source:
  type: guide
  id: hud-4000-1-ii-m-environmental-and-safety-hazards
  authority: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — m. Environmental
    and Safety Hazards (01/24/2022)
  description: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — m. Environmental
    and Safety Hazards (01/24/2022).
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-m-environmental-and-safety-hazards-full
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-m-environmental-and-safety-hazards-full
  section: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — m. Environmental
    and Safety Hazards (01/24/2022)
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fha
  - hud-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — m. Environmental
      and Safety Hazards (01/24/2022)
    source_class: hud-handbook
    source_url: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-handbook-4000-1
    snapshot_id: 8c03836f77f317e1
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T00:28:40Z'
    content_hash: sha256:411430f29b13f9b54a2ebb0e6f6e7087ecd2b90d0da22eb0c8c792eaa2d7d0df
    paragraph_quote: 'm. Environmental and Safety Hazards (01/24/2022) The Appraiser
      must report known environmental and safety hazards and adverse conditions that
      may affect the health and safety of the occupants, the Property’s ability to
      serve as collateral, and the structural soundness of the improvements. Environmental
      and safety hazards may include defective lead-based paint, mold, toxic chemicals,
      radioactive materials, other pollution, hazardous activities, and potential
      damage to the Structure from soil or other differential ground movements, subsidence,
      flood, and other hazards. i. Lead-Based Paint (A) Improvements Built Before
      1978 The Appraiser must note the condition and location of all defective paint
      and require repair in compliance with 24 CFR § 200.810(c) and any applicable
      EPA requirements. The Appraiser must observe all interior and exterior surfaces,
      including common areas, stairs, deck, porch, railings, windows and doors, for
      defective paint (cracking, scaling, chipping, peeling, or loose). Exterior surfaces
      include those surfaces on fences, detached garages, storage sheds, and other
      outbuildings and appurtenant Structures. (B) Condominium Units Built Before
      1978 The Appraiser must observe the interior of the unit, common unit and exterior
      surfaces and appurtenant Structures of the specific unit being appraised; and
      address the overall condition, maintenance and appearance of the Condominium
      Project. The Appraiser must note the condition and location of all defective
      paint in the unit, common area and exterior, and require repair in compliance
      with 24 CFR § 200.810(c) and any applicable EPA requirements. ii. Methamphetamine
      Contaminated Property If the Mortgagee notifies the Appraiser or the Appraiser
      has evidence that a Property is contaminated by the presence of methamphetamine
      (meth), either by its manufacture or by consumption, the Appraiser must render
      the appraisal subject to the Property being certified safe for habitation. If
      the effective date of the appraisal is prior to certification that the Property
      (site and dwelling) is safe for habitation, the Appraiser will complete the
      appraisal subject to certification that the Property is safe for habitation.
      If the effective date of the appraisal is after certification that the Property
      (site and dwelling) is safe for habitation, and the Mortgagee has provided a
      copy of the certification by the certified hygienist, the Appraiser must include
      a copy of the certification in the appraisal report. II. ORIGINATION THROUGH
      POST-CLOSING/ENDORSEMENT D. Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II
      Forward and Reverse Mortgages 3. Acceptable Reporting Forms and Protocols (04/10/2025)
      Handbook 4000.1 835 Last Revised: 11/26/2025 The Appraiser must analyze and
      report any long-term stigma caused by the Property’s contamination by meth and
      the impact on value or marketability. iii. Wood Destroying Insects/Organisms/Termites
      The Appraiser must observe the foundation and perimeter of the buildings for
      evidence of wood destroying pests. The Appraiser’s observation is not required
      to be at the same level as a qualified pest control specialist. If there is
      evidence or notification of infestation, including a prior treatment, the Appraiser
      must mark the evidence of infestation box in the “Improvements” section of the
      appraisal and make the appraisal subject to inspection by a qualified pest control
      specialist.'
  judgment: false
