source:
  type: handbook
  id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility
  authority: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1.b — Borrower Eligibility (FHA Title II Forward
    Mortgages)
  description: 'FHA borrower-eligibility requirements from Handbook 4000.1 Part II.A.1:
    minimum decision credit score, borrower/co-borrower ownership and obligation,
    co-signers, and U.S. principal-residence.'
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-mdcs
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-mdcs
  section: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Minimum Decision Credit Score
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fha
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Minimum Decision Credit Score (FHA)
    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: (3) Borrower Minimum Decision Credit Score (a) Definition The
      Minimum Decision Credit Score (MDCS) refers to the credit score reported on
      the Borrower’s credit report when all reported scores are the same. Where three
      scores are reported, the median score is the MDCS. Where two differing scores
      are reported, the MDCS is the lowest score. Where only one score is reported,
      that score is the MDCS. An MDCS is determined for each Borrower. Where the Mortgage
      involves multiple Borrowers, the Mortgagee must determine the MDCS for each
      Borrower, and then select the lowest MDCS for all Borrowers. Where the Mortgage
      involves multiple Borrowers and one or more of the Borrowers do not have a credit
      score (non-traditional or insufficient credit), the Mortgagee must select the
      lowest MDCS of the Borrower(s) with credit score(s). (b) Eligibility Standard
      The Borrower is not eligible for FHA-insured financing if the MDCS is less than
      500.
  judgment: false
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-borrower-ownership
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-borrower-ownership
  section: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Borrower & Co-Borrower Ownership and Obligation
    Requirements
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fha
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Borrower & Co-Borrower Ownership and Obligation
      Requirements (FHA)
    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: (4) Borrower and Co-Borrower Ownership and Obligation Requirements
      To be eligible, all occupying and non-occupying Borrowers and co-Borrowers must
      take title to the Property in their own name or a living trust at settlement,
      be obligated on the Note or credit instrument, and sign all security instruments.
      In community property states, the Borrower’s spouse is not required to be a
      Borrower or a Co-signer. However, the Mortgage must be executed by all parties
      necessary to make the lien valid and enforceable under state law.
  judgment: false
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-cosigner
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-cosigner
  section: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Co-signer Requirements
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fha
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Co-signer Requirements (FHA)
    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: (5) Co-signer Requirements Co-signers are liable for the debt
      and therefore, must sign the Note. Co-signers do not hold an ownership interest
      in the subject Property and therefore, do not sign the security instrument.
  judgment: false
- id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-principal-residence-us
  canonical_id: hud-4000-1-ii-a-borrower-eligibility-principal-residence-us
  section: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Principal Residence in the United States
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - fha
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: HUD Handbook 4000.1 II.A.1 — Principal Residence in the United States
      (FHA)
    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: (6) Principal Residence in the United States Non-occupying co-Borrowers
      or Co-signers must either be United States (U.S.) citizens or have a Principal
      Residence in the U.S.
  judgment: false
