Originally published in the March 3, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Questions surrounding attic inspection expectations under the FHA Single Family Housing Program have persisted for years within the appraisal profession. Although FHA has made incremental updates to its appraisal guidance, uncertainty remains as to whether attic observation is implied as a default requirement.

As of June 30, 2025, FHA no longer requires photographs of attics and crawlspaces and allows appraisers to note when attic access is blocked or not possible due to safety concerns. These changes were widely viewed as positive steps toward improving appraiser safety and reducing unnecessary risk. However, the absence of explicit language stating that attic viewing is not required has led to continued uncertainty in the field.

That uncertainty was heightened in late 2025 following the tragic death of an appraiser while performing an FHA appraisal. While incidents of this nature are rare, the event underscored long‑standing concerns within the appraisal profession about safety risks associated with attic access, particularly when such access provides limited additional information about a property’s condition.

In response, the Appraisal Institute formally engaged FHA to encourage further clarification of its guidance. The Appraisal Institute’s position is that attic inspection should not be implied as a default expectation, particularly when potential issues can typically be identified through exterior roof observations and other readily available indicators. As FHA has previously acknowledged, appraisers are already permitted to refrain from attic access when safety concerns exist, raising questions about the necessity of maintaining any implied expectation at all.

Representatives of the Appraisal Institute met with FHA officials this week to discuss these concerns and to emphasize the importance of clear, unambiguous policy language. Appraisal Institute representatives highlighted that clearer guidance would not only improve appraiser safety but also promote consistency across the appraisal process and reduce uncertainty for lenders, appraisers, and borrowers alike.

The Appraisal Institute is encouraged by the dialogue with FHA and is hopeful that the agency will provide additional clarification in the coming months. Clearer guidance would help ensure that appraisal requirements align with both sound valuation practice and the practical realities appraisers face in the field. The organization will continue to engage with FHA on this issue and keep members informed of any policy developments.