Chief Appraiser Says
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Water Heater Straps
Here's what we're talking about: water heater straps are a straightforward, correctable safety item that appraisers and inspectors flag the same way they would flag a missing smoke detector or a garage door safety sensor that isn't working. When these straps are missing or not properly installed, it's a specific repair we can point out to the property owner rather than something abstract or hard to fix. The passages treat this as part of the same category of basic safety deficiencies—things that are visually verifiable and inexpensive to address—that show up during a standard property inspection.
Straight from HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1, Garage Door Auto-Reverse Safety (16 CFR Part 1211 / UL 325), and Garage Conversions & Attic Stairs (IRC R302.6 fire separation; FHA/VA guidance) — nothing added.
Here's what we're talking about: water heater straps are a straightforward, correctable safety item that appraisers and inspectors flag the same way they would flag a missing smoke detector or a garage door safety sensor that isn't working. When these straps are missing or not properly installed, it's a specific repair we can point out to the property owner rather than something abstract or hard to fix. The passages treat this as part of the same category of basic safety deficiencies—things that are visually verifiable and inexpensive to address—that show up during a standard property inspection.
Straight from HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1, Garage Door Auto-Reverse Safety (16 CFR Part 1211 / UL 325), and Garage Conversions & Attic Stairs (IRC R302.6 fire separation; FHA/VA guidance) — nothing added.
Read the actual documents:
→ Handbook 4000.1 Transmittal (2023-01-18) (official agency copy)
→ Garage Door Auto Reverse Safety (Chief Appraiser Document Library)
→ Garage Conversions and Attic Stairs (Chief Appraiser Document Library)
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that faucets function appropriately, that both cold and hot water run, and that there are no readily observable evidence of leaks or structural damage under fixtures. The…
HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · Handbook_4000.1_Transmittal.pdf · Page 622
· View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) →
· Last verified: 2026-10-01
that faucets function appropriately, that both cold and hot water run, and that there are no readily observable evidence of leaks or structural damage under fixtures. The Appraiser must examine the water heater to ensure that it has a temperature and pressure-relief valve with piping to safely divert escaping steam or hot water. If the Property has a septic system, the Appraiser must visually observe it for any signs of failure or surface evidence of malfunction. If there are readily observable deficiencies, the Appraiser must require repair or further inspection. g. Roof Covering (09/14/2015) The Appraiser must notify the Mortgagee of the deficiency of MPR or MPS if the roof covering does not prevent entrance of moisture or provide reasonable
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heating water for domestic use; • solar heating and cooling systems; • caulking and weather-stripping; • furnace efficiency modifications limited to replacement burners, boilers,…
VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7) · VA-Lender-Handbook.pdf · Page 267
· View at official source (VA.gov — Appraisers/Staff Appraisal Reviewer) →
heating water for domestic use; • solar heating and cooling systems; • caulking and weather-stripping; • furnace efficiency modifications limited to replacement burners, boilers, or furnaces designed to reduce the firing rate or to achieve a reduction in the amount of fuel consumed as a result of increased combustion efficiency, devices for modifying flue openings which will increase the efficiency of the heating system, and electrical or mechanical furnace ignition systems which replace standing gas pilot lights; • clock thermostats; • new or additional ceiling, attic, wall and floor insulation; • water heater insulation; • storm windows and/or doors, including thermal windows and/or doors; • heat pumps; and • vapor barriers. b. Borrower Notice on the NOV Information on EEMs
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glass tinting • grates, furnace • guard rails • guttering • heat control devices • incinerators • insulation • interior work • ironing board, permanently installed • Jacuzzi,…
HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · Handbook_4000.1_Transmittal.pdf · Page 708
· View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) →
· Last verified: 2026-10-01
glass tinting • grates, furnace • guard rails • guttering • heat control devices • incinerators • insulation • interior work • ironing board, permanently installed • Jacuzzi, inside bathroom • jalousies • lattice work • utility building (sheds); permanent masonry /concrete foundation • vaults • venetian/mini blinds • ventilation hoods • ventilation systems • vents • verandas • wall heaters • wallboards • walls • warehouses • washtubs • water conditioners permanently installed in plumbing system (purifiers, softeners, sterilizers) • water coolers (permanent) • water heaters • water systems • water tower • water wells (must have Structure on Property and previously had water supply) • waterproofing • weatherstripping • wells (together with pumping and piping equipment) • Special