source:
  type: guide
  id: hud-4000-1-iii-v-record-retention-servicing-file
  authority: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part III — v. Record
    Retention - Servicing File (04/29/2024)
  description: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part III — v. Record
    Retention - Servicing File (04/29/2024).
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: hud-4000-1-iii-v-record-retention-servicing-file-full
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-iii-v-record-retention-servicing-file-full
  section: FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1, Part III — v. Record
    Retention - Servicing File (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 III — v. Record
      Retention - Servicing File (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: 'v. Record Retention – Servicing File (04/29/2024) i. Definition
      The Servicing File refers to the Mortgagee’s record of all servicing activity
      on an FHA- insured HECM. ii. Standard The Mortgagee must retain all Servicing
      Files for a minimum of three years after the transfer or sale of the HECM or
      termination of mortgage insurance. The Mortgagee must maintain accurate records
      for each HECM serviced. In addition to the specific documentation requirements
      stated in this Handbook 4000.1, these records must include the following information:
      • HECM origination and endorsement documentation, including copies of the following
      documents, if applicable: • Conditional Commitment Direct Endorsement Statement
      of Appraised Value; • form HUD-92900.4, Firm Commitment, if applicable; • HECM
      loan agreement and exhibits; • Fannie Mae Form 1009, Residential Loan Application
      for Reverse Mortgages (RLARM), and Fannie Mae Form 1003/Freddie Mac Form 65,
      Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA); • Financial Assessment Worksheet;
      and • Mortgage Insurance Certificate (MIC); III. SERVICING AND LOSS MITIGATION
      B. Title II Insured Housing Programs Reverse Mortgages 2. Default Servicing
      Handbook 4000.1 1486 Last Revised: 11/26/2025 • MIP payments made; • documentation
      related to any recovery of hazard insurance proceeds; and • the FHA-insured
      HECMs in the Mortgagee’s portfolio and information on which HECMs have been
      acquired, sold, paid in full, and voluntarily terminated. The Mortgagee must
      also retain, in electronic and hard copy, the Mortgage, mortgage Note, deed
      of trust, or a lost note affidavit acceptable under state law, with the electronic
      copy marked “copy.” Where a claim is filed, the Mortgagee must retain documentation
      in compliance with the Claim File section for at least seven years after the
      final claim or latest supplemental claim settlement date. iii. Record Reconciliations
      HUD may require the Mortgagee to provide information evidencing reconciliation
      of Mortgagee records with HUD. This information may include identification,
      by HECM, of the following: • amount of MIP due and paid to HUD by time period
      for each insured HECM; • date insurance was terminated or servicing transferred,
      if applicable; and • date servicing was acquired, for HECMs acquired. The Mortgagee
      must ensure that HUD’s records accurately reflect the status of the HECM and
      both the correct Holder and Servicer of record. iv. Electronic Storage Where
      retention of a hard copy or original document is not required, the Mortgagee
      may use electronic storage methods for all servicing-related documents required
      in accordance with HUD regulations, handbooks, Mortgagee Letters, and notices.
      Regardless, the Mortgagee must be able to make available to HUD in the format
      (electronic or hard copy) requested legible documents within 24 hours of a request
      or as otherwise prescribed by HUD. 2. Default Servicing'
  judgment: false
