FR-6609-N-01 Request for Information Regarding Single Family Minimum Property Requirements (MPR)

D.R. Horton, Inc., a large homebuilder, supports the Request for Information regarding Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) to improve home affordability. They argue that HUD should reduce regulatory burdens by either restoring the distinction between MPRs and Minimum Property Standards (MPSs) for new construction, aligning MPRs with GSE standards, or accepting local code compliance as sufficient.

Leading Builders of America, a trade association representing large homebuilders, supports the review of FHA's Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) to reduce regulatory burdens and costs. They argue that requiring new construction to meet both Minimum Property Standards (MPSs) and MPRs is duplicative and suggest aligning MPRs with GSE requirements or local building codes to improve affordability.

The International Code Council (ICC) supports HUD's efforts to modernize single-family minimum property requirements (MPRs) and strongly encourages the agency to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as its baseline standard. They argue that leveraging this existing, privately developed consensus standard would improve safety, standardize compliance across jurisdictions, and fulfill federal mandates to use voluntary consensus standards.

G7 Service Group, a property preservation and compliance firm, supports HUD's efforts to modernize Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) and property preservation standards. They argue for clearer distinctions between cosmetic and functional defects, updated reimbursement structures to reflect current labor and material costs, and more flexible, technology-driven guidelines to improve housing inventory and operational efficiency.

The commenter supports aligning FHA minimum property requirements (MPR) with those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They argue that this change would reduce the stigma surrounding FHA appraisals, level the playing field for borrowers, and increase housing market participation.

Donald J. Martin, a highly experienced real estate appraiser and broker, argues against relaxing FHA Minimum Property Requirements. He contends that reducing these standards would lead to unsafe housing conditions, increased health hazards for homeowners, and a destabilization of the housing market.