sum of the estimated cost of rehabilitation and the Commissioner's estimate of the value of the property before rehabilitation; or
(2) The limits prescribed in the authorities listed in this paragraph (f), based upon 110 percent of the Commissioner's estimate of the value of the property after rehabilitation.
(g) The loan limitation prescribed by paragraph (f)(2) of this section shall not be applicable where a unit of local government demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that:
(1) The property is located within an area which is subject to a community sponsored program of concentrated redevelopment or revitalization, and,
(2) The loan limitation prescribed by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, prevents the utilization of the program to accomplish rehabilitation in the subject area, and,
(3) The interests of the mortgagor and the Commissioner are adequately protected.
(h) Insurance may be available for advances made during rehabilitation or upon completion of rehabilitation, according to the procedures in §203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable).
(i) Rehabilitation loans which do not involve the insurance of advances, the refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or the purchase of the property need not be a first lien on the property but shall not be junior to any lien other than a first mortgage. The provisions of §§203.15, 203.19, 203.23, 203.24, 203.26, and 203.43j shall not be applicable to such loans.
(j) The Commissioner may insure advances made by the mortgagee during rehabilitation if the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The mortgage shall be a first lien on the property.
(2) The mortgagor and the mortgagee shall execute a rehabilitation loan agreement, approved by the Commissioner, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made.
(3) The advances shall be made as provided in the reliabilitation loan agreement.
(4) The principal amount of the mortgage shall be held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor pending advancement to the mortgagor or his creditors as provided in the rehabilitation loan agreement.
(5) The loan shall bear interest at the rate prescribed in §203.20 on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or its creditors, and the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor.
(6) If paragraph (k) of this section applies, the rehabilitation loan agreement shall restrict advancement to the mortgagor, or to creditors other than the mortgagee, so that any loan proceeds in excess of the 85 percent set forth in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section shall not be advanced until the property is sold to a purchaser described in paragraph (k)(2) of this section.
(k) In the case of a dwelling (1) to be occupied neither as a principal residence nor as a secondary residence and (2) where the loan is approved for a limit higher than the 85 percent set forth in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section, the eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in §203.18(f)(3)) shall certify to the Commissioner that:
(1) The mortgagor will not rent (except for a rental term of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days), sell (except where the insured mortgage is paid in full as an incident of the sale), or occupy the property before a due date approved by the Commissioner, except with the prior written approval of the Commissioner;
(2) The mortgagor agrees that, if the property is not sold before a due date approved by the Commissioner to a purchaser, acceptable to the Commissioner, who will occupy the property, assume personal liability, and agree to pay the mortgage indebtedness, any amount held in escrow, trust, or special account under paragraph (j) of this section will be applied in reduction of the outstanding principal amount of the mortgage as of the due date approved by the Commissioner;
(3) The mortgagee agrees that any portion of the fund held in escrow, trust, or special account, not applied to the mortgage in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (k), shall be deducted from the amount of the insurance benefits to which the mortgagee would otherwise be entitled if a claim for insurance benefits is filed.
(l) Rehabilitation loan consultants. HUD maintains a list of qualified consultants, in accordance with §§200.190 through 200.193 of this title. When the borrower elects to use the services of a consultant, the lender must select a consultant on the list to perform one or more of the following tasks:
(1) Conduct a preliminary feasibility analysis before or after the submission of a sales contract;
(2) Prepare the cost estimate, work write-up, and architectural exhibits required for the rehabilitation of the property;
(3) Conduct a plan review; and
(4) Conduct the draw inspections for the release of funds during the construction phase of the project.
(m) With regard to loans under this section executed on or after December 27, 2005, the Commissioner shall charge an up-front and annual MIP in accordance with 24 CFR 203.284 or 203.285, whichever is applicable.
[45 FR 33966, May 21, 1980, as amended at 45 FR 76378, Nov. 18, 1980; 50 FR 19926, May 13, 1985; 52 FR 48201, Dec. 21, 1987; 53 FR 8881, Mar. 18, 1988; 53 FR 9869, Mar. 28, 1988; 55 FR 34806, Aug. 24, 1990; 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 58 FR 41003, July 30, 1993; 59 FR 13882, Mar. 24, 1994; 62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997; 67 FR 52381, Aug. 9, 2002; 70 FR 37156, June 28, 2005]
§ 203.51 Applicability.
The provisions of §§203.18 (a), (c), (d), (e)(1), and (f); §203.29(c); §203.31; §203.43(c); 203.43(k); §203.43c(g); §203.43d(a), §203.43g(a)(1); §203.43j(e); §203.45(g); §203.49(h); §203.50(f); and §203.50(k) of this subpart apply to mortgages insured:
(1) Pursuant to a conditional commitment or master conditional commitment issued on or after September 24, 1990; or
(2) In accordance with the Direct Endorsement program, if the underwriter of the mortgagee signs the appraisal report or master appraisal report for the property on or after September 24, 1990; or
(3) Pursuant to a certificate of reasonable value or master certificate of reasonable value issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs on or after September 24, 1990.
[55 FR 34806, Aug. 24, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 58347, Dec. 9, 1992; 61 FR 36453, July 10, 1996]
§ 203.52 Acceptance of individual residential water purification equipment.
If a property otherwise eligible for insurance under this part does not have access to a continuing supply of safe and potable water without the use of a water purification system, the requirements of this section must be complied with as a condition to acceptance of the mortgage for insurance. The mortgagee must provide appropriate documentation with the submission for insurance endorsement to address each of the requirements of this section.
(a) Equipment. Water purification equipment must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the local or state health authority.
(b) Certification by local (or state) health authority. A local (or state) health authority certification must be submitted to HUD which certifies that:
(1) A point-of-entry or point-of-use water purification system is currently in operation on the property. If the system in operation employs point-of-use equipment, the purification system must be employed on each water supply source (faucet) serving the property. Where point-of-entry systems are used, separate water supply systems carrying untreated water for flushing toilets may be constructed.
(2) The system is sufficient to assure an uninterrupted supply of safe and potable water adequate to meet household needs.
(3) The water supply, when treated by the equipment, meets the requirements of the local (or state) health authority, and has been determined to meet local or state quality standards for drinking water. If neither state nor local standards are applicable, then quality shall be determined in accordance with standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act. (EPA standards are prescribed in the National Primary Drinking Water requirements, 40 CFR parts 141 and 142.)
(4) There exists a Plan providing for the monitoring, servicing, maintenance, and replacement of the water equipment, which Plan meets the requirements of paragaph (f) of this section.
(c) Mortgagor notice and certification. (1) The prospective mortgagor must have received written notification, before the mortgagor signed a sales contract, that the property has a hazardous water supply that requires treatment in order to remain safe and acceptable for human consumption. The notification to the mortgagor must identify specific contaminants in the water supply serving the property, and the related health hazard arising from the presence of those contaminants.
(2) The mortgagor must have received, with the notification described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a written good faith estimate of the maintenance and replacement costs of the equipment necessary to assure continuing safe drinking water.
(3) A copy of the notification statement (including cost estimates), dated before the date of the sales contract, and signed by the prospective mortgagor to acknowledge its receipt, must accompany the submission for insurance endorsement. If a sales contract is signed in advance of the disclosure required by this paragraph, another sales contract must be executed after the information is provided to the prospective mortgagor and he or she has acknowledged receipt of the disclosure.
(4) The prospective mortgagor must sign a certification, substantially in the form set out in this paragraph (c)(4), at the time the application for mortgage credit approval is signed. This certification must be submitted to HUD:
Mortgagor's Certificate. I hereby acknowledge and understand that the home I am purchasing has a water purification system which I am responsible for maintaining. I undertstand that the individual water supply is unsafe for consumption unless the system is operating properly. I am aware that if I do not properly maintain the system, the water supply will not be purified or treated properly, thereby rendering the water supply unsafe for consumption. I also understand that the Department of Housing and Urban Development does not warrant the condition of the property, will not give me any money for repairs to the water purification system, and has relied upon the local (or state) health authority to assure that the water supply, when processed by properly maintained equipment, is acceptable for human use and consumption. [Mortgagor's signature and date]
(d) Service contract. Before mortgage closing, the mortgagor must enter into a service contract with an organization or individual specifically approved by the local (or state) health authority to carry out the provisions of the required Plan for servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification equipment. A copy of the signed service contract must be provided to HUD.
(e) Escrow for maintenance and replacement. The mortgagee must establish and maintain an escrow account which provides for the accumulation of funds paid with the mortgagor's monthly mortgage payment adequate to assure proper servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification equipment. The amount to be collected and escrowed by the mortgagee shall be based upon information provided by the manufacturer for the maintenance and replacement of the water purification equipment and for other charges anticipated by the service contractor. The initial monthly escrow amount shall be stated in the Plan. Disbursements from the account will be limited to costs associated with the normal servicing, maintenance, repair or replacement of the water purification equipment. Disbursements may only be made to the service contractor or its successor, to equipment suppliers, to the local (or state) health authority for the performance of testing or other required services, or to another entity approved by the health authority. So long as water purification remains necessary and the mortgage is insured by HUD, the mortgagee must maintain the escrow account.
(f) Approved Plan. A Plan, in the form of a contract entered into by the mortgagor and mortgagee and approved by the local (or state) health authority, must set out conditions that must be met by the parties as a condition to insurance of the mortgage by HUD. To be approved by the health authority:
(1) The Plan must set forth the respective responsibilities to be assumed by the mortgagor and the mortgagee, as well as the other entities who will implement the Plan, i.e., the health authority and the service contractor. In particular:
(i) The Plan must set out the responsibilities of the health authority for monitoring and enforcing performance of the service contractor, including any successor contractor that the health authority may later have occasion to name. By its approval of the Plan, the health authority documents its acceptance of these responsibilities, and the Plan should so indicate;
(ii) The Plan must provide for the monitoring of the operation of the water purification equipment, as well as for servicing (including disinfecting), and for repairing and replacing the system, as frequently as necessary, taking into consideration the system's design, anticipated use, and the type and level of contaminants present. Installation, servicing, repair and replacement of the water purification system must be performed by an individual or organization approved for the purpose by the local (or state) health authority and identified in the Plan. In meeting the requirements of paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the Plan may incorporate by reference specific terms and conditions of the service contract required under paragraph (d) of this section.
(iii) Under the Plan, responsibility for monitoring the performance of the service contractor and for assuring that the water purification system is properly serviced, repaired, and replaced rests with the local (or state) health authority that has given its approval to the Plan. The Plan must confer on the health authority all powers necessary to effect compliance by the service contractor. The health authority's powers shall include the authority to notify the mortgagor of any noncompliance by the service contractor. The plan must provide that, upon any notification of noncompliance received from the health authority, the mortgagor shall have the right to discharge the service contractor for cause and to appoint a successor organization or individual as service contractor; and
(iv) The Plan must provide for the mortgagor to make periodic escrow payments necessary for the servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification system, and for the mortgagee to disburse funds from the escrow account as required, to the appropriate party or parties.
(2) The Plan must provide that if the dwelling served by the water purification system is refinanced, or is sold or otherwise transferred with a HUD-insured mortgage, the Plan will:
(i) Continue in full force and effect;
(ii) Impose an obligation on the mortgagor to notify any subsequent purchaser or transferee of the necessity for the water purification system and for its proper maintenance, and of the obligation to make escrow payments; and
(iii) Require the mortgagor to furnish the purchaser with a copy of the Plan, before any sales contract is signed.
(g) Periodic analysis. Any Plan developed in accordance with this section must provide that an analysis of the water supply shall be obtained from the local (or state) health authority no less frequently than annually, but more frequently, if determined at any time to be necessary by the health authority or by the service contractor.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0474)[57 FR 9609, Mar. 19, 1992; 57 FR 27927, June 23, 1992]
Insured Ten-Year Protection Plans (Plan)
Source: Sections 203.200 through 203.209 appear at 55 FR 41021, Oct. 5, 1990, unless otherwise noted.
§ 203.200 Definitions.
As used in §203.201 through §203.209, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
Coverage contract means a warranty certificate, insurance policy, or other document of similar purpose (including any endorsements), delivered to the homeowner at the time of closing or settlement which is issued by a State, a builder, a warranty company, or an insurance company and which defines the terms and conditions under which a Plan will provide warranty coverage of the covered property.
Construction deficiencies are defects (not of a structural nature) in a dwelling covered by an insured ten-year protection plan that are attributable to poor workmanship or to the use of inferior materials which result in the impaired functioning of the dwelling or some part thereof. Defects resulting from homeowner abuse or from normal wear and tear are not considered construction deficiencies.
Insurance backing (or insurance backer) means the direct insurance or reinsurance of potential Plan obligations by one or more insurance companies.
Insured ten-year protection plan or Plan means an agreement between a homeowner and a Plan issuer which, among other things, contains warranties regarding the construction and structural integrity of the homeowner's one- to four-family dwelling covered by an FHA-insured mortgage. A Plan issuer may be a State, an insurance company, a warranty company, a Risk Retention Group as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3901a(4)(A)–(H) (Supp. IV 1986), a builder, or by any other HUD-approved entity with the required insurance backing. A Plan must specify in its coverage contract the obligations and duties of the Plan issuer to the homeowner (or to the homeowner's successor in interest) with respect to the warranties covering the dwelling.
Plumbing means all components of piped on-site gas, fluid, or fluid-based systems that are not separately covered by manufacturers' warranties, and includes any on-site water supply or sewage disposal systems.
State includes the several States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.
Structural defect is actual physical damage to the designated load-bearing portions of a home caused by failure of such load-bearing portions that affects their load-bearing functions to the extent that the home becomes unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise unlivable. Load-bearing components for the purpose of defining structural defects are defined as follows: Footing and foundation systems; beams; girders; lintels; columns; load-bearing walls and partitions; roof framing systems; and floor systems, including basement slabs in homes constructed in designated areas (see §203.207) containing expansive or collapsible soils. Damage to the following nonload-bearing portions of the home is not considered a structural defect: Roofing; drywall and plaster; exterior siding; brick, stone, or stucco veneer; floor covering material; wall tile and other wall coverings; nonload-bearing walls and partitions; concrete floors in attached garages; electrical; plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems; appliances, fixtures and items of equipment; paint; doors and windows; trim, cabinets, hardware, and insulation. Repair of a structural defect is limited to:
(1) The repair of damage to designated load-bearing portions of the home which is necessary to restore their load-bearing ability;
(2) The repair of designated non-load-bearing portions, items or systems of the home, damaged by the structural defect, which make the home unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unlivable (such as the repair of inoperable windows, doors and the restoration of functionality of damaged electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems); and
(3) The repair and cosmetic correction of only those surfaces, finishes and coverings, original with the home, damaged by the structural defect, or which require removal and replacement attendant to repair of the structural defect, or to repair other damage directly attributable to the structural defect. It is the intent of this section to ensure the repair of a covered home to a condition approximately the condition just prior to the defect, not to a like new condition. It does not require refinishing of all interior or exterior surfaces if only one or two surfaces are damaged. It does not cover personal property items, not a part of the structure, which are damaged by the defect or as a result of the defect. It excludes damage covered by a homeowner's casualty insurance policy.
Warranty company is an insurance company or other entity that provides insurance backing for an insured ten-year protection plan which, if the Plan issuer fails to meet its obligations to a covered homeowner, will assume the obligations and perform in accordance with the Plan's coverage contract with the homeowner.
§ 203.201 Scope.
Effective August 6, 1991, the provisions and requirements set forth in §203.202 through §203.209 apply to one- to four-family dwellings covered by HUD mortgage insurance (including family units in a condominium where the units are insured under subpart A of part 234 of this chapter).
§ 203.202 Plan acceptability and acceptance renewal criteria—general.
(a) For a Plan to be acceptable to HUD, it must assure that:
(1) If a builder, for any reason, fails to correct structural defects or construction deficiencies in a property covered by an insured 10-year protection Plan during the term of any warranty offered by the builder on the property, the Plan issuer will effect the corrections in accordance with the terms of the Plan; and
(2) If a Plan issuer, for any reason, fails to effect correction of these deficiencies or defects, or otherwise fails to honor the terms of its coverage, its insurance backer or, if the Plan issuer is an insurance company, the insurance company itself, will effect the corrections or otherwise honor the terms of the Plan.
(b) In evaluating applications for renewal of Plan acceptance, HUD will take into consideration such reliable evidence as is made available to the Department of a Plan issuer's failure to fulfill its obligations. Where HUD has credible evidence of a Plan issuer's failure to correct covered homeowner problems, or there are justifiable homeowner complaints about untimely problem resolution by a Plan issuer, HUD will consider this as cause for termination of a Plan's acceptance and as grounds for initiation of sanctions against a Plan issuer or insurance backer in accordance with 24 CFR part 24. If HUD proposes to terminate a Plan's acceptance, the issuer of the Plan will be advised of the reason therefor, and the procedural safeguards of 24 CFR part 24 will apply.
(c) Unless renewed, Plan acceptance by HUD expires automatically on the second anniversary date of acceptance. The Plan issuer must apply for acceptance renewal at least two months, but no more than three months, in advance of expiration to avoid automatic acceptance termination. Prior acceptance of a Plan will be continued beyond the date of automatic acceptance termination only by a written notification to the Plan issuer and only if the delay is caused by a lack of timely HUD processing of a renewal application. HUD will not extend the expiration date of a prior Plan acceptance if the Plan issuer has negligently provided incomplete information with its renewal application.
(d) After a Plan has been accepted by HUD, there shall be no change in, or modification to, its provisions, or in its insurance backers or insurance contract(s), without prior written HUD acceptance of such change or modification, except that changes mandated by other applicable laws may not require HUD's prior approval. A violation of this condition may be cause for termination of a Plan's acceptance, and may be grounds for initiation of sanctions against the Plan issuer in accordance with 24 CFR part 24. Insofar as practicable, HUD will respond to a Plan issuer's request for acceptance of a change within 30 days of receipt of the request. Plan acceptance by HUD will be for a two-year period.
(e) Requests for initial HUD acceptance or renewal of acceptance of a Plan should be made to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. Requests must be accompanied by information and documentation evidencing Plan compliance with §203.204. Acceptability of Plans will be determined by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing who will notify applicants of his or her determination. If a Plan is rejected, the applicant will be advised of the reason for rejection. The applicant may appeal the rejection to the Assistant Secretary for Housing, at the above address, stating specifically why the Plan should be approved. The Assistant Secretary (whose decision is final) will, within a reasonable time, advise the applicant whether the rejection will be upheld or reversed. Each HUD field office will be advised of Plans determined to be acceptable, or Plans that have been rejected.
(f) Existing Plans will be allowed a grace period of 9 months commencing from November 6, 1990 to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the provisions and requirements of §203.200 to §203.209.
(g) Each Plan issuer must submit a written certification addressed to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410, no later than three weeks before the anniversary date of the Plan's acceptance by HUD, that the insurance company backing its Plan is still an insurance carrier approved by the State insurance commission (or the equivalent entity) in each jurisdiction in which the Plan is offered, or is still a Risk Retention Group meeting the criteria of §203.208 of this part.
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0343)§ 203.203 Issuance and nature of insured 10-year protection plans.
(a) Plans may be issued:
(1) By a builder, warranty company, insurance company, or Risk Retention Group (see 15 U.S.C. 3901a(4)(A)–(H) (Supp. IV 1986); or
(2) By a State that guarantees the builder's performance and the State's continuing financial backing throughout the Plan's coverage period.
(b) All Plans must have insurance backing unless backed by the full faith and credit of a State.
(c)(1) Plans backed by the full faith and credit of a State must be in compliance with §203.200 through §203.202, §203.204 through §203.206, and §203.209 to be acceptable to HUD. HUD will evaluate these Plans to ensure their compliance with these sections.
(2) HUD will not accept Plans backed by a State agency or a State insurance guaranty fund unless HUD is assured that the full faith and credit of the State is pledged to satisfy any and all obligations of the State agency or guaranty fund that may arise in connection with its financial backing of a Plan.
(d) The functions of a Plan issuer and an insurance backer may be performed by a single corporate entity.
§ 203.204 Requirements and limitations of a plan.
In addition to complying with the criteria set out in §203.202 and §203.205, for a Plan to be acceptable to HUD, it must meet the following requirements:
(a) A Plan must assure timely resolution of homeowners' complaints or claims covered under §203.205. Warranties set forth in a Plan must comply with section 2301(a)(1)–(13) of the Magnuson-Mass Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act (15 U.S.C. 2301–2312) along with the requirements and criteria set out in this section.
(b) The entire cost to the homeowner for Plan coverage must be prepaid by the builder, or the Plan issuer must give irrevocable coverage, at the time of settlement. In the case of optional coverage beyond the coverage required under §203.205, the cost for the optional coverage may be paid by either the builder or the homeowner.
(c) Unexpired Plan coverage must be automatically transferred, without additional cost, to subsequent homeowners.
(d) Issued Plan coverage must be noncancellable by a Plan issuer or by its insurance backer(s).
(e) Exclusions from Plan coverage must not defeat coverage objectives stated in §203.202 and §203.205 and must permit normal homeowner use of the covered property, including normal maintenance and emergency property protection measures.
(f) Unless prohibited by applicable law, Plans must, at a minimum, stipulate that all homeowner complaints covered by a Plan, including those regarding construction deficiencies and structural defects claims, will be settled in the amount of their actual cost to correct or for the original sales price of the property, whichever is the lesser, subject to a deductible not to exceed a total of $250 for all claims filed by a homeowner during the first two years of coverage and not to exceed a maximum of $250 per claim during the third through the tenth year of coverage.
(1) In the case of claims filed by a condominium association, the deductible is limited to $250.00 per claim for each affected unit in the structure, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000.00 where the claim relates to the same event that affected several units. Recurrent claims for structural defects occasioned by a common cause shall be subject to the payment of no more than one deductible. In addition, a Plan covering a condominium must provide the condominium association with an additional warranty that allows for claims by homeowners involving the common elements of the building.
(2) A homeowner shall be liable for a deductible only if a builder defaults on warranty performance and the Plan issuer has to make the covered corrections. When the builder performs corrections under the builder's warranty, no deductible that may be included in the Plan is applicable.
(g) In the event of any dispute regarding a homeowner complaint or structural defect claim, Plans must, unless prohibited by applicable law, provide for binding arbitration proceedings arranged through a nationally recognized dispute settlement organization. The sharing of arbitration charges shall be as determined by the Plan. A Plan must contain pre-arbitration conciliation provisions at no cost to the homeowner, and provision for judicial resolution of disputes, but arbitration, which must be available to a homeowner during the entire term of the coverage contract, must be an assured recourse for a dissatisfied homeowner.
(h) Where a State has a home protection act or other statutes or regulations that require its approval of Plans, a Plan issuer must demonstrate such approval to HUD as an additional prerequisite to HUD acceptance.
(i) A Plan issuer must provide homeowners an executed coverage contract clearly describing—
(1) The identity of the property covered;
(2) The time at which coverage begins;
(3) The maximum amount of Plan liability;
(4) Noncancellability of the coverage contract by the Plan or its insurance backers;
(5) No-cost transferability of unexpired coverage to successors in title;
(6) The property coverage provided;
(7) Any exclusions from coverage;
(8) Performance standards for resolving homeowner complaints and claims (if standards for complaint and claim adjustment are promulgated as part of a Plan);
(9) Dispute settlement procedures;
(10) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the Plan issuer and its insurance backers; and
(11) When, to whom, under what conditions, and to what address homeowners should submit any construction deficiency complaints or structural defects claims.
(j) Plans will not be required to warrant that a covered property complies with:
(1) Original dwelling plans and specifications;
(2) Applicable building codes; or
(3) Specific terms of a homeowner's contract to purchase a property.
[55 FR 41021, Oct. 5, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 36264, July 9, 1996]
§ 203.205 Plan coverage.
(a) Plan coverage must take effect at closing or settlement following the initial sale of the property to the homeowner.
(b) During the first year of coverage, a Plan must provide for a warranty against defects in workmanship and materials resulting from the failure of the covered property to comply with standards of quality as measured by acceptable trade practices, as well as correct the problems with, or restore the reliable function of, appliances and equipment damaged during installation or improperly installed by the builder. The plan must also cover structural defects as defined in §203.200.
(c) During the first and second year of coverage, a Plan must provide a warranty against defects in the wiring, piping and ductwork in the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating, and mechanical systems.
(d) Basement slabs in designated areas must be covered by a warranty in the Plan against damage from the first through the fourth year.
(e) From the first through the tenth year, structural defect (as defined in §203.200), except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, must be covered by a warranty in the Plan.
(f) A Plan must provide insurance coverage for builder default on any warranty obligation.
The coverage described in paragraph (b) through (f) of this section is the minimum level of coverage that HUD will find acceptable in a Plan.
§ 203.206 Housing performance standards or criteria.
A Plan may contain housing performance standards or criteria for resolution of homeowner claims or complaints that are fair, reasonable, and consistent with the intent of the Plan, including Plan coverage under §203.205. If a Plan contains such criteria or standards, they must be acceptable to the Secretary.
§ 203.207 Designated area.
The Secretary may designate any part of the country as a “high risk area” where construction practices allow basement slabs to be placed on expansive or collapsible soil. By virtue of this authority, the Secretary has designated the State of Colorado as a “high risk area.”
§ 203.208 Insurance backing criteria.
An insurance company backing or operating a Plan must be duly licensed or approved (and with the Plan filed and approved where appropriate) to market such insurance coverage by the proper regulatory agency in each State in which the Plan will operate. Any company operating under the Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981, as amended, will be regarded as having met licensing, filing, and approval requirements of all States, but must first demonstrate that it—
(1) Meets licensing, filing and approval requirements in its domiciliary State; and
(2) Meets each of the requirements of paragraphs (A) through (H) of section (a)(4) of the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 (15 U.S.C. 3901(a)(4) (A) through (H), (Supp. IV 1986).
(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2502–0343)§ 203.209 Payments under a plan.
(a) If a Plan issuer or insurance backer elects to compensate a homeowner for damage suffered by the homeowner's property that is covered under a Plan in lieu of the Plan issuer's making repairs such compensation must be made jointly to the mortgagee and the homeowner.
(b) If payment is to be made to the mortgagee and homeowner, the Plan issuer first must receive the mortgagee's assurance in witing that the mortgagee is satisfied, based on a showing by the homeowner, that the homeowner has made a binding commitment to have the necessary repairs made to restore the damaged property. It a homeowner elects not to repair his or her damaged property, then the mortgagee must apply the compensation in reduction of the outstanding indebtedness of the mortgage.
Effective Date
§ 203.249 Effect of amendments.
The regulations in this subpart may be amended by the Secretary at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, but such amendment will not adversely affect the interests of a mortgagee under the contract of insurance on any mortgage or loan already insured, and will not adversely affect the interest of a mortgagee on any mortgage or loan to be insured for which either the Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance mortgagee has approved the mortgagor and all terms and conditions of the mortgage or loan, or the Secretary has issued a firm commitment. In addition, such amendment will not adversely affect the eligibility of specific property if such property is covered by a conditional commitment issued by the Secretary, a certificate of reasonable value issued by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or an appraisal report approved by a Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance underwriter.
[62 FR 30226, June 2, 1997]
Browse Next
