VA Appraisal Answers: Minimum Property Requirements For Access

We get many questions about VA appraisals. Some of the most common topics include whether or not a property will pass the appraisal in spite of certain unique characteristics of the land it's situated on or because of access to the home via of rural roadways or even dirt roads.

Every appraisal situation is different and borrowers should know that where local or state building code applies, VA loan minimum property requirements do not override those regulations. But in general, VA loan rules do cover access requirements. For example, in VA Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 12 under a section titled Access To Property, we find the following minimum property requirements or MPRs listed as a condition of loan approval:

"Each property must be provided with a safe and adequate pedestrian or vehicular access from a public or private street. Private streets must be

• protected by a permanent easement, and
• maintained by a homeowners association or joint maintenance agreement."

The rules for access also govern what type of access road--or at the very least, the type of materials that road is constructed from, is acceptable. According to Chapter 12, "All streets must have an all-weather surface."

There are other rules for access--did you know the VA requires the home to be accessible to the owner directly? Chapter 12 states, "Access to the living unit must be provided without passing through any other living unit..." But that isn't all. "Each living unit must be able to be used and maintained individually without trespass upon adjoining properties. Any easements required must run with the land."

 There is even a requirement for back yard access, which is similar to the property access rule. "Access to the rear yard must be provided without passing through any other living unit." The VA does recognize that row houses may present some unique compliance issues depending on the property, which is why Chapter 12 includes the following guidance:
 
"For a row-type dwelling, the access may be by means of

• alley
• easement
• passage through the subject dwelling, or
• other acceptable means.

For more information on these rules, contact the VA directly by calling 1-800 827-1000.

Do you have questions about VA home loans? Ask us in the comments section.