FHA Waives Timeframe for Completing Damage Inspections in Certain Counties Affected by California Wildfires

FHA issued a waiver regarding the timeframe for completing damage inspections in certain counties affected by the California wildfires. FHA currently requires that all properties with pending mortgages or endorsements in presidentially-declared major disaster areas have a damage inspection report that identifies and quantifies any dwelling damage. The damage inspection report must be dated after the “incident period” (as defined by FEMA). At this time, FEMA has designated the incident period for the California wildfires as ongoing. According to FHA, the situation in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties has stabilized to the extent that further damage to the properties appears unlikely, despite FEMA not having closed its incident period. As a result, FHA issued a waiver regarding the timing of the required inspection, allowing damage inspections to be completed beginning January 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The waiver expires April 30, 2020.

Click here to view the FHA Waiver of Housing Directive