The
Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards
for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs. This includes
new single family homes, multi-family housing and health care type
facilities.
HUD Minimum Property Standards and How They Supplement the Model Building Codes
Until the mid-1980's, HUD maintained separate Minimum Property Standards
for different types of structures. Since that time, HUD has accepted
the model building codes, including over 250 referenced standards,
and local building codes, in lieu of separate and prescriptive HUD
standards.
However, there is one major area of difference between the MPS and
other model building codes: durability requirements. Homes and projects
financed by FHA-insured mortgages are the collateral for these loans
and their lack of durability can increase FHA's financial risk in
the event of default.
More specifically, the model codes do not contain any minimum requirements
for the durability of such items as doors, windows, gutters and
downspouts, painting and wall coverings, kitchen cabinets and carpeting.
The MPS includes minimum standards for these, and other items, to
ensure that the value of an FHA-insured home is not reduced by the
deterioration of these components.
HUD Field Office Acceptance for Areas without Building Codes
HUD requires that each property insured with an FHA mortgage meet
one of the nationally recognized building codes or a State or local
building code based on a nationally recognized building code. In
areas where such State or local codes are used, HUD determines if
the State or local code is comparable to the model building code.
There are also areas of the United States that do not have building
codes. If no State or local building code has been adopted, the
appropriate HUD Field Office will specify a building code that is
comparable to one of the nationally recognized model building codes.
Program Management
HUD manages the program from its Headquarters in Washington, DC.
The telephone number is (202) 708-6423; FAX number (202) 708-4213.
The mailing address is:
Manufactured Housing and Standards Division
Office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St. SW, Room 9152
Washington, D.C. 20410-8000
Other Related HUD Fact Sheets and Publications
HUD
Minimum Property Standards For Housing - HUD Handbook 4910.1,
issued July 29, 1994.
HUD
Technical Suitability of Products Program - HUD Handbook 4950.1
REV 3, issued August 11, 1997.
HUD
Architectural Processing and Inspections for Home Mortgage Insurance,
HUD Handbook 4145.1
Permanent
Foundations Guide For Manufactured Housing - issued September
1996. Also available as software. May be ordered by calling HUD
User at 1-800-245-2691.
Minimum Design Standards For Community Sewerage Systems,
HUD Handbook, 4940.3
Handbooks may be ordered from HUD's Customer Service Center by calling
1-800-767-7468. Additional information concerning HUD programs,
and a list of HUD Field Offices, is available on HUD's
World Wide Web site.
Points of Contact for Questions and Additional Information
HUD Field Offices should be contacted for additional information
concerning accepted building codes; Engineering or technical questions
concerning the Minimum Property Standards: Frank Quigleyor Jason
McJury, Engineers, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing, (202)
708-6423.
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