FHA Home Inspection Checklist Template - Get FREE Editable PDF

FHA home inspection checklist template

About the FHA home inspection checklist template

An FHA home inspection checklist template is essential for ensuring that homes meet the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) standards for safety and habitability. This template provides your team with a structured approach to evaluating homes, ensuring all critical areas are inspected.

By using this checklist, you can identify potential issues, ensure compliance, and enhance the safety and value of the property. This checklist empowers your organization to proactively manage home inspections, facilitating thorough evaluations and timely interventions.

Optimize your home inspection process and meet FHA standards

The primary goal of our FHA home inspection checklist template is to provide a comprehensive framework for assessing homes according to FHA standards. This template ensures all essential areas are covered, helping your team manage inspection tasks and ensure compliance. By using this checklist, you can streamline the inspection process, address issues early, and enhance the overall safety and value of the property.

Regular inspections help prevent costly repairs and ensure your organization meets FHA requirements. It supports a proactive approach with detailed documentation and regular assessments. Ultimately, this checklist fosters a compliant and safe living environment, enhancing the quality and marketability of the home.

Key elements of the FHA home inspection checklist template

Our checklist covers essential areas to ensure comprehensive home evaluations. It includes:

Structural integrity: Assess the foundation, roof, and walls for signs of damage or deterioration. Ensure that the home’s structure is sound and free from significant defects that could affect safety or habitability.
Safety features: Verify the presence and condition of safety features such as smoke detectors, handrails, and emergency exits. Ensure that these features are functional and compliant with FHA safety standards to protect occupants.
Plumbing and electrical systems: Inspect plumbing fixtures for leaks and ensure the electrical system is up to code. Proper maintenance of these systems is vital for preventing hazards and ensuring reliable service.
Heating and cooling systems: Check that HVAC systems are operational and adequate for the home’s size. Efficient systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable living environment and meeting FHA energy standards.
Interior and exterior conditions: Evaluate the condition of floors, walls, windows, and doors. Ensure that the home’s interior and exterior are well-maintained and free from hazards that could affect safety or value.
Documentation and follow-up: Maintain comprehensive records of inspections and any corrective actions taken. This ensures transparency and supports continuous improvement in inspection practices, providing a clear history of efforts and facilitating future planning.

Each section guides you through essential inspection tasks, ensuring nothing is overlooked. This comprehensive approach ensures successful home assessments, promoting safety and compliance within your properties.

Get started with Lumiform’s FHA home inspection checklist template

Ready to enhance your FHA home inspection routine? Download Lumiform’s free FHA home inspection checklist template today and implement a robust strategy for managing property evaluations. Our user-friendly template will help your team ensure compliance, prevent issues, and maintain high standards.

Act now—take the first step towards a compliant and safe home environment! Download your free template and set new standards with Lumiform.

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Preview of the template

General Informations

Property Adress

Name of real estate appraiser

Contact information

Grounds

Proper yard drainage away from the house

No evidence of standing water

No leaks from septic tanks or leech fields

Yard, landscaping, trees, and walkways in good condition

No branches or bushes touching the house or overhanging the roof

Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detaches garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood

Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure

Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from the structure

Downspout drainage directed away from structure

Additional remarks

Structure

The side of house appears straight, not bowed or sagging

Window and door frames appear square (especially bowed windows)

Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level

Additional remarks

Exterior Surfaces

Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials; no wood-to-earth contact

Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay

Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling, or flaking components

Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)

Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or lose siding

No vines on surface of structure

Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters

No stains on exterior surfaces

Take a reference photo

Front

Back

Side 1

Side 2

Additional remarks

Windows, Doors, and Wood Trim

Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, with no cracks, rot, or decay

Joints around frames are caulked

No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken double-paned, insulated window seals

Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition

Storm windows or thermal glass used

Drip caps installed over windows

Additional remarks

Interior Rooms

Floors, walls, and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level

No stains on floors, walls, or ceilings

Flooring materials in good condition

No significant cracks in walls or ceilings

Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes" installed

Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware

Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition

Wood trim installed well and in good condition

Lights and switches operate properly

Adequate number of three-pronged electrical outlets in each room

Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)

Heating/cooling source in each habitable room

Evidence of adequate insulation in walls

Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined

Additional remarks

Kitchen

Water flow in sink adequate

No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes

Built-in appliances operate properly

Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s)

Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly

No leaks in pipes under sinks

The floor in the cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay

Additional remarks

Bathrooms

Working exhaust fan that doesn't terminate in the attic space

Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures

Sink, tub, and shower drain properly

Plumbing and cabinet floor under the sink in good condition

If the sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak

Toilet operates properly

Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around the base

Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area

Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid

No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower

Additional remarks

Miscellaneous

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances

Stairway treads and risers solid

Stair handrails where needed and in good condition

Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles

Additional remarks

Basement or Mechanical Room

No evidence of moisture

Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence

Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to the foundation with anchor bolts

Insulation at rim/band joists

Additional remarks

Crawl Space

Adequately vented to exterior

Insulation on exposed water supply, waste, and vent pipes

Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area

No evidence of insect damage

No evidence of moisture damage

Additional remarks

Plumbing

Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system

Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house.

Water pump: does not short cycle

Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow

Well water test is acceptable

Hot water temperature between 118 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately 50 degrees Celcius

Additional remarks

Electrical

No aluminum cable for branch circuits

Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected

Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to the panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating

Additional remarks

Heating/Cooling System

Appears to operate well throughout (good airflow on forced hot air systems)

Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection

No rust around cooling unit

No combustion gas odor

Air filter(s) clean

The ductwork is in good condition

No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes, or air ducts

Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal

Additional remarks

Roof

Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over

Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits

Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition

Composition tiles/shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing

Wood tiles/shingles or shakes: no mold, rot, or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling

Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings

Flashing around roof penetrations

No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk

Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains

Additional remarks

Attic

No stains on the underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations

No evidence of decay or damage to structure

Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)

Adequate ventilation, clear path into the attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational

No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic

No open electrical splices

Additional remarks

Confirmation

Comments and observations

Real estate appraiser's signature

Date

This template was downloaded 6 times

Frequently asked questions

What are common challenges during an FHA home inspection?

One challenge is meeting the FHA’s minimum property standards, which include safety, security, and soundness. Homes must be free of hazards and structurally sound. If a property fails to meet these criteria, it may require costly repairs before approval. This can delay the loan process and impact the buyer’s ability to secure financing, leading to frustration for both buyers and sellers.

How can teams ensure effective communication during FHA inspections?

Effective communication involves clearly explaining the inspection process and any identified issues to all parties involved. Providing detailed reports and recommendations helps ensure that buyers, sellers, and real estate agents understand necessary repairs. Maintaining open lines of communication can help manage expectations and facilitate the timely resolution of any issues that arise during the inspection process.

What role do FHA inspections play in risk management?

An FHA home inspection identifies potential safety and structural issues, helping to mitigate risks for both the lender and the buyer. By ensuring the property meets FHA standards, the inspection reduces the likelihood of future costly repairs and protects the lender’s investment. This process helps buyers avoid purchasing homes with hidden defects.

How can FHA home inspections contribute to property value and safety?

FHA home inspections ensure that properties meet specific safety and quality standards, which can enhance the property’s value and marketability. By identifying and addressing potential issues early, these inspections help maintain the property’s condition and prevent future problems, ensuring a safe living environment for occupants and protecting the investment.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.