source:
  type: guide
  id: hud-4000-1-ii-c-individuals-required-to-receive-hecm-counseling
  authority: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — c. Individuals
    Required to Receive HECM Counseling (04/29/2024)
  description: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — c. Individuals
    Required to Receive HECM Counseling (04/29/2024).
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-c-individuals-required-to-receive-hecm-counseling-full
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-c-individuals-required-to-receive-hecm-counseling-full
  section: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part II — c. Individuals
    Required to Receive HECM Counseling (04/29/2024)
  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 — c. Individuals
      Required to Receive HECM Counseling (04/29/2024)
    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: 'c. Individuals Required to Receive HECM Counseling (04/29/2024)
      i. Definitions Non-Borrowing Spouse (NBS) refers to the spouse of a HECM Borrower
      who is also not a Borrower. Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse (Eligible NBS) refers
      to an NBS who meets all Qualifying Attributes for a Deferral Period. Non-Borrowing
      Owner refers to someone who is: • not a Borrower; • not the spouse of a Borrower;
      and • on the title as an owner to the Property that will serve as collateral
      for the HECM. ii. Standard The Mortgagee must ensure all Borrowers, NBSs, and
      Non-Borrowing Owners, with legal competency, have received HECM counseling from
      a counselor on the HECM Roster before processing the loan application or obtaining
      an FHA case number. The Mortgagee must ensure HECM counseling is completed by
      an agent or attorney-in- fact that holds a durable Power of Attorney (POA) if
      they execute the RLARM or closing documents on behalf of a legally competent
      Borrower or Eligible NBS. For any Borrower, NBS, or Non-Borrowing Owner lacking
      legal competency, HECM counseling must be completed by: II. ORIGINATION THROUGH
      POST-CLOSING/ENDORSEMENT B. Title II Insured Housing Programs Reverse Mortgages
      1. Origination/Counseling Requirements Handbook 4000.1 541 Last Revised: 11/26/2025
      • the person holding a POA; or • a court-appointed conservator or guardian.
      For additional information on HECM Counseling for individuals with a Living
      Trust or Life Estate see Eligibility Requirements for Property Held in Living
      Trusts and Eligibility Requirements for Borrowers Holding Only Life Estates.
      For additional information on HECM Counseling see HUD Handbook 7610.1.'
  judgment: false
