The mortgagor shall be a natural person or entity acceptable to the Commissioner, as limited by the applicable section of the Act, and shall possess the powers necessary and incidental to operating the project.

The requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 5, regarding the disclosure and verification of social security numbers and employer identification numbers by applicants and participants in assisted mortgage and loan insurance and related programs, apply to these programs.

The requirements set forth in part 202 of this chapter regarding approval, recertification, withdrawal of approval, approval for servicing, report requirements and conditions for supervised mortgagees, nonsupervised mortgagees, investing mortgagees, and governmental and similar institutions, apply to these programs.

Requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 44, Non-Federal Governmental Audit Requirements, apply to State and local governments (as defined in 24 CFR part 44) that receive mortgage insurance as mortgagees.

Mortgages must not exceed either the statutory dollar amount or loan ratio limitations established by the section of the Act under which the mortgage is insured, except that the Commissioner may increase the dollar amount limitations:

(a) By not to exceed 110 percent in any geographical area in which the Commissioner finds that cost levels so require; and

(b) By not to exceed 140 percent where the Commissioner determines it necessary on a project-by-project basis.

The principal amount computed in accordance with the applicable section of the Act for the insured mortgage shall be subject to additional adjustments and reductions in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

The mortgage shall cover the entire property included in the project.

A mortgagee may not require that the mortgage exceed a minimum amount established by the mortgagee, as a condition of providing a loan secured by a mortgage insured under this part.

An existing insured mortgage may be refinanced pursuant to provisions of section 223(a)(7) of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

Any mortgage assigned to the Commissioner in connection with payment under a contract of mortgage insurance, or executed in connection with a sale by the Commissioner of any property acquired under any section or title of the Act, may be insured pursuant to provisions of section 223(c) of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

An insured loan to cover the operating losses of a project with an existing Commissioner insured mortgage may be made in accordance with provisions of section 223(d) of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

A Mortgage financing the repair, rehabilitation or construction of a project located in an older declining urban area shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to provisions of section 223(e) of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

A mortgage financing the purchase or refinance of an existing rental housing project under section 207 of the Act, or for refinancing the existing debt of an existing nursing home, intermediate care facility, assisted living facility or board and care home, or any combination thereof, under section 232 of the Act, or hospital under section 242 of the Act may be insured pursuant to provisions of section 223(f) of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

A loan, advance of credit or purchase of an obligation representing a loan or advance of credit made for the purpose of financing improvements or additions to a project covered by a mortgage insured under any section of the Act or Commissioner held mortgage, or equipment for a nursing home, intermediate care facility, board and care home, assisted living facility, hospital or group practices facility, may be insured pursuant to the provisions of section 241 of the Act and such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

The requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 5, and subparts I, J, and M of this part pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity, apply to these programs.

The requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 200, subpart H, apply to these programs.

(a) The requirements set forth in 29 CFR parts 1, 3 and 5 for compliance with labor standards laws apply to projects under these programs to the extent that labor standards apply as provided in section 212 of the Act, provided that:

(1) The labor standards provisions do not apply to projects insured under sections 207 or 232 pursuant to section 223(f) of the Act; and

(2) Supplemental loans under section 241 of the Act are subject to the provisions of section 212 applicable to the section or title pursuant to which the mortgage covering the project is insured or pursuant to which the original mortgage was insured.

(b) The requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 70 apply to those programs with respect to which there is a statutory provision allowing HUD waiver of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates for volunteers.

(c) Project commitments, contracts and agreements, as determined by the Commissioner, and construction contracts and subcontracts, shall include terms, conditions and standards for compliance with applicable requirements set forth in 29 CFR parts 1, 3 and 5 and section 212 of the Act.

(d) No advance under a loan or mortgage that is subject to the requirements of section 212 shall be eligible for insurance unless there is filed with the application for the advance a certificate as required by the Commissioner certifying that the laborers and mechanics employed in construction of the project have been paid not less than the wage rates required under section 212.

The requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 200, subpart E, regarding the mortgagor's responsibility for making those investigations, analysis and inspections it deems necessary for protecting its interests in the property apply to these programs.

(a) Nondiscrimination in the selection of appraiser. In the selection of an appraiser, there shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

(b) Nondiscrimination in appraisal determination. The certification required by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice must include a statement that the racial/ethnic composition of the neighborhood surrounding the property in no way affected the appraisal determination.

The mortgagor must comply with the financial reporting requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart H.

The following fees apply to mortgages to be insured under this part.

(a) Application fee—SAMA letter (for new construction). An application fee of $1 per thousand dollars of the requested mortgage shall accompany the application for a SAMA letter. An additional fee of $1 per thousand dollars of the requested mortgage amount shall be charged for the review of plans and specifications.

(b) Application fee—feasibility letter (for substantial rehabilitation). An application fee of $3 per thousand dollars of the requested mortgage amount shall accompany the application for a feasibility letter.

(c) Application fee—conditional commitment. For a mortgage being insured under section 223(f) of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1715n), an application-commitment fee of $3 per thousand dollars of the requested mortgage amount shall accompany an application for conditional commitment. For a mortgage being insured under section 242 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-7), an application fee of $1.50 per thousand dollars of the amount loaned shall be paid to the Commissioner at the time the hospital proposal is submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval.

(d) Application fee—firm commitment: General. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, an application for firm commitment shall be accompanied by an application-commitment fee which, when added to any prior fees received in connection with applications for a SAMA letter or a feasibility letter will aggregate $5 per thousand dollars of the requested mortgage amount to be insured. The payment of an application-commitment fee shall not be required in connection with an insured mortgage involving the sale by the government of housing or property acquired, held or contracted pursuant to the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955 (42 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).

(2) Application fee—firm commitment: Hospitals. A firm-commitment fee which, when added to the application fee, shall aggregate $3 per thousand dollars of the amount of the loan set forth in the firm commitment shall be paid within 30 days after the date of the commitment. If the payment of a commitment fee is not received by the Commissioner within 30 days after the date of issuance of the commitment, the commitment shall expire on the 30th day.

(e) Inspection fee—(1) In general. The firm commitment may provide for the payment of an inspection fee in an amount not to exceed $5 per thousand dollars of the commitment. If an inspection fee is required, it shall be paid as follows:

(i) If the case involves insurance of advances, at the time of initial endorsement; or

(ii) If the case involves insurance upon completion, before the date construction is begun.

(2) Existing projects. For a mortgage being insured under section 223(f) of the Act, if the application provides for the completion of repairs, replacements and/or improvements (repairs), the Commissioner will charge an inspection fee equal to one percent (1%) of the cost of the repairs. However, where the Commissioner determines the cost of repairs is minimal, the Commissioner may establish a minimum inspection fee that exceeds one percent of the cost of repairs and can periodically increase or decrease this minimum fee.

(f) Fees on increases—(1) In general. Paragraph (f)(1) of this section applies to all applications except applications involving hospitals.

(i) Increase in firm commitment before endorsement. An application, filed before initial endorsement (or before endorsement in a case involving insurance upon completion), for an increase in the amount of an outstanding firm commitment shall be accompanied by a combined additional application and commitment fee. This combined additional fee shall be in an amount which will aggregate $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of the requested increase. If an inspection fee was required in the original commitment, an additional inspection fee shall be paid in an amount computed at the same dollar rate per thousand dollars of the amount of increase in commitment as was used for the inspection fee required in the original commitment. When insurance of advances is involved, the additional inspection fee shall be paid at the time of initial endorsement. When insurance upon completion is involved, the additional inspection fee shall be paid before the date construction is begun or if construction has begun, it shall be paid with the application for increase.

(ii) Increase in mortgage between initial and final endorsement. Upon an application, filed between initial and final endorsement, for an increase in the amount of the mortgage, either by amendment or by substitution of a new mortgage, a combined additional application and commitment fee shall accompany the application. This combined additional fee shall be in an amount which will aggregate $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of the increase requested. If an inspection fee was required in the original commitment, an additional inspection fee shall accompany the application in an amount not to exceed the $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of the increase requested.

(iii) Loan to cover operating losses. In connection with a loan to cover operating losses (see § 200.22), a combined application and commitment fee of $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of the loan applied for shall be submitted with the application for a firm commitment. No inspection fee shall be required.

(2) Hospitals. Paragraph (f)(2) of this section applies to applications in connection with a mortgage to be insured under section 242 of the Act.

(i) Increase in commitment prior to endorsement. Upon an application, filed prior to initial endorsement (or prior to endorsement in a case involving insurance upon completion), for an increase in the amount of an outstanding commitment, an additional application fee of $1.50 per thousand dollars computed on the amount of the increase requested shall accompany the application. Any increase in the amount of a commitment shall be subject to the payment of an additional commitment fee which, when added to the additional application fee, will aggregate $3 per thousand dollars of the amount of the increase. The additional commitment fee shall be paid within 30 days after the date of the amended commitment. If the additional commitment fee is not paid within 30 days, the commitment for the increased amount will expire and the previous commitment will be reinstated. If an inspection fee was required in the original commitment, an additional inspection fee shall be paid in an amount not to exceed $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of increase in commitment. Where insurance of advances is involved, the additional inspection fee shall be paid at the time of initial endorsement. Where insurance upon completion is involved, the additional inspection fee shall be paid prior to the date construction is begun or within 30 days after the date of the issuance of the amended commitment, if construction has begun.

(ii) Increase in mortgage between initial and final endorsement. Upon an application, filed between initial and final endorsement, for an increase in the amount of the mortgage, either by amendment or by substitution of a new mortgage, an additional application fee of $1.50 per thousand dollars computed on the amount of the increase requested shall accompany the application. The approval of any increase in the amount of the mortgage shall be subject to the payment of an additional commitment fee which, when added to the additional application fee, will aggregate $3 per thousand dollars of the amount of the increase granted. If an inspection fee was required in the original commitment, an additional inspection fee shall be paid in an amount not to exceed $5 per thousand dollars of the amount of the increase granted. The additional commitment and inspection fees shall be paid within 30 days after the increase is granted.

(g) Reopening of expired commitments. An expired commitment may be reopened if a request for reopening is received by the Commissioner within 90 days of the expiration of the commitment. The reopening request shall be accompanied by a fee of 50 cents per thousand dollars of the amount of the expired commitment. If the reopening request is not received by the Commissioner within the required 90-day period, a new application, accompanied by the required application and commitment fee, must be submitted.

(h) Transfer fee. Upon application for approval of a transfer of physical assets or the substitution of mortgagors, a transfer fee of 50 cents per thousand dollars shall be paid on the original face amount of the mortgage in all cases, except that a transfer fee shall not be paid where both parties to the transfer transaction are nonprofit organizations.

(i) Refund of fees. If the amount of the commitment issued or increase in mortgage granted is less than the amount applied for, the Commissioner shall refund the excess amount of the application and commitment fees submitted by the applicant. If an application is rejected before it is assigned for processing, or in such other instances as the Commissioner may determine, the entire application and commitment fee or any portion thereof may be returned to the applicant. Commitment, inspection and reopening fees may be refunded, in whole or in part, if it is determined by the Commissioner that there is a lack of need for the housing or that the construction or financing of the project has been prevented because of condemnation proceedings or other legal action taken by a governmental body or public agency, or in such other instances as the Commissioner may determine. A transfer fee may be refunded only in such instances as the Commissioner may determine.

(j) Fees not required. The payment of an application, commitment, inspection, or reopening fee shall not be required in connection with the insurance of a mortgage involving the sale by the Secretary of any property acquired under any section or title of the Act.

(a) Mortgagee fees and charges included in the mortgage must be for actual required services provided to the mortgagor by the mortgagee, and shall not exceed common market rates for such services as determined by the Commissioner.

(b) Mortgagee charges for prepayment of the mortgage and late mortgage payments shall not exceed that determined appropriate by the Commissioner.

(a) Preapplication conference. Except for mortgages insured under section 241(f) or 242 of the Act, the local HUD Office will determine whether participation in such a conference is required as a condition to submission of an initial application for either a site appraisal and market analysis (SAMA) letter (for new construction), a feasibility letter (for substantial rehabilitation), or for a firm commitment. The project sponsor may elect (after the preapplication conference if required) to submit an application for a SAMA or a feasibility letter (as appropriate), or for a firm commitment for insurance depending upon the completeness of the drawings, specifications and other required exhibits. An application for a SAMA or feasibility letter may be submitted by the project sponsor. An application for a firm commitment for insurance must be submitted by both the project sponsor and an approved mortgagee. Applications shall be submitted to the local HUD Office on HUD-approved forms. No application will be considered unless accompanied by all exhibits required by the form and program handbooks. At the option of the local HUD Office, the SAMA/Feasibility letter stage of processing can be combined with the firm commitment stage of processing.

(b) Firm commitment requirement. An application for a firm commitment must be made by an approved mortgagee for any project for which a mortgagor seeks mortgage insurance under the Act.

(c) Staged applications. Staged applications leading to an application for firm commitment shall be made as determined appropriate by the Commissioner, and in accordance with such terms and conditions established by the Commissioner. The intermediate stages to firm commitment may include a site appraisal and market analysis (SAMA) letter stage or a feasibility letter stage and a conditional commitment. The conditional commitment stage applies only to mortgages to be insured pursuant to section 223(f) of the Act.

(d) Effect of SAMA letter, feasibility letter, and firm commitment—(1) SAMA letter. (i) The issuance of a SAMA letter indicates completion of the site appraisal and market analysis stage to determine initial acceptability of the site and recognition of a specific market need. The SAMA letter is not a commitment to insure a mortgage for the proposed project and does not bind the Commissioner to issue a firm commitment to insure. The SAMA letter precedes the later submission of acceptable plans and specifications for the proposed project and is limited to advising the applicant as to the following determinations of the Commissioner, which shall not be changed to the detriment of an applicant, if the application for a firm commitment is received before expiration of the SAMA letter:

(A) The land value fully improved (with off-site improvements installed);

(B) The acceptability of the proposed project site, the proposed composition, number and size of the units and the market for the number of proposed units. Where the application is not acceptable as submitted, but can be made acceptable by a change in the number, size, or composition of the units, the SAMA letter may establish the specific lesser number of units which would be acceptable and any acceptable alternative plan for the composition and size of units; and

(C) The acceptability of the unit rents proposed. Where rent levels are unacceptable, the SAMA letter may establish specific rents which are acceptable.

(ii) After receiving a SAMA letter, the sponsor shall submit design drawings and specifications in a timeframe prescribed by the Commissioner. The Commissioner will review and comment on design development and the drawings and specifications. The comments will be provided to the sponsor for use in preparing a firm commitment application.

(2) Feasibility letter. The issuance of a feasibility letter indicates approval of the preliminary work write-up and outline specifications and completion of technical processing involving the estimated rehabilitation cost of the project, the “as is” value of the site, the detailed estimates of operating expenses and taxes, the specific unit rents, the vacancy allowance, and the estimated mortgage amount. The issuance of a feasibility letter is not a commitment to insure a mortgage for the proposed project and does not bind the Commissioner to issue a firm commitment to insure. Determinations found in a feasibility letter are not to be binding upon the Department and may be changed in whole or in part at any later point in time. The letter may even be unilaterally terminated by the Commissioner if found necessary.

(3) Conditional commitment. The issuance of a Section 223(f) conditional commitment indicates completion of technical processing involving the estimated value of the property, the detailed estimates of rents, operating expenses and taxes and an estimated mortgage amount.

(e) Term of SAMA letter, feasibility letter, and conditional commitment. A SAMA letter, a feasibility letter, and a conditional commitment shall be effective for whatever term is specified in the respective letter or commitment.

(f) Rejection of an application. A significant deviation in an application from the Commissioner's terms or conditions in an earlier stage application commitment or agreement shall be grounds for rejection. The fees paid to such date shall be considered as having been earned notwithstanding such rejection.

Upon approval of an application for insurance, a commitment shall be issued by the Commissioner setting forth the terms and conditions upon which the mortgage will be insured. The commitment term and any extension or reopening of an expired commitment shall be in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner.

A valid firm commitment must be in effect at the time the mortgage instrument is endorsed.

(a) Insurance upon completion. The commitment shall provide the terms and conditions for the insurance of the mortgage:

(1) After completion of construction or substantial rehabilitation of the project; or

(2) Upon completion of required work, except as deferred by the Commissioner in accordance with terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner, for an existing project without substantial rehabilitation.

(b) Insured advances. The commitment shall provide for insurance of the mortgage as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, and for the insurance of mortgage money advanced in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner during: construction; substantial rehabilitation; or other work acceptable to the Commissioner.

The mortgagor and mortgagee must execute a building loan agreement approved by the Commissioner, that sets forth the terms and conditions under which progress payments may be advanced during construction, before initial endorsement of the mortgage for insurance.

The mortgagee shall certify to the Commissioner that it will conform with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner for the mortgagee's control of project funds, and other incidental requirements established by the Commissioner.

The form of contract between the mortgagor and builder shall be as prescribed by the Commissioner in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

The mortgagor shall deposit cash with the mortgagee, or in a depository satisfactory to the mortgagee and under control of the mortgagee, in accordance with terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner for:

(a) Accruals for taxes, ground rates, mortgage insurance premiums, and property insurance premiums, during the course of construction;

(b) Meeting the cost of equipping and renting the project subsequent to its completion in whole or part; and

(c) Allocation by the mortgagee for assessments required by the terms of the mortgage in an amount acceptable to the Commissioner.

The mortgagor shall deposit with the mortgagee cash deemed by the Commissioner to be sufficient, when added to the proceeds of the insured mortgage, to assure completion of the project and to pay the initial service charge, carrying charges, and legal and organizational expenses incident to the construction of the project. The Commissioner may accept a lesser cash deposit or an alternative to a cash deposit in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner, where the required funding is to be provided by a grant or loan from a Federal, State, or local government agency or instrumentality.

(a) An agreement acceptable to the Commissioner shall require that funds provided by the mortgagor under requirements of this section must be disbursed in full for project work, material and incidental charges and expenses before disbursement of any mortgage proceeds, except;

(b) Funds provided by a grant or loan from a Federal, State or local governmental agency or instrumentality under requirements of this section need not be fully disbursed before the disbursement of mortgage proceeds, where approved by the Commissioner in accordance with terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner.

Fees and charges approved by the Commissioner in excess of the initial service charge shall be deposited with the mortgagee in cash before initial endorsement, except as otherwise preapproved by the Commissioner.

The mortgagor shall furnish assurance of completion of the project in the form and amount provided by terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner.

An assurance of completion for offsite utilities, streets, and other facilities required for a buildable site shall be provided in an amount and form acceptable to the Commissioner, except where a municipality or other public body has, in a manner acceptable to the Commissioner, agreed to install such improvements without cost to the mortgagor.

(a) Marketable title to the project must be vested in the mortgagor as of the date the mortgage is filed for record.

(b) Title evidence for the Commissioner's examination shall include a lender's title insurance policy, which title policy provides survey coverage based on a survey acceptable to the title company and the Commissioner; or as the Commissioner may otherwise require, in accordance with terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner.

(c) Endorsement of the credit instrument for insurance shall evidence the acceptability of title evidence.

Any agreement, undertaking, statement or certification required by the Commissioner shall specifically state that it has been made, presented, and delivered for the purpose of influencing an official action of the FHA, and of the Commissioner, and may be relied upon by the Commissioner as a true statement of the facts contained therein.

(a) Deposits. Where the Commissioner requires the mortgagor to make a deposit of cash or securities, such deposit shall be with the mortgagee or a depository acceptable to the mortgagee. The deposit shall be held by the mortgagee in a special account or by the depository under an appropriate agreement approved by the Commissioner.

(b) Letter of credit. Where the use of a letter of credit is acceptable to the Commissioner in lieu of a deposit of cash or securities, the letter of credit shall be issued to the mortgagee by a banking institution and shall be unconditional and irrevocable:

(1) The mortgagee of record may not be the issuer of any letter of credit without the prior written consent of the Commissioner.

(2) The mortgagee shall be responsible to the Commissioner for collection under the letter of credit. In the event a demand for payment thereunder is not immediately met, the mortgagee shall immediately provide a cash deposit equivalent to the undrawn balance of the letter of credit.

The property must be held by an eligible mortgagor, and must conform with requirements pertaining to property location and fee or lease interests of the section of the Act under which the mortgage is insured.

The project must be free and clear of all liens other than the insured mortgage, except that the property may be subject to an inferior lien as provided by terms and conditions established by the Commissioner for an inferior lien:

(a) Made or held by a Federal, State or local government instrumentality;

(b) Required in connection with: an operating loss loan insured pursuant to a section 223(d) of the Act; a supplemental loan insured pursuant to section 241 of the Act; or a mortgage to purchase or refinance an existing project pursuant to section 223(f) of the Act; or

(c) As otherwise provided by the Commissioner.

The project when completed shall not violate any material zoning or deed restrictions applicable to the project site, and shall comply with all applicable building and other governmental codes, ordinances, regulations and requirements.

(a) The property shall be suitable and principally designed for the intended use, as provided by the applicable section of the Act under which the mortgage is insured, and have long-term marketability. Design, construction, substantial rehabilitation and repairs shall be in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner.

(b) A project may include such commercial and community facilities as the Commissioner deems acceptable.

(c) The improvements shall constitute a single project. Not less than five rental dwelling units or personal care units, 20 medical care beds, or 50 manufactured home pads, shall be on one site, except that such limitations do not apply to group practice facilities.

The requirements set forth in subpart S of this part apply to these programs, except for hospitals insured under section 242 of the Act and group practice facilities insured under title XI of the Act.

Requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 50, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality, 24 CFR part 51, Environmental Criteria and Standards, 24 CFR part 55, Implementation of Executive Order 11988, Flood Plain Management, and as otherwise required by the Commissioner apply to these programs.

Smoke detectors and alarm devices must be installed in accordance with standards and criteria acceptable to the Commissioner for the protection of occupants in any dwelling or facility bedroom or other primary sleeping area.

Requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 35 apply to these programs.

Construction, mechanical equipment, and energy and metering selections shall provide cost effective energy conservation in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner.

The mortgage shall be:

(a) Executed on a form approved by the Commissioner for use in the jurisdiction in which the property securing the mortgage is situated, which form shall not be changed without the prior written approval of the Commissioner.

(b) Executed by an eligible mortgagor.

(c) A first lien on the property securing the mortgage, which property conforms with the property standards prescribed by the Commissioner.

The mortgagee shall be obligated, as a part of the mortgage transaction, to disburse the principal amount of the mortgage to the:

(a) Mortgagor or mortgagor's account;

(b) Mortgagor's creditors for the mortgagor's account, subject to the mortgagor's consent.

The mortgage shall have a maturity satisfactory to the Commissioner, and shall contain complete amortization or sinking-fund provisions satisfactory to the Commissioner.

(a) The maximum mortgage term may not exceed the lesser of:

(1) Any limits included under the applicable section of the Act.

(2) Thirty-five years for existing projects, except that the mortgage term may be up to 40 years under terms and conditions established by the Commissioner, and 40 years for proposed construction and substantial rehabilitation projects.

(3) Seventy-five percent of the estimated remaining economic life of the physical improvements.

(b) The minimum mortgage term shall not be less than 10 years.

(a) The mortgage shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor.

(b) Interest shall be payable in monthly installments on the principal amount of the mortgage outstanding on the due date of each installment.

(c) The amount of any increase approved by the Commissioner in the mortgage amount between initial and final endorsement in excess of the amount that the Commissioner had committed to insure at initial endorsement shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor.

The mortgage shall provide for:

(a) A single aggregate payment each month for all payments to be made by the mortgagor to the mortgagee.

(b) The mortgagor to pay to the mortgagee:

(1) Interest and principal on the first day of each month in accordance with an amortization plan agreed upon by the mortgagor, the mortgagee and the Commissioner.

(i) Date of first payment to interest shall be the endorsement date or, where there are insured advances, the initial endorsement date.

(ii) Date of first payment to principal. The Commissioner shall estimate the time necessary to complete the project and shall establish the date of the first payment to principal so that the lapse of time between completion of the project and commencement of amortization will not be longer than necessary to obtain sustaining occupancy.

(2) An amount on each interest payment date sufficient to accumulate in the hands of the mortgagee one payment period prior to its due date, the next annual mortgage insurance premium payable by the mortgagee to the Commissioner. Such payments shall continue only so long as the contract of insurance shall remain in effect.

(3) Equal monthly payments as will amortize the ground rents, if any, and the estimated amount of all taxes, water charges, special assessments, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums, within a period ending one month prior to the dates on which the same become delinquent.

(4) The mortgage shall further provide:

(i) That such payments shall be held by the mortgagee, for the purpose of paying such items before they become delinquent.

(ii) For adjustments in case such estimated amounts shall prove to be more, or less, than the actual amounts so paid therefor by the mortgagor.

(c) The mortgagee to apply each mortgagor payment received to the following items in the order set forth:

(1) Premium charges under the contract of mortgage insurance.

(2) Ground rents, taxes, special assessments, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums.

(3) Interest on the mortgage.

(4) Amortization of the principal of the mortgage.

(a) The mortgage shall contain a covenant against the creation by the mortgagor of liens against the property superior or inferior to the lien of the mortgage except for such inferior lien as may be approved by the Commissioner in accordance with provisions of § 200.71; and

(b) A covenant against repayment of a Commissioner approved inferior lien from mortgage proceeds other than surplus cash or residual receipts, except in the case of an inferior lien created by an operating loss loan insured pursuant to section 223(d) of the Act, or a supplemental loan insured pursuant to section 241 of the Act.

The mortgage shall contain a covenant binding the mortgagor to maintain fire and extended coverage insurance on the property in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Commissioner.

(a) Prepayment privilege. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section or otherwise established by the Commissioner, the mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part upon any interest payment date, after giving the mortgagee 30 days’ notice in writing in advance of its intention to so prepay.

(b) Prepayment charge. The mortgage may contain a provision for such charge, in the event of prepayment of principal, as may be agreed upon between the mortgagor and the mortgagee, subject to the following:

(1) The mortgagor shall be permitted to prepay up to 15 percent of the original principal amount of the mortgage in any one calendar year without any such charge.

(2) Any reduction in the original principal amount of the mortgage resulting from the certification of cost which the Commissioner may require shall not be construed as a prepayment of the mortgage.

(c) Prepayment of bond-financed or GNMA securitized mortgages. Where the mortgage is given to secure GNMA mortgage-backed securities or a loan made by a lender that has obtained the funds for the loan by the issuance and sale of bonds or bond anticipation notes, or both, the mortgage may contain a prepayment restriction and prepayment penalty charge acceptable to the Commissioner as to term, amount, and conditions.

(d) HUD override of prepayment restrictions. In the event of a default, the Commissioner may override any lockout, prepayment penalty or combination thereof in order to facilitate a partial or full refinancing of the mortgaged property and avoid a claim.

The mortgage may provide for the collection by the mortgagee of a late charge in accordance with terms, conditions and standards of the Commissioner for each dollar of each payment to interest or principal more than 15 days in arrears to cover the expense involved in handling delinquent payments. Late charges shall be separately charged to and collected from the mortgagor and shall not be deducted from any aggregate monthly payment.

(a) Before initial endorsement of the mortgage for insurance, the mortgagor, the mortgagee, and the Commissioner shall enter into an agreement in form and content satisfactory to the Commissioner for the purpose of precluding any excess of mortgage proceeds over statutory limitations. Under this agreement, the mortgagor shall disclose its relationship with the builder, including any collateral agreement, and shall agree:

(1) To enter into a construction contract, the terms of which shall depend on whether or not there exists an identity of interest between the mortgagor and the builder.

(2) To execute a Certificate of Actual Costs, upon completion of all physical improvements on the mortgaged property.

(3) To apply in reduction of the outstanding balance of the principal of the mortgage any excess of mortgage proceeds over statutory limitations based on actual cost.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section relating to disclosure and the requirement for a construction contract shall not apply where the mortgagor is the general contractor.

(a) The mortgagor's certificate of actual cost, in a form prescribed by the Commissioner, shall be submitted upon completion of the physical improvements to the satisfaction of the Commissioner and before final endorsement, except that in the case of an existing project that does not require substantial rehabilitation and where the commitment provides for completion of specified repairs after endorsement, a supplemental certificate of actual cost will be submitted covering the completed costs of any such repairs. The certificate shall show the actual cost to the mortgagor, after deduction of any kickbacks, rebates, trade discounts, or other similar payments to the mortgagor, or to any of its officers, directors, stockholders, partners or other entity member ownership, of construction and other costs, as prescribed by the Commissioner.

(b) The Certificate of Actual Cost shall be verified by an independent Certified Public Accountant or independent public accountant in a manner acceptable to the Commissioner.

(c) Upon the Commissioner's approval of the mortgagor's certification of actual cost such certification shall be final and incontestable except for fraud or material misrepresentation on the part of the mortgagor.

The credit instrument shall be initially and finally endorsed simultaneously for insurance pursuant to a commitment to insure upon completion. Where the advances of construction funds are to be insured pursuant to a commitment for insured advances, initial endorsement of the credit instrument shall occur before any mortgage proceeds are insured and the time of final endorsement shall be as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.

(a) Initial endorsement. The Commissioner shall indicate the insurance of the mortgage by endorsing the original credit instrument and identifying the section of the Act and the regulations under which the mortgage is insured and the date of insurance.

(b) Final endorsement. When all advances of mortgage proceeds have been made and all the terms and conditions of the commitment have been met to the Commissioner's satisfaction the Commissioner shall indicate on the original credit instrument the total of all advances approved for insurance and again endorse such instrument.

(c) Contract rights and obligations. The Commissioner and the mortgagee or lender shall be bound from the date of initial endorsement, whether the initial and final endorsement occur simultaneously or are split, by the provisions of the Contract Rights and Obligations set forth in the respective regulations for each section of the Act, as follows: Section 207 of the Act (24 CFR part 207); Section 213 of the Act (24 CFR part 213); Section 220 of the Act (24 CFR part 220); Section 221 of the Act (24 CFR part 221); Section 231 of the Act (24 CFR part 231); Section 232 of the Act (24 CFR part 232); Section 234 of the Act (24 CFR part 234); Section 241 of the Act (24 CFR part 241); Section 242 of the Act (24 CFR part 242); title XI of the Act (24 CFR part 244).

The mortgagor shall certify at the final endorsement of the mortgage for insurance as to each of the following:

(a) That the mortgage is the first lien upon and covers the entire project, including any equipment financed with mortgage proceeds.

(b) That the property upon which the improvements have been made or constructed and the equipment financed with mortgage proceeds are free and clear of all liens other than the insured mortgage and such other liens as may be approved by the Commissioner.

(c) That the certificate sets forth all unpaid obligations in connection with the mortgage transaction, the purchase of the mortgaged property, the construction or rehabilitation of the project or the purchase of the equipment financed with mortgage proceeds.

(a) As long as the Commissioner is the insurer or holder of the mortgage, the Commissioner shall regulate the mortgagor by means of a regulatory agreement providing terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner, or by such other means as the Commissioner may prescribe.

(b) The Commissioner may delegate to the mortgagee, or other party, in accordance with terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner in any executed Regulatory Agreement or other instrumentality granting the Commissioner supervision of the mortgagor.

Mortgagors with projects assisted through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program or receiving other government assistance (as defined in HUD's regulations implementing the HUD Reform Act) may be regulated by the Commissioner as limited distribution mortgagors.

It is the Department's policy that participants in its housing programs be responsible individuals and organizations who will honor their legal, financial and contractual obligations. Accordingly, uniform standards are established in this part for approval, disapproval, or withholding of action on principals in projects based upon their past performance as well as other aspects of their records.

The Previous Participation Review and Clearance procedure set forth in this part is administered by the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner and is applicable to all principals and to their:

(a) Projects already financed or which are proposed to be financed with a mortgage insured under the National Housing Act and projects subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary under that Act or projects acquired by the Secretary under that Act (FHA projects);

(b) Projects financed or to be financed with direct loans or projects acquired by the Secretary pursuant to section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped);

(c) Projects in which 20% or more of the units now receive or will receive a subsidy in the form of:

(1) Interest reduction payments under section 236 of the National Housing Act;

(2) Rent Supplement payments under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965;

(3) Housing assistance payments under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (with the exception of the programs described in 24 CFR part 882, subparts A, B, C and F, and in 24 CFR part 887, which are tenant-based programs);

(d) Sales of projects by the Secretary, including “all cash” sales.

(a) Affiliate. Any person or business concern that directly or indirectly controls policy of a principal or has the power to do so is an affiliate. Persons and business concerns controlled by the same third party are also affiliates.

(b) Felony. A felony is any offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, but does not include any offense classified as a misdemeanor under the laws of a State and punishable by a term of imprisonment of two years or less.

(c) Packager or Consultant. A person or firm that furnishes or proposes to furnish advisory services in connection with the financing or construction of a project and the related HUD requirements. Such services may include, but are not limited to, the selection and negotiation of contracts with a general contractor, architect, attorney or management agent.

(d) Participation Control Officer. (See § 200.224)

(e) Principal. (1) An individual, joint venture, partnership, corporation, trust, nonprofit association, or any other public or private entity proposing to participate, or participating, in a project as sponsor, owner, prime contractor, Turnkey Developer, management agent, nursing home administrator or operator, packager, or consultant; and architects and attorneys who have any interest in the project other than an arms-length fee arrangement for professional services.

(2) The term principal also includes: (i) Any affiliates of a principal; (ii) if the principal is a partnership, all general partners, and each limited partner having a 25 percent or more interest in the partnership; (iii) if the principal is a public or private corporation or governmental entity; the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer and any other executive officers who are directly responsible to the Board of Directors, or the equivalent thereof; all the directors; and each stockholder having a 10 percent or more interest.

(3) Specifically excepted from this definition of a principal are: (i) Parties whose sole interest is that of purchaser or owner of less than five individual unit(s) in the same condominium or cooperative development; (ii) parties whose sole interest is that of a tenant; and (iii) Public Housing Agencies.

(f) Project. A project is: (1) Five or more residential units covered by a single mortgage, loan or contract of assistance; (2) a hospital, group practice facility or nursing home; (3) cooperative and condominium developments; and (4) a subdivision being developed and financed with a mortgage under title X of the National Housing Act.

(g) Review Committee. (See §§ 200.224 and 200.93).

(h) Risk. In order to determine whether a participant's participation in a project would constitute an unacceptable risk, the following factors must be considered: Financial stability; previous performance in accordance with HUD statutes, regulations, and program requirements; general business practices; or other factors which indicate to the MPRC that the principal could not be expected to operate the project in a manner consistent with furthering the Department's purpose of supporting and providing decent, safe and affordable housing for the public.

(a) A previous participation certificate on a form prescribed by the Assistant Secretary of Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner shall be completed by every principal in each of the following transactions and shall be filed with HUD at the times specified herein:

(1) Projects to be financed with mortgages insured under the National Housing Act (FHA)—With an Application for a Site Appraisal and Market Analysis Letter, Feasibility Letter, Conditional Commitment for Mortgage Insurance, or Firm Commitment for Mortgage Insurance, whichever Application is first filed;

(2) Projects to be financed pursuant to section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (Elderly and Handicapped)—With the Application for a Fund Reservation;

(3) Projects in which 20% or more of the units are to receive a subsidy as described under § 200.213(c)—With the first request for a reservation of funds for assistance payments;

(4) Purchase of a project subject to a mortgage insured or held by the Secretary—With the Application for Transfer of Physical Assets;

(5) Purchase of a Secretary-owned project—With the Bid to Purchase;

(6) Proposed substitution or addition of a principal, such as management agents or partners or proposed participation in a different capacity from that previously approved for the same project—Prior to the date that the proposed action or transfer is to become final; and

(7) Proposed acquisition by existing limited partner or stockholder of additional interest resulting in a total interest of at least 25 percent or 10 percent, respectively—Prior to the proposed acquisition.

(b) Certificates are not required for interests acquired by inheritance or by Court decree.

All principals must certify and sign the certificate personally as to their individual record and are responsible for its timely filing with the HUD Area Office in whose jurisdiction the project or proposal is located except:

(a) When a corporation is a principal all its officers, directors and principal stockholders need not individually sign, certify nor file the certificate when they all have the same record. When their previous participation records are the same the officer authorized to sign for the corporation will list on the certificate the full names for all such principals connected with the corporation who do not elect to sign. Those principals who have a separate participation record outside that of their corporation must certify, sign and file. The objective is full disclosure.

(b) The Participation Control Officer is authorized to waive the requirement for signatures for good cause in cases where he finds that adequate provision has been made for full disclosure, and the signature is thereafter provided.

(a) Each principal who executes the certificate certifies that:

(1) The certificate contains a listing of every assisted or insured project of HUD, Farmers Home Administration and State or local government housing finance agencies in which the principal has been or is now a principal;

(2) For a period beginning 10 years prior to the date of the certificate under review and except as shown on the certificate:

(i) No mortgage on a project listed has ever been in default nor has mortgage relief been given;

(ii) There have been no defaults or noncompliances under any conventional construction contract or Turnkey contract of sale in connection with a public housing project;

(iii) There are no known unresolved findings raised as a result of HUD audits, management reviews or other governmental investigations;

(iv) There has been no suspension or termination of payments under any HUD assistance contract attributable to the fault or negligence of principal;

(v) The principal has not been convicted of a felony (See definitions § 200.215(b)) and is not presently the subject of a complaint or indictment charging a felony;

(vi) The principal has not been suspended, debarred, or otherwise restricted by any Department or Agency of the Federal Government or of a State Government from doing business with such Department or Agency;

(vii) The principal has not defaulted on an obligation covered by a surety or performance bond, and has not been the subject of a Claim under an employee fidelity bond;

(3) The principal has listed all parties who are known to him to be principals under § 200.215(e)(2);

(4) The principal is not a HUD employee or a member of an employee's immediate household as defined by HUD's Standards of Conduct in 24 CFR 0.735-205(c);

(5) Except as shown on the certificate under review, the principal is not a participant: (i) In a HUD assisted or insured project on which construction, as of the date of said certificate, has stopped for a period in excess of twenty days or; (ii) in an insured project on which construction, as of the date of said certificate, has been substantially completed for more than 90 days and documents for closing, including cost certification, have not been filed with HUD;

(b) The project owner shall certify that he has also listed all other parties who are principals under § 200.215(e)(1).

(c) If a principal cannot certify as to any items under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, such items may be deleted from the face of the certificate and a full explanation of the reason for the deletion, signed by the principal, may be attached to the certificate for HUD's review, evaluation and determination.

(d) Each principal who executes the certificate must also certify that said principal is not a Member of Congress or a Resident Commissioner.

A principal may avoid repetitious listings by providing HUD with a complete master list, acceptable to the Participation Control Officer, of all projects in which the principal has participated. Where such a list has been provided, the principal may submit a certificate which refers to the master list and which supplements it by the addition of all information required under § 200.219 with respect to occurrences since the date of the master list (including subsequent occurrences with respect to the projects on the master list as well as subsequent projects). Partners, corporate officers, directors and stockholders may likewise refer to and thereby incorporate their firm's master list when they certify.

The membership and authority of the Multifamily Participation Review Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Review Committee) are set forth in § 200.227. A majority of the members of the Review Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Secretary of the Review Committee shall be the Participation Control Officer under this part and shall serve under the administrative supervision of the Director of the Participation and Compliance Division, who acts as Participation Control Officer in his absence.

The Area Manager of the HUD Area Office where the certificate is filed is authorized to review the certificate and approve for participation limited partner principals: Provided, That they have no previous record of participation or their only participation in previous projects covered by these regulations has been as a limited partner. All other certificates must be forwarded to the Participation Control Officer.

(a) The Participation Control Officer is authorized to:

(1) Approve a principal when a review of the previous participation certificate and other available information reveals that there are no grounds to withhold approval or disapprove under the standards in § 200.229 or § 200.230, respectively;

(2) Disapprove a principal who; (i) is suspended or debarred or otherwise restricted under 24 CFR part 24; or (ii) has been disapproved for participation no more than 12 months prior to the filing of the certificate under review, unless the principal has requested reconsideration of the disapproval;

(3) Refer all other cases to the Review Committee, together with all available information and documents and a recommendation of the action to be taken.

(a) Members. (1) The Director, Office of Lender Activities and Land Sales Registration serves as Chairman and does not vote. The Committee is composed of the following voting members or their designees representing the Assistant Secretary for Housing- Federal Housing Commissioner: the Director of the Office of Insured Multifamily Housing Development; the Director of the Office of the Elderly and Assisted Housing; the Director of the Office of Multifamily Housing Management; the Director of the Office of Multifamily Preservation and Property Disposition; the Director of the Previous Participation and Compliance Division; and a designee of the Director of the Office of Lender Activities and Land Sales Registration.

(2) The Committee also includes, as non-voting members, the General Counsel or his or her designee, who provides legal counsel, and the Participation Control Officer in the Office of Lender Activities and Land Sales Registration. The Participation Control Officer is the Executive Secretary to the Committee and is empowered to issue and sign all notices, orders, letters and directives on behalf of the committee, to keep minutes, and to perform other duties assigned by the Chairman or directed by the Committee.

(b) Functions. The Committee will act for the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner and for the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing to determine the acceptability of participants in multifamily proposals under subpart H of this part.

(a) The Review Committee shall make one of the following determinations in connection with every case referred to it by the Participation Control Officer:

(1) Approve the principal after consideration of the entire record in the light of the standards in § 200.230. All mitigating or extenuating factors will be considered. In each case, the decision shall be within the discretion of the Review Committee and rendered in the best interest of the Government and the public;

(2) Conditionally approve the principal's participation with such conditions or limitations which in the Review Committee's judgment are necessary to make the principal approvable;

(3) Withhold approval of the principal in accordance with § 200.229; or

(4) Disapprove the principal when approval is not justified and withholding approval is not appropriate.

(b) All determinations by the Review Committee shall be made by majority vote of those members present and entitled to vote.

Approval of a principal may be withheld for:

(a) A period not to exceed 120 days when such action is deemed necessary to secure additional information upon which to base a final action including a determination as to whether a suspension or debarment action will be taken; or

(b) For a longer period pending the resolution of a criminal complaint or indictment.

The standards for disapproval shall be as follows:

(a) Suspension, debarment or other restriction of the principal under part 24 of this title;

(b) Suspension, debarment or other restriction of the principal by any other Department or Agency of the Federal Government from doing business with such Department or Agency;

(c) Unless the Review Committee finds mitigating or extenuating circumstances that enable it to make a risk determination for approval, any of the following occurrences attributable or legally imputable to a principal may be the basis for disapproval, whether or not the principal was actively involved in the project:

(1) Mortgage defaults, assignments or foreclosures, unless the Review Committee determines that the default, assignment or foreclosure was caused by circumstances beyond the principal's control;

(2) Defaults or noncompliance under any conventional construction contract or turnkey contract of sale in connection with a public housing project;

(3) Violation of the regulatory agreement or noncompliance with any other obligation to HUD that has not been corrected to the satisfaction of the Review Committee at the time of its consideration;

(4) Suspension or termination of payments under any HUD assistance contract;

(5) Defaults under an obligation covered by a surety or performance bond and/or claims under an employee fidelity bond;

(6) Unresolved findings as a result of HUD or other governmental audits or investigations; or

(7) A criminal record or other evidence that the principal's previous conduct or method of doing business has been such that his participation in the project would make it an unacceptable risk from the underwriting standpoint of an insurer, lender or governmental agency;

(d) With respect to any HUD insured or assisted projects, work stoppage for a period in excess of 20 days, or in the case of an insured project, failure to achieve final endorsement of the mortgage where the project has been substantially completed for more than 90 days but documents for closing, including cost certification have not been filed with HUD and such is chargeable to the fault or neglect of the principal;

(e) Any serious and significant violation by a management agent of a project management contract, where the contract required HUD or other Governmental agency approval at its inception;

(f) Submission of a false or materially incomplete form 2530 certification application.

(g) Any other significant violation of or noncompliance with regulations, or programs or contract requirements of HUD, Farmers Home Administration or a State or local government's Housing Finance Agency in connection with any insured or assisted project.

Approval is required as a precondition for participation and constitutes clearance of the principal under this part for participation only for a specific project in a specific role. Approval of a principal does not obligate the Department to approve the principal's applications or contracts for program participation.

Approvals will not be modified or withdrawn except in cases where the principal is subsequently suspended or debarred from further participation in any HUD programs under part 24 of this title, or is found by the Review Committee to have obtained approval based upon submission of a false, fraudulent or incomplete report or certificate submitted to HUD. In such cases the Review Committee may take such action, including modification or withdrawal of approval, as it determines to be in the best interest of the Department and the public. For the purpose of this section, the term approval includes conditional approval.

The Participation Control Officer shall give written notice to the principal and to the field office concerned of disapproval under § 200.226, and conditional approval, withholding of approval or disapproval by the Review Committee under § 200.228. In the case of any such adverse notice:

(a) The notice shall contain a general statement of the reasons for the determination; and

(b) The notice to the principal shall be sent by certified mail to the address shown on the certificate with a return receipt requested.

(a) Where approval has been withheld, denied, or conditionally granted, the principal may request reconsideration by the Review Committee. Such request shall be made in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the notice of such action, addressed to the Review Committee. It may contain such supporting material as principal desires; or

(b) The principal may file a request for a hearing before a Hearing Officer as provided in § 200.243. Such request for a hearing shall be made in writing within 30 days from the date of receipt of the determination.

(a) A principal who has been disapproved, conditionally approved, or who has had approval withheld by the Review Committee, either initially or after reconsideration, or who is disapproved by the Participation Control Officer, may request a hearing before a Hearing Officer. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of 24 CFR part 26, subpart A, except as modified by this section. Requests for hearing must be made within 30 days from the date of receipt of notice of the adverse determination.

(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, a principal may request an oral hearing before a hearing officer.

(2) Where a disapproval is based solely on a suspension or debarment that has been previously adjudicated, the hearing shall be limited to the opportunity to submit documentary evidence and written briefs for consideration by a hearing officer.

(3) Where a disapproval is based on a suspension and an appeal is pending, the hearing shall be stayed pending the outcome of the suspension, unless the parties and the hearing officer agree that the matter should be consolidated with the suspension for hearing.

(b) Hearings and review of determination by the Hearing Officer shall be governed by the procedures contained in part 24 of this title except as modified in paragraph (a) of this section and by § 200.245.

The Hearing Officer will determine the facts and the law relevant to the issues and will report the determination in writing to the Review Committee and to the principal. The Review Committee shall be bound by the Hearing Officer's findings of facts and law and will make a final decision based upon its application of the uniform underwriting and risk evaluation standards contained in this part. It will notify principal of the final action taken.

The three underwriting procedures for single family mortgages are:

(a) Direct Endorsement. This procedure, which is described in § 203.5, is available for mortgagees that are eligible under § 203.3.

(b) Lender insurance. This procedure, which is described in § 203.6, is available for mortgagees that are eligible for the Direct Endorsement program under § 203.5, and that are also approved according to § 203.4.

(c) Issuing of commitments through HUD offices. Processing through HUD offices as described in § 203.7, with issuance of commitments, is available only for mortgages that are not eligible for Direct Endorsement processing under § 203.5(b) or to the extent required in § 203.3(b)(4), § 203.3(d)(1), or as determined by the Secretary.

(a) Direct Endorsement approval. To be approved for the Direct Endorsement program set forth in § 203.5, a mortgagee must be an approved mortgagee meeting the requirements of §§ 202.13, 202.14 or 202.17 and this section.

(b) Special requirements. The mortgagee must establish that it meets the following qualifications.

(1) The mortgagee has five years of experience in the origination of single family mortgages. The Secretary will approve a mortgagee with less than five years experience in the origination of single family mortgages if a principal officer has had a minimum of five years of managerial experience in the origination of single family mortgages.

(2) The mortgagee has on its permanent staff an underwriter that is authorized by the mortgagee to bind the mortgagee on matters involving the origination of mortgages through the Direct Endorsement procedure and that is registered with the Secretary and such registration is maintained with the Secretary. The technical staff may be employees of the mortgagee or may be hired on a fee basis from a roster maintained by the Secretary. The mortgagee shall use appraisers permitted by § 203.5(e).

(3) [Reserved]

(4) The mortgagee must submit initially 15 mortgages processed in accordance with §§ 203.5 and 203.255. Separate approval is required to originate mortgages under part 206 of this chapter through the Direct Endorsement program unless at least 50 mortgages closed by the mortgagee have been insured under part 206 of this chapter prior to September 15, 1995. Other mortgagees who have not closed at least 50 mortgages under part 206 of this chapter must submit five (5) Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, processed in accordance with §§ 203.3 and 203.255. The documents required by § 203.255 will be reviewed by the Secretary and, if acceptable, commitments will be issued prior to endorsement of the mortgages for insurance. If the underwriting and processing of these 15 mortgages (or the 5 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages) is satisfactory, then the mortgagee may be approved to close subsequent mortgages and submit them directly for endorsement for insurance in accordance with the process set forth in § 203.255. Unsatisfactory performance by the mortgagee at this stage constitutes grounds for denial of participation in the program, or for continued pre-endorsement review of a mortgagee's submissions. If participation in the program is denied, such denial is effective immediately and may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. Unsatisfactory performance solely with respect to mortgages under 24 CFR part 206 may, at the option of the Secretary, be grounds for denial of participation or for continued pre-endorsement review for 24 CFR part 206 mortgages without affecting the mortgagee's processing of mortgages under other parts.

(5) The mortgagee shall promptly notify those HUD offices which have granted approval under this section of any changes that affect qualifications under this section.

(c) [Reserved]

(d) Mortgagee sanctions. Depending upon the nature and extent of the noncompliance with the requirements applicable to the Direct Endorsement process, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may take any of the following actions:

(1) Probation. The Secretary may place a mortgagee on Direct Endorsement probation for a specified period of time for the purpose of evaluating the mortgagee's compliance with the requirements of the Direct Endorsement procedure. Such probation is distinct from probation imposed by the Mortgagee Review Board under part 25 of this chapter. During the probation period specified by this section, the mortgagee may continue to process Direct Endorsement mortgages, subject to conditions required by the Secretary. The Secretary may require the mortgagee to:

(i) Process mortgages in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of this section;

(ii) Submit to additional training;

(iii) Make changes in the quality control plan required by § 202.5(h) of this chapter; and

(iv) Take other actions, which may include, but are not limited to, periodic reporting to the Secretary, and submission to the Secretary of internal audits.

(2) Termination of Direct Endorsement approval.

(i) A mortgagee's approval to participate in the Direct Endorsement program may be terminated in a particular jurisdiction by the local HUD office or on a nationwide basis by HUD Central Office. The HUD office instituting the termination action shall provide the mortgagee with written notice of the grounds for the action and of the right to an informal hearing before the office initiating the termination action. Such hearing shall be expeditiously arranged, and the mortgagee may be represented by counsel. Any termination instituted under this section is distinct from withdrawal of mortgagee approval by the Mortgagee Review Board under part 25 of this title.

(ii) After consideration of the materials presented, the decision maker shall advise the mortgagee in writing whether the termination is rescinded, modified or affirmed.

(iii) The mortgagee may appeal such decision to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing or his or her designee. A decision by the Deputy Assistant Secretary or designee shall constitute final agency action.

(iv) Termination of an origination approval agreement under part 202 of this chapter for a mortgagee or one or more branch offices automatically terminates Direct Endorsement approval for the mortgagee or the branch office or offices without any further requirement to comply with this paragraph.

Each mortgagee that chooses to participate in the Lender Insurance program must use the Lender Insurance process to insure all of the mortgages that it underwrites, unless the mortgages are ineligible for the Direct Endorsement program as provided in § 203.5(b), or unless HUD determines that the mortgages are ineligible for the Lender Insurance program.

(a) Direct Endorsement approval. To be approved for the Lender Insurance program described in § 203.6, a mortgagee must be unconditionally approved for the Direct Endorsement program as provided in § 203.5.

(b) Performance: Claim and default rates. In addition to being unconditionally approved for the Direct Endorsement program, a mortgagee must have had an acceptable claim and default record for at least 2 years prior to its application for participation in the Lender Insurance program. HUD determines acceptable claim and default record as follows:

(1) A mortgagee is eligible for the Lender Insurance program if its claim and default rate is at or below 150 percent of the national average rate for all insured mortgages.

(2) A mortgagee that operates in a single State (Single State mortgagee) may choose to have its claim and default rate compared with the average rate in the State in which it operates, in which case the Single State mortgagee is eligible for the Lender Insurance program if its claim and default rate is at or below 150 percent of the State average rate for insured mortgages.

(c) Annual review. HUD will monitor a mortgagee's eligibility to participate in the Lender Insurance program on a yearly basis.

(d) Termination of approval. If a mortgagee that has been approved by HUD for the Lender Insurance program violates the requirements and procedures established by the Secretary for such program, or if HUD determines that other good cause exists (including, but not limited to, HUD's determination that the mortgagee is not using prudent review techniques), HUD may immediately terminate the mortgagee's approval to participate in the Lender Insurance program, in accordance with section 256(d) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-21(d)). Within 30 days after receiving HUD's notice of termination, a mortgagee may request an informal conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing. The conference will be conducted within 30 days after HUD receives a timely request for the conference. After the conference, the Deputy Assistant Secretary may decide to affirm the termination action or to reinstate the mortgagee's Lender Insurance program approval. The decision will be communicated to the mortgagee in writing and will be deemed a final agency action. Termination of an origination approval agreement under part 202 of this chapter or termination of Direct Endorsement approval under § 203.3(d)(2) for a mortgagee or one or more branch offices automatically terminates Lender Insurance approval for the mortgagee or the branch office or offices without any further requirement to comply with this paragraph.

Under the Lender Insurance program, a mortgagee approved for the program conducts its own pre-insurance review, insures the mortgage, and agrees to indemnify HUD in accordance with § 203.255(f).

For single family mortgage programs that are not eligible for Direct Endorsement processing under § 203.5, or for Lender Insurance processing under § 203.6, the mortgagee must submit an application for mortgage insurance in a form prescribed by the Secretary prior to making the mortgage loan. If:

(a) A mortgage for a specified property has been accepted for insurance through issuance of a conditional commitment by the Secretary or a certificate of reasonable value by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and

(b) A specified mortgagor and all other proposed terms and conditions of the mortgage meet the eligibility requirements for insurance as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary shall approve the application for insurance by issuing a firm commitment setting forth the terms and conditions of insurance.

Each mortgagee with respect to a mortgage under this part shall at or before closing with respect to any such mortgage, provide the mortgagor with written notice in a form prescribed by the Commissioner describing any requirements the mortgagor must fulfill upon prepayment of the principal amount of the mortgage to prevent the accrual of any interest on the principal amount after the date of such prepayment. This paragraph shall apply to any mortgage executed after August 22, 1991.

(a) Mortgagee to provide disclosure notice. A mortgagee must provide a prospective FHA mortgagor with an informed consumer choice disclosure notice if, in the mortgagees's judgment, the prospective FHA mortgagor may qualify for similar conventional mortgage products offered by the mortgagee. The mortgagee should base this judgment on the mortgagee's initial assessment of the prospective FHA mortgagor's eligibility for a conventional mortgage product. If a mortgagee is unsure about a prospective FHA mortgagor's eligibility for a conventional mortgage product, the mortgagee should provide the prospective FHA mortgagor with an informed consumer choice disclosure notice.

(b) Informed consumer choice disclosure notice—(1) Contents of notice. The informed consumer choice disclosure notice must:

(i) Provide a one page generic analysis comparing the mortgage costs of an FHA-insured mortgage with the mortgage costs of similar conventional mortgage products offered by the mortgagee that the prospective FHA mortgagor may qualify for;

(ii) Provide information about when the requirement to pay FHA mortgage insurance premiums terminates; and

(iii) Meet the requirements of section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)).

(2) Format of disclosure notice. The informed consumer choice disclosure notice must be provided in a format prescribed by the Commissioner. HUD has prepared a model informed consumer choice disclosure notice that represents this format and that meets the requirements of section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)). The model informed consumer choice disclosure notice contains the minimum elements of an informed consumer choice disclosure notice. These elements must be included in a mortgagee's informed consumer choice disclosure notice. A mortgagee, however, may include additional elements in an informed consumer choice disclosure notice to better reflect the mortgagee's products or to provide information that the mortgagee believes is meaningful and helpful to the mortgagee's customers.

(3) Availability of model disclosure notice. HUD's model informed consumer choice disclosure notice is made available to FHA-approved mortgagees through Mortgagee Letter and is available to the public through the internet at HUD's web site at http://www.hud.gov or by contacting: Home Mortgage Insurance Division, Office of Insured Single Family Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410-8000; telephone (202) 708-2700 (this is not a toll-free number), or the nearest HUD Homeownership Center (Atlanta, GA (888) 696-4687; Denver, CO (800) 543-9378; Philadelphia, PA (800) 440-8647; or Santa Ana, CA (888) 827-5605). Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access these numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

(c) Timing. When required under paragraph (a) of this section, a mortgagee must provide an informed consumer choice disclosure notice to a prospective FHA mortgagor not later than three business days after the mortgagee receives the prospective FHA mortgagor's application.

(d) Revision of notice. A mortgagee should revise its informed consumer choice disclosure notice periodically to reflect prevailing market conditions. To ensure that the informed consumer choice disclosure notice reflects prevailing market conditions, a mortgagee must revise its informed consumer choice disclosure notice at least once annually.

(e) Applicability. This section applies to any application for mortgage insurance authorized under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709) that the mortgagee receives on or after September 2, 1999.

(f) Definitions. As used in this section:

Application means the submission of financial information in anticipation of a credit decision.

Conventional mortgage means conventional mortgage as used in section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) or section 302(b)(2) of the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), as applicable.

Mortgagee means mortgagee as defined in § 202.2 of this chapter.

Prospective FHA mortgagor means a person who submits an application to a mortgagee to obtain mortgage insurance authorized under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709).

(a) Applicability. This section applies to an application for insurance of a mortgage on a one-to four-family dwelling, unless the mortgage will be secured by a dwelling that:

(1) Was completed more than one year before the date of the application for insurance or, under the Direct Endorsement Program, was completed more than one year before the date of the appraisal; or

(2) Is being sold to a second or subsequent purchaser.

(b) Procedures. (1) Applications for insurance to which this section applies will be processed in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary. These procedures may only provide for endorsement for insurance of a mortgage covering a dwelling that is:

(i) Approved under the Direct Endorsement Program or the Lender Insurance Program; or

(ii) Located in a subdivision approved by the Rural Housing Service.

(2) The mortgagee must submit a signed Builder's Certification of Plans, Specifications and Site (Builder's Certification). The Builder's Certification must be in a form prescribed by the Secretary and must cover:

(i) Flood hazards;

(ii) Noise;

(iii) Explosive and flammable materials storage hazards;

(iv) Runway clear zones/clear zones;

(v) Toxic waste hazards;

(vi) Other foreseeable hazards or adverse conditions (i.e., rock formations, unstable soils or slopes, high ground water levels, inadequate surface drainage, springs, etc.) that may affect the health and safety of the occupants or the structural soundness of the improvements. The Builder's Certification must be provided to the appraiser for reference before the performance of an appraisal on the property.

(3) If a builder (or developer) intends to sell five or more properties in a subdivision, an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP) that meets the requirements of 24 CFR part 200, subpart M must be submitted and approved by HUD no later than the date of the first application for mortgage insurance in that subdivision. Thereafter, applications for insurance on other properties sold by the same builder (or developer) in the same subdivision may make reference to the existing previously approved AFHMP.

An application with respect to insurance of mortgages must be accompanied by an agreement satisfactory to the Commissioner, executed by the seller, builder or such other person as may be required by the Commissioner, whereby the person agrees that before any sale of the dwelling, the person will deliver to the purchaser of the property a written statement, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner, setting forth the amount of the appraised value of the property as determined by the Commissioner.

Every application filed with respect to insurance of mortgages on a two-, three-, or four-family dwelling, or a single-family dwelling which is one of a group of 5 or more single-family dwellings held by the same mortgagor, must be accompanied by a contract in form satisfactory to the Commissioner, signed by the proposed mortgagor covenanting and agreeing that so long as the proposed mortgage is insured by the Commissioner the mortgagor will not rent the housing or any part thereof covered by the mortgage for transient or hotel purposes, together with the mortgagor's certification under oath that the housing or any part thereof covered by the proposed mortgage will not be rented for transient or hotel purposes. For the purpose of this subchapter rental for transient or hotel purposes shall mean (a) rental for any period less than 30 days or (b) any rental if the occupants of the housing accommodations are provided customary hotel services such as room service for food and beverages, maid service, furnishing and laundering of linen, and bellboy service.

(a) If the mortgage is to cover property improvements (dwelling and related structures/equipment essential to the value of the property and subject to flood damage) that:

(1) Are located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a floodplain area having special flood hazards, or

(2) Are otherwise determined by the Commissioner to be subject to a flood hazard, and if flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available with respect to these property improvements, the mortgagor and mortgagee shall be obligated, by a special condition to be included in the mortgage commitment, to obtain and to maintain NFIP flood insurance coverage on the property improvements during such time as the mortgage is insured.

(b) No mortgage may be insured that covers property improvements located in an area that has been identified by FEMA as an area having special flood hazards, unless the community in which the area is situated is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and such insurance is obtained by the mortgagor. Such requirement for flood insurance shall be effective one year after the date of notification by FEMA to the chief executive officer of a flood prone community that such community has been identified as having special flood hazards.

(c) The flood insurance must be maintained during such time as the mortgage is insured in an amount at least equal to either the outstanding balance of the mortgage, less estimated land costs, or the maximum amount of the NFIP insurance available with respect to the property improvements, whichever is less.

(a) Mortgage form. (1) The term mortgage as used in this part, except § 203.43c, means a first lien as is commonly given to secure advances on, or the unpaid purchase price of, real estate under the laws of the jurisdiction where the property is located, and may refer both to a security instrument creating a lien, whether called a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or another term used in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the credit instrument, or note, secured thereby.

(2)(i) The mortgage shall be in a form meeting the requirements of the Commissioner. The Commissioner may prescribe complete mortgage instruments. For each case in which the Commissioner does not prescribe complete mortgage instruments, the Commissioner

(A) Shall require specific language in the mortgage which shall be uniform for every mortgage, and

(B) May also prescribe the language or substance of additional provisions for all mortgages as well as the language or substance of additional provisions for use only in particular jurisdictions or for particular programs.

(ii) Each mortgage shall also contian any provisions necessary to create a valid and enforceable secured debt under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the property is located.

(b) Mortgage multiples. A mortgage shall involve a principal obligation in a multiple of $1.

(c) Payments. The mortgage shall:

(1) Come due on the first of the month.

(2) Contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary and an amortization period not in excess of the term of the mortgage.

(3) Provide for payments to principal and interest to begin not later than the first day of the month following 60 days from the date the mortgage is executed (or the date a construction mortgage is converted to a permanent mortgage, if applicable).

(d) Maturity. The mortgage shall have a term of not more than 30 years from the date of the beginning of amortization.

(e) Property Standards. The mortgage must be a first lien upon the property that conforms with property standards prescribed by the Commissioner.

(f) Disbursement. The entire principal amount of the mortgage must have been disbursed to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors for his or her account and with his or her consent.

(a) Mortgagors of principal or secondary residences. The principal amount of the mortgage must not exceed the lesser of the following amounts that apply:

(1) The dollar amount limitation that applies for the area under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the National Housing Act including any increase in the dollar limitation under § 203.29, as announced in accordance with § 203.18(h);

(2)(i) The amount based on appraised value that is permitted by section 203(b)(10) of the National Housing Act, if that provision is in effect and applies to the mortgage; or

(ii) If section 203(b)(10) is not in effect or otherwise does not apply to the mortgage, the lesser of the amounts based on appraised value that are permitted by section 203(b)(2)(B) of the National Housing Act and paragraph (g) of this section;

(3) An amount equal to 90 percent of the appraised value, if the dwelling is a new home that was completed 1 year or less from the date of the mortgage insurance application and the dwelling is neither approved before the beginning of construction or covered by an acceptable consumer protection or warranty plan as provided in section 203(b)(2)(B) of the National Housing Act; or

(4) An amount equal to 85 percent of the appraised value if the mortgage covers a dwelling that is to be occupied as a secondary residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(2) of this section).

(b) Veteran qualifications. The special veteran terms provided in section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act shall apply only if the mortgagor submits one of the following certifications:

(1) A certification issued by the Secretary of Defense establishing that the veteran performed extra hazardous service while serving in the armed forces for a period of less than 90 days; or

(2) A Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs establishing that the person served 90 days or more on active duty in the armed forces (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, the Army Reserve, the Naval Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the National Guard of the United States, or the Air National Guard of the United States); that he or she enlisted before September 8, 1980; and that he or she was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable (a copy of the veteran's discharge papers or Form DD-214 shall be submitted with the certificate); or

(3) A Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs establishing that the person:

(i)(A) Originally enlisted in a regular component of the armed forces after September 7, 1980; or entered on active duty after October 16, 1981, and he or she had not previously completed a period of active duty of at least 24 months or been discharged or released from active duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171; and

(B) Has completed, since enlistment or entering on active duty, either:

(1) Twenty-four months of continuous active duty, or the full period for which he or she was called or ordered to active duty, whichever is shorter; or

(2) Any other period of active duty if he or she was discharged or released from duty under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173; was discharged or released from duty for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or has a disability which the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined to be compensable under 38 U.S.C. chap. 11; and

(ii) Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable (a copy of the veteran's discharge papers or Form DD-214 shall be submitted with the certification).

(c) Eligible non-occupant mortgagors. A mortgage may be executed by an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as that term is defined in paragraph (f)(3) of this section) for up to an amount authorized for the appropriate loan type in paragraph (a) of this section except where a lesser amount is expressly provided for in this part.

(d) Outlying area properties. A mortgage covering a single family residence located in an area in which the Commissioner finds that it is not practicable to obtain conformity with many of the requirements essential to the insurance of mortgages in built-up, urban areas; or a mortgage covering a single family dwelling that is to be used as a farm home on a plot of land that is two and one-half or more acres in size and adjacent to an all-weather public road, may not exceed:

(1) In the case of a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this section):

(i) 75 percent of the dollar limitation under (a)(1).

(ii) 97 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, if:

(A) The Commissioner approved the dwelling for insurance before the beginning of construction; or

(B) Construction was completed more than one year before the date of the application for insurance; or

(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs approved the dwelling for guaranty, insurance, or direct loan before the beginning of construction.

(iii) If the property does not meet the requirements of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, 90 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.

(2) In the case of a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a secondary residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(2) of this section):

(i) The amount permitted in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, or

(ii) 85 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.

(e) Disaster victims. A mortgage covering a single family dwelling, in an amount not in excess of the maximum dollar limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section (unless a higher maximum mortgage amount is authorized under § 203.29), and not in excess of the lesser of 100 percent of the appraised value of the property or the cost of acquisition as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, shall be eligible for insurance if:

(1) The mortgage is executed by a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this section);

(2) The mortgagor establishes that the home which he or she previously occupied as owner or tenant was destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is required as a result of a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, riot or civil disorder or other catastrophe which the President has determined to be a major disaster; and

(3) The application for insurance is filed within one year from the date of such presidential determination, or within such additional period of time as the period of federal assistance with respect to such disaster may be extended.

(f) Definitions. As used in this section:

(1) Principal residence means the dwelling where the mortgagor maintains (or will maintain) his or her permanent place of abode, and typically spends (or will spend) the majority of the calendar year. A person may have only one principal residence at any one time.

(2) Secondary residence means a dwelling: (i) Where the mortgagor maintains or will maintain a part-time place of abode and typically spends (or will spend) less than a majority of the calendar year; (ii) which is not a vacation home; and (iii) which the Commissioner has determined to be eligible for insurance in order to avoid undue hardship to the mortgagor. A person may have only one secondary residence at a time.

(3) Eligible non-occupant mortgagor means a mortgagor (or co-mortgagor, as appropriate) who is not to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or a secondary residence and who is—

(i) A public entity, as provided in section 214 or 247 of the National Housing Act, or any other State or local government or agency thereof;

(ii) A private nonprofit or public entity, as provided in section 221(h) or 235(j) of the National Housing Act, or other private nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and intends to sell or lease the mortgaged property to low or moderate income persons, as determined by the Secretary;

(iii) An Indian tribe, as provided in section 248 of the National Housing Act;

(iv) A serviceperson who is unable to meet the occupancy requirement because of his or her duty assignment, as provided in section 216 of the National Housing Act or subsection (b)(4) or (f) of section 222 of the National Housing Act;

(v) A mortgagor or co-mortgagor under subsection 203(k) of the National Housing Act; or

(vi) A mortgagor who, pursuant to § 203.43(c) of this part, is refinancing an existing mortgage insured under the National Housing Act for not more than the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage, if the amount of the monthly payment due under the refinancing mortgage is less than the amount due under the existing mortgage for the month in which the refinancing mortgage is executed.

(4) Appraised value means the sum of:

(i) The lesser of sales price (with any adjustments required by the Secretary) or the amount set forth in the written statement required under § 203.15; and

(ii) Borrower-paid closing costs allowed under § 203.27(a)(1)-(3), except that closing costs do not apply if section 203(b)(10) of the National Housing Act is in effect and neither sales price nor closing costs apply for purposes of paragraph (g) of this section.

(5) Undue hardship means that affordable housing which meets the needs of the mortgagor is not available for lease, or within reasonable commuting distance from the mortgagor's home to his or her work place.

(6) Vacation home means a dwelling that is used primarily for recreational purposes and enjoyment, and that is not a primary or secondary residence.

(g) Maximum principal obligation. Except for mortgages meeting the requirements of § 203.18(b), § 203.18(e) or § 203.50(f), and notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a mortgage may not involve a principal obligation in excess of 98.75 percent of the appraised value of the property (97.75 percent, in the case of a mortgage with an appraised value in excess of $50,000), plus the amount of the mortgage insurance premium paid at the time the mortgage is insured.

(h) Notice of maximum mortgage amount. A maximum mortgage amount based on the 1-family median house price for an area under paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be made effective by:

(1) Providing direct notice to affected mortgagees through an administrative issuance; or

(2) Publishing a notice in the Federal Register.

(i) Energy efficient mortgages. The principal amount of energy efficient mortgages may exceed the maximum amounts determined under paragraph (a)(1) of this section under conditions prescribed by the Secretary in accordance with section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

(a) The dollar limitation provided in § 203.18(a) may be increased by up to 20 percent if such an increase is necessary to account for the increased cost of the residence due to the installation of a solar energy system.

(b) Solar energy system is defined as any addition, alteration, or improvement to an existing or new structure which is designed to utilize wind energy or solar energy either of the active type based on mechanically forced energy transfer or of the passive type based on convective, conductive, or radiant energy transfer or some combination of these types to reduce the energy requirements of that structure from other energy sources and which is in conformity with such criteria and standards as shall be prescribed by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.

(a) If any party believes that a mortgage limit established by the Secretary under § 203.18(a)(1) does not accurately reflect the median house prices in an area, the party may submit documentation in support of an alternative mortgage limit. For purposes of this section, an area (1) must be at least the size of a county, whether or not the area is located within a metropolitan statistical area, as established by the Office of Management and Budget; and (2) may be an area for which the mortgage limits established under § 203.18(b)(1) apply.

(b)(1) The documentation referred to in paragraph (a) of this section must consist of sufficient housing sales price data for the entire geographic area for which the request is made to justify an alternative mortgage limit. The documentation should include a listing of actual sales prices in the area for all or nearly all new and existing 1-family homes and condominiums, over a period of time varies with sales volume, as follows:

(i) For 500 or more sales per month, a one-month reporting period;

(ii) For 250 through 499 sales per month, a two-month reporting period.

(iii) For less than 250 sales per month, a three-month reporting period.

(2) Requests for an increased mortgage limit based upon documentation of median house prices for the area should be sent to the appropriate HUD field office.

(c) In the case of an area where the Commissioner determines that the median one-family house price does not reasonably reflect the sales prices of newly constructed homes because of an existing stock whose value is static or declining, the Commissioner may give greater weight to the sales prices of new homes in determining median house price in such area. Without limiting the discretion of the Commissioner in fashioning appropriate methods of implementing the foregoing authority in particular circumstances based upon a demonstration of good cause satisfactory to the Commissioner, in areas where evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner indicates that existing home sales outnumber new home sales by three-to-one or better, the median sales price will be calculated as the greater of (1) the average of the median sales price for new and existing homes, and (2) the composite median price of all sales.

After determining any maximum insurable mortgage amount under the provisions of this subpart, the maximum insurable amount of any mortgage may be increased by the amount of any one-time or up-front mortgage insurance premium that will be financed as part of the mortgage.

A mortgagee may not require, as a condition of providing a loan secured by a mortgage insured under this part, that the principal amount of the mortgage exceed a minimum amount established by the mortgagee.

(a) At the time the mortgage is insured, the mortgagor shall have paid in cash or its equivalent the following minimum amount:

(1) In all cases (except those involving a veteran meeting the requirements of § 203.18(b) or a disaster victim meeting the requirements of § 203.18(e)), the minimum investment shall be at least 3 percent of the Commissioner's estimate of the cost of acquisition (excluding the amount of any one-time mortgage insurance premium payable in accordance with § 203.280) or such other larger amount as the Commissioner may determine.

(2) In a case involving a veteran meeting the requirements of § 203.18(a)(3) or a disaster victim meeting the requirements of § 203.18(e), the minimum investment shall be $200 which may include settlement costs, initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premiums, mortgage insurance premiums, and other prepaid expenses as approved by the Commissioner.

(b) A mortgagor who is 60 years of age or older, as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance, or whose mortgage meets the requirements of and is to be insured pursuant to § 203.18(d), or who is purchasing a single-family home under a low income housing demonstration project which is being assisted by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 207 of the Housing Act of 1961 or who is purchasing a housing unit in connection with a homeownership program under the Homeownership and Opportunity Through HOPE Act, may obtain a loan to meet the payment required by paragraph (a) of this section and to pay settlement costs. Such loan shall be from a corporation or person satisfactory to the Commissioner. The settlement costs paid with the loan may include initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premium, mortgage insurance premium, and other prepaid expenses, as determined by the Commissioner. As security for the loan, the mortgagor may give a note or other evidence of indebtedness bearing interest at a rate not in excess of that permitted in the insured mortgage. The aggregate amount of the insured mortgage and the loan referred to in this section shall not exceed an amount equal to the Commissioner's estimate of the appraised value of the property, plus an amount equal to the initial payments for taxes, hazard insurance premium, mortgage insurance premium, and other prepaid expenses, as determined by the Commissioner.

(a) The mortgage shall bear interest at the rate agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor.

(b) Interest shall be payable in monthly installments on the principal amount of the mortgage outstanding on the due date of each installment.

The mortgage must contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Commissioner, requiring monthly payments by the mortgagor not in excess of his reasonable ability to pay as determined by the Commissioner. The sum of the principal and interest payments in each month shall be substantially the same.

(a) Payment of periodic insurance premiums or charges. Except with respect to mortgages for which a one-time mortgage insurance premium is paid pursuant to § 203.280, the mortgage may provide for monthly payments by the mortgagor to the mortgagee of an amount equal to one-twelfth of the annual mortgage insurance premium payable by the mortgagee to the Commissioner. Such payments continue only so long as the contract of insurance shall remain in effect or for such shorter period as mortgage insurance premiums are payable by the mortgagee to the Commissioner.

(b) Prepayment privilege. The mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part on any installment due date, but shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment.

(a) The mortgage shall provide for such equal monthly payments by the mortgagor to the mortgagee as will amortize:

(1) The ground rents, if any;

(2) The estimated amount of all taxes;

(3) Special assessments, if any;

(4) Flood insurance premiums, if flood insurance is required by the Commissioner; and

(5) Fire and other hazard insurance premiums, if any. The mortgage shall further provide that such payments shall be held by the mortgagee in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner for the purpose of paying such ground rents, taxes, assessments, and insurance premiums before the same become delinquent, for the benefit and account of the mortgagor. The mortgage must also make provisions for adjustments in case the estimated amount of such taxes, assessments, and insurance premiums shall prove to be more, or less, than the actual amount thereof so paid by the mortgagor. Such payments shall be held in an escrow subject to § 203.550.

(b) The mortgagor shall not be required to pay premiums for fire or other hazard insurance which protects only the interests of the mortgagee, or for life or disability income insurance, or fees charged for obtaining information necessary for the payment of property taxes. The foregoing does not apply to charges made or penalties exacted by the taxing authority, except that a penalty assessed or interest charged by a taxing authority for failure to timely pay taxes or assessments shall not be charged by the mortgagee to the mortgagor if the mortgagee had sufficient funds in escrow for the account of the mortgagor to pay such taxes or assessments prior to the date on which penalty or interest charges are imposed.

(c) Mortgages involving a principal obligation not in excess of $9,000 may contain a provision requiring the mortgagor to pay to the mortgagee an annual service charge at such rate as may be agreed upon between the mortgagee and the mortgagor, but in no case shall such service charge exceed one-half of one percent per annum. Any such service charge shall be payable in monthly installments on the principal then outstanding. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to mortgages endorsed for insurance pursuant to applications received by the Commissioner on or after July 17, 1961.

(a) All monthly payments to be made by the mortgagor to the mortgagee shall be added together and the aggregate amount thereof shall be paid by the mortgagor each month in a single payment. The mortgagee shall apply the same to the following items in the order set forth:

(1) Premium charges under the contract of insurance (other than a one-time or up-front mortgage insurance premium paid in accordance with §§ 203.280, 203.284 and 203.285), charges for ground rents, taxes, special assessments, flood insurance premiums, if required, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums;

(2) Interest on the mortgage;

(3) Amortization of the principal of the mortgage; and

(4) Late charges, if permitted under the terms of the mortgage and subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may prescribe.

(b) Any deficiency in the amount of any such aggregate monthly payment shall, unless made good by the mortgagor prior to, or on, the due date of the next such payment, constitute an event of default under the mortgage.

The mortgage may provide for the collection by the mortgagee of a late charge, not to exceed four per cent of the amount of each payment more than 15 days in arrears, to cover servicing and other costs attributable to the receipt of payments from mortgagors after the date upon which payment is due.

(a) The mortgagor must pay to the mortgagee, upon execution of the mortgage, a sum that will be sufficient to pay the ground rents, if any, the estimated taxes, special assessments, flood insurance premiums, if required, and fire and other hazard insurance premiums for the period beginning on the last date on which each such charge would have been paid under the normal lending practices of the lender and local custom (if each such date constitutes prudent lending practice), and ending on the due date of the first full installment payment under the mortgage, plus an amount sufficient to pay the mortgage insurance premium from the date of closing the loan to the date of the first monthly payment under the mortgage or, where applicable, the one-time mortgage insurance premium payable pursuant to § 203.280.

(b) The mortgagee may also collect from the mortgagor a sum not exceeding one-sixth of the estimated total amount of such taxes, special assessments, insurance premiums and other charges to be paid during the ensuing 12-month period.

(a) The mortgagee may collect from the mortgagor the following charges, fees or discounts:

(1) [Reserved]

(2) A charge to compensate the mortgagee for expenses incurred in originating and closing the loan, the charge not to exceed:

(i) $20 dollars or one percent of the original principal amount of the mortgage (excluding any one-time mortgage insurance premium paid pursuant to § 203.280), whichever is the greater; or

(ii) $350 dollars or two and one-half percent of the original principal amount of the mortgage (excluding any one-time mortgage insurance premium paid pursuant to § 203.280), whichever is the greater, with respect to mortgages on property under construction or to be constructed where the mortgagee makes partial disbursements and inspections of the property during the progress of construction.

(iii) If the mortgage involves repair or rehabilitation, and the mortgagee meets the conditions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section relating to disbursements and inspections, the charge prescribed in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section may be collected in connection with that portion of the mortgage applied to such repair or rehabilitation. The charge with respect to any part of the mortgage not applied to repair or rehabilitation, or any part of the mortgage so applied which does not meet the conditions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section relating to disbursements and inspections, shall be limited to that provided in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

(3) Reasonable and customary amounts, but not more than the amount actually paid by the mortgagee, for any of the following items:

(i) Recording fees and recording taxes or other charges incident to recordation;

(ii) Credit Report;

(iii) Survey, if required by mortgagee or mortgagor;

(iv) Title examination; title insurance, if any;

(v) Fees paid to an appraiser or inspector approved by the Commissioner for the appraisal and inspection, if required, of the property. Notwithstanding any limitations in this paragraph (a)(3) if the mortgagee is permitted by applicable regulations to use the services of staff appraisers and inspectors for processing mortgages, and does so, the mortgagee may collect from the mortgagor the reasonable and customary amounts for such appraisals and inspections.

(vi) Such other reasonable and customary charges as may be authorized by the Commissioner.

(4) Reasonable and customary charges in the nature of discounts.

(5) Interest from the date of closing or the date on which the mortgagee disburses the mortgage proceeds to the account of the mortgagor or the mortgagor's creditors, whichever is later, to the date of the beginning of amortization.

(b)-(c) [Reserved]

(d) Before the insurance of any mortgage, the mortgagee shall furnish to the Secretary a signed statement in a form satisfactory to the Secretary listing any charge, fee or discount collected by the mortgagee from the mortgagor. All charges, fees or discounts are subject to review by the Secretary both before and after endorsement under § 203.255.

(e) Nothing in this section will be construed as prohibiting the mortgagor from dealing through a broker who does not represent the mortgagee, if he prefers to do so, and paying such compensation as is satisfactory to the mortgagor in order to obtain mortgage financing.

The mortgage must be executed with respect to a project which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is economically sound, except that this section shall not apply in each of the following instances:

(a) To a mortgage of the character described in § 203.18(d) and with respect to such a mortgage, the Commissioner shall determine that the mortgage is an acceptable risk giving consideration to the need for providing adequate housing for families of low and moderate income, particularly in suburban and outlying areas or small communities.

(b) To a mortgage of the character described in § 203.18 (e).

(c) To a mortgage of the character described in § 203.43a.

(d) To a mortgage in a federally impacted area described in § 203.43e.

(e) To a rehabilitation loan of the character described in § 203.50.

(a) When is an increased mortgage limit permitted for these areas? For Alaska, Guam, Hawaii or the Virgin Islands, the Commissioner may increase the maximum mortgage amount permitted by section 203(b)(2)(A) of the National Housing Act when authorized by section 214 of that Act, through the procedures described in § 203.18(h).

(b) If a party believes that the otherwise applicable mortgage limit needs to be increased to reflect the extent to which high costs make it infeasible to construct dwellings without sacrificing sound standards of construction, design or livability, the party may submit documentation in support of an alternative mortgage limit. This documentation should include actual or estimated costs of such items as design, construction, materials, and labor. In addition, actual sales prices of new homes may be submitted, together with any other documentation requested by the Commissioner. Requests for alternative mortgage limits, together with supporting documentation should be sent to the appropriate HUD field office. The field office will forward the request and supporting material, with the field office's recommendation, to the Commissioner for determination.

(c) If the Alaska Housing Authority, or the Government of Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands or any agency or instrumentality of those entities, is the mortgagor or the mortgagee, or the mortgagor is regulated or restricted as to rents or sales, charges, capital structure, rate of return, and methods of operation to such an extent and in such manner as the Commissioner determines advisable to provide reasonable rental and sales prices and a reasonable return on the investment, any mortgage otherwise eligible for insurance under this subpart may be insured:

(1) In any case where the Alaska Housing Authority, or the government of Guam, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, or any agency or instrumentality of those entities, is the mortgagor, without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or a secondary residence (as these terms are defined in § 203.18(f)), or meet loan-to-value or comparable limitations based on the failure of the mortgagor to meet this occupancy requirement;

(2) Without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor has paid on account of the property a prescribed percentage of the appraised value of the property; or

(3) Without regard to any requirement that the mortgagor certify that the mortgaged property is free and clear of all liens other than the mortgage offered for insurance and that there will not be any unpaid obligations contracted in connection with the mortgage transaction or the purchase of the mortgaged property.

(d) The provisions of § 203.28 requiring economic soundness shall not be applicable to mortgages covering property located in Alaska, in Guam, in Hawaii, or in the Virgin Islands, but the Commissioner shall find that the property or project is an acceptable risk, giving consideration to the acute housing shortage in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, or the Virgin Islands.

The mortgagor shall certify to the Commissioner as to each of the following points:

(a) That neither he, nor anyone authorized to act for him, will refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bonafide offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny the dwelling or property covered by the mortgage to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status (except as provided by law), or handicap.

(b) That any restrictive covenant on such property relating to race, color, religion, or national origin is recognized as being illegal and void and is hereby specifically disclaimed.

(c) That civil action for preventative relief may be brought by the Attorney General in any appropriate U.S. District Court against any person responsible for a violation of this certification.

(d) That buildings having four (4) or more units, which were built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, were constructed in compliance with the Fair Housing Act new construction requirements in 24 CFR 100.205.

(a) A mortgage that is otherwise eligible for insurance under any of the provisions of this part may be insured without regard to any requirement contained in this part that the mortgagor occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)) at the time of insurance, or that the mortgagor meet loan-to-value or comparable limitations based on the failure of the mortgagor to meet an occupancy requirement, if:

(1) The Commissioner is satisfied that the inability of the mortgagor to meet the occupancy requirement is by reason of his or her entry into military service after the filing of an application for insurance; and

(2) The mortgagor expresses an intent (in such form as the Commissioner may prescribe), to meet the occupancy requirement upon his or her discharge from the service.

(b) A serviceperson will also be considered to meet the occupancy requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of this section for mortgage insurance purposes, if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The serviceperson and his or her family expect to meet the occupancy requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of this section for two or more years. The Commissioner may shorten this period to one year, if (i) the serviceperson's family will occupy the property for at least one year and (ii) the serviceperson is assigned to a combat zone or other hazardous duty area where the family cannot accompany him or her; and

(2) The property is located in an area in which the prospects of resale are reasonable.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a mortgagor must establish that, after the mortgage offered for insurance has been recorded, the mortgaged property will be free and clear of all liens other than such mortgage, and that there will not be outstanding any other unpaid obligations contracted in connection with the mortgage transaction or the purchase of the mortgaged property, except obligations that are secured by property or collateral owned by the mortgagor independently of the mortgaged property.

(b) With prior approval of the Secretary, the mortgaged property may be subject to a secondary mortgage or loan made or insured, or other secondary lien held, by a Federal, State, or local government agency or instrumentality, or an entity designated in the homeownership plan submitted by an applicant for an implementation grant under the Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere (HOPE) program, or an eligible nonprofit organization as defined in § 203.41(a)(5) of this part, provided that the required monthly payments under the insured mortgage and the secondary mortgage or lien shall not exceed the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay as determined by the Secretary.

(c) With the prior approval of the Secretary, the mortgaged property may be subject to a second mortgage held by a mortgagee not described in paragraph (b) of this section. Unless the mortgage is for the purpose described in paragraph (d) of this section, it shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The required monthly payments under the insured mortgage and the second mortgage shall not exceed the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay, as determined by the Commissioner;

(2) Periodic payments, if any, shall be collected monthly and be substantially the same;

(3) The sum of the principal amount of the insured mortgage and the second mortgage shall not exceed the loan-to-value limitation applicable to the insured mortgage, and shall not exceed the maximum mortgage limit for the area;

(4) The repayment terms shall not provide for a balloon payment before ten years, or for such other term as the Commissioner may approve, except that the mortgage may become due and payable on sale or refinancing of the secured property covered by the insured mortgage; and

(5) The mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part at any time, and shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment.

(d)(1) With the prior approval of the Commissioner, the mortgaged property may be subject to a junior (second or third) mortgage securing the repayment of funds advanced to reduce the mortgagor's monthly payments on the insured mortgage following the date it is insured, if the junior mortgage meets the following requirements:

(i) The junior mortgage shall not provide for any payment of principal or interest until the property securing the junior mortgage is sold or the insured mortgage is refinanced, at which time the junior mortgage shall become due and payable;

(ii) The total amount of repayments under the junior mortgage shall not exceed the least of:

(A) One-half of the mortgagor's equity interest in the property at the time of sale or refinancing;

(B) Three times the amount of funds advanced to effect the interest rate buy-down; or

(C) The sum of the original loan amount plus the total accrued interest on the junior mortgage at the time of repayment; and

(iii) The junior mortgage shall contain a provision permitting the mortgagor to prepay the mortgage in whole or in part at any time, and shall not provide for the payment of any charge on account of such prepayment. Any full or partial prepayment will not be recoverable by the mortgagor if, by application of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) on sale or refinancing of the property, a lesser amount than the amount prepaid would have been due.

(2) The sum of the principal amount of the insured mortgage, any second mortgage made under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, and the mortgage securing the repayment of funds advanced to reduce the borrower's monthly payments (whether a second or third mortgage) may exceed the loan-to-value limitation applicable to the insured mortgage, but such sum may not exceed the maximum mortgage limit for the area.

(a) Adequacy of mortgagor's gross income. A mortgagor must establish, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that his or her gross income is and will be adequate to meet (1) the periodic payments required by the mortgage submitted for insurance and (2) other long-term obligations.

(b) Determinations of adequacy of mortgagor income under this section shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, handicap, marital status, source of income of the mortgagor or location of the property.

A mortgagor must have a general credit standing satisfactory to the Commissioner.

To be eligible for mortgage insurance under this part, the mortgagor must meet the requirements for the disclosure and verification of Social Security and Employer Identification Numbers, as provided by part 200, subpart U, of this chapter.

A mortgage, to be eligible for insurance, must be on real estate held in fee simple, or on leasehold under a lease for not less than 99 years which is renewable, or under a lease having a period of not less than 10 years to run beyond the maturity date of the mortgage.

At the time a mortgage is insured there must be located on the mortgaged property one or more dwellings designed principally for residential use for not more than four families.

The buildings on the mortgaged property must conform with the standards prescribed by the Commissioner.

The mortgaged property shall be located within the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The mortgaged property, if otherwise acceptable to the Commissioner, may be located in any community where the housing standards meet the requirements of the Commissioner.

(a) Definitions. As used in this section:

(1) Low- or moderate-income housing means housing which is designed to be affordable, taking into account available financing, to individuals or families whose household income does not exceed 115 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families. The Secretary may approve a higher percentage up to 140 percent.

(2) Eligible governmental or nonprofit program means a program operated pursuant to a program established by Federal law, operated by a State or local government, or operated by an eligible nonprofit organization, if the program is designed to assist the purchase of low-or moderate-income housing including rental housing.

(3) Legal restrictions on conveyance means any provision in any legal instrument, law or regulation applicable to the mortgagor or the mortgaged property, including but not limited to a lease, deed, sales contract, declaration of covenants, declaration of condominium, option, right of first refusal, will, or trust agreement, that attempts to cause a conveyance (including a lease) made by the mortgagor to:

(i) Be void or voidable by a third party;

(ii) Be the basis of contractual liability of the mortgagor for breach of an agreement not to convey, including rights of first refusal, pre-emptive rights or options related to mortgagor efforts to convey;

(iii) Terminate or subject to termination all or a part of the interest held by the mortgagor in the mortgaged property if a conveyance is attempted;

(iv) Be subject to the consent of a third party;

(v) Be subject to limits on the amount of sales proceeds retainable by the seller; or

(vi) Be grounds for acceleration of the insured mortgage or increase in the interest rate.

(4) Tax-exempt bond financing means financing which is funded in whole or in part by the proceeds of qualified mortgage bonds described in section 143 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, or any successor section, on which the interest is exempt from Federal income tax. The term does not include financing by qualified veterans’ mortgage bonds as defined in section 143(b) of the Code.

(5) Eligible nonprofit organization means an organization of the type described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as an organization exempt under section 501(a) of the Code, which has:

(i) Two years experience as a provider of low- or moderate-income housing;

(ii) A voluntary board; and

(iii) No part of its net earnings inuring to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor or individual.

(b) Policy of free assumability with no restrictions. A mortgage shall not be eligible for insurance if the mortgaged property is subject to legal restrictions on conveyance, except as permitted by this part.

(c) Exception for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs. Legal restrictions on conveyance are acceptable if:

(1) The restrictions are part of an eligible governmental or nonprofit program and are permitted by paragraph (d) of this section; and

(2) The restrictions will automatically terminate if title to the mortgaged property is transferred by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, or if the mortgage is assigned to the Secretary.

(d) Exception for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs—specific policies. For purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, restrictions of the following types are permitted for eligible governmental or nonprofit programs, provided that a violation of legal restrictions on conveyance may not be grounds for acceleration of the insured mortgaged or for an increase in the interest rate, or for voiding a conveyance of the mortgagor's interest in the property, terminating the mortgagor's interest in the property, or subjecting the mortgagor to contractual liability other than requiring repayment (at a reasonable rate of interest) of assistance provided to make the property affordable as low- or moderate-income housing:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and the Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere (HOPE) programs, the mortgagor may be prohibited from selling the property at a price greater than the price permitted under the program, or the mortgagor may be required to pay a portion of the sales proceeds to a governmental body or an eligible nonprofit organization, as long as the mortgagor is not prohibited from recovering:

(i) The sum of the mortgagor's original purchase price, the mortgagor's reasonable costs of sale, the reasonable costs of improvements made by the mortgagor, and any negative amortization on a graduated payment mortgage insured under § 203.45 of this part; and

(ii) A reasonable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the appreciation in value which shall be the sales price reduced by the sum determined under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.

(2) Legal restrictions on conveyance may extend beyond the term of the mortgage, subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section and any limitations applicable in the jurisdiction.

(3) Except as otherwise required by the HOME and HOPE programs, rights under an option to purchase, pre-emptive rights to purchase or rights of first refusal shall only be held by a governmental body or eligible nonprofit organization, or another individual or organization approved by the Secretary, and shall be exercised by them (or an assignee who will purchase and occupy the property) only within a reasonable time after the event permitting exercise of the rights occurs, not to exceed a period of time determined by the Secretary. The Secretary may approve another individual or organization under the preceding sentence even if the restriction is not part of an eligible governmental or nonprofit program.

(4) In addition to the restrictions stated in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the purchase price under an option may not be less than the sum of the mortgagor's original purchase price, the mortgagor's reasonable costs of sale, the reasonable costs of improvements made by seller, and a reasonable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the appreciation in value.

(5) The mortgagor may be required to continue to be an owner-occupant.

(6) The mortgagor may be limited in his or her ability to choose a purchaser for the property, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that the property is preserved as low- or moderate-income housing.

(7) The mortgagor for a rehabilitation loan insured under § 203.50 of this part may hold title subject to a condition subsequent, provided that the holder of the right of entry for condition broken also executes the mortgage, and that the right is exercisable only for failure by the mortgagor to complete the rehabilitation or occupy the property as agreed by the mortgagor.

(8) Property may be subject to a legal restriction on conveyance to the extent approved in writing by an authorized representative of the Secretary prior to September 10, 1993.

(e) Exception for tax-exempt bond financing. A mortgage may be funded through tax-exempt bond financing and may include a due-on-sale provision in a form approved by the Secretary which permits the mortgagee to accelerate a mortgage that no longer meets Federal requirements for tax-exempt bond financing or for other reasons acceptable to the Secretary. Except as provided in this paragraph (e), a mortgage funded through tax-exempt bond financing shall comply with all form requirements prescribed under § 203.17(a) of this part and shall contain no other provisions designed to enforce compliance with Federal or State requirements for tax-exempt bond financing. Other legal restrictions on conveyance are permitted as provided in other paragraphs of this section.

(f) Exception for protective covenants excluding non-elderly. Mortgaged property may be subject to protective covenants which prohibit or restrict occupancy by, or transfer to, persons who are not elderly if:

(1) The restrictions do not have an undue effect on marketability; and

(2) The restrictions do not constitute illegal discrimination and are consistent with the Fair Housing Act and all other applicable nondiscrimination laws.

(g) Exceptions for specific jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, mortgages insured on certain Indian land or Hawaiian home lands under sections 247 and 248 of the National Housing Act and §§ 203.43h and 203.43i of this part, or on property in the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa, shall not be ineligible for insurance under this section solely because applicable law does not permit free alienability of title to all persons.

(a) A mortgage on property upon which there is a dwelling to be rented by the mortgagor shall not be eligible for insurance if the property is a part of, or adjacent or contiguous to, a project, or group of similar rental properties, in which the mortgagor has a financial interest in eight or more dwelling units.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply where:

(1) A mortgage qualifies as a rehabilitation loan under § 203.50 of this part;

(2) The mortgage is to be used for the rehabilitation of property located in a specific area or neighborhood that has been targeted by a State or local government for redevelopment, in accordance with a specific program that involves substantial public or private commitments in support of neighborhood improvement or redevelopment; and

(3) The State or local government has approved, and has submitted to the Commissioner a plan describing the program of neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization, including the geographic area targeted for redevelopment, and the nature and proportion of public or private commitments that have been made in support of the redevelopment program.

(c) No two-, three-, or four-family dwelling, and no single-family dwelling, if it is part of a group of five or more single-family dwellings held by the same mortgagor, or any part or unit thereof, shall be rented or offered for rent for transient or hotel purposes, as defined in § 203.16, so long as the dwelling is subject to any insured mortgage.

(a) A mortgage which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.

(b) The mortgage may be accepted for insurance if:

(1) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, of any housing acquired or constructed under Public Law 849, Seventy-sixth Congress, as amended; Public Law 781, Seventy-sixth Congress, as amended; or Public Law 9, 73 or 353, Seventy-seventh Congress, as amended (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection with such housing or to serve the inhabitants thereof); or

(2) Executed in connection with the sale by the Public Housing Administration, or by any public housing agency with the approval of the said Administration, or any housing (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection with such housing or to serve the inhabitants thereof) owned or financially assisted pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 671, Seventy-sixth Congress; or

(3) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, or any of the so-called Greenbelt towns, or parts thereof, including projects, or parts thereof, known as Greenhills, OH; Greenbelt, MD; and Greendale, WI, developed under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935; or of any of the village properties or employee's housing under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Valley Authority; or of any housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior located within the town area of Coulee Dam, WA, acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Grand Coulee Dam and its appurtenant works or of any permanent housing under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior constructed under the Boulder Canyon Project Act of December 21, 1928, as amended and supplemented, located within the Boulder City municipal area; or

(4) Executed in connection with the sale by the Government, or any agency or official thereof, of any housing (including any property acquired, held, or constructed in connection therewith or to serve the inhabitants thereof) pursuant to the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955, as amended: Provided, That such insurance shall be issued without regard to any preferences or priorities except those prescribed by the National Housing Act or the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955, as amended; or

(5) Executed in connection with the sale by a State or municipality, or an agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of either, of a project consisting of any permanent housing (including any property acquired, held or constructed in connection therewith or to serve the inhabitants thereof), constructed by or on behalf of such State, municipality, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision, for the occupancy of veterans (persons who have served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time on or after September 16, 1940, and prior to July 26, 1947, or on or after June 27, 1950, and prior to February 1, 1955) their families and others: Provided, That the principal obligation of a mortgage referred to in this paragraph shall not exceed 90 percent of the appraised value of the mortgaged property; or

(6) Executed in connection with the first resale, within two years from the date of its acquisition from the Government, of any portion of a project or property of the character described in paragraphs (b) (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section.

(c) The Commissioner may insure under this part, without regard to any limitation upon eligibility contained in the other provisions of this subpart, any mortgage given to refinance an existing mortgage insured under the National Housing Act. The refinancing mortgage must meet the following special requirements:

(1)(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the refinancing mortgage must be in an amount that does not exceed the least of (A) the original principal amount of the existing mortgage; (B) the sum of the outstanding principal balance of the existing mortgage, plus loan closing charges approved by the Commissioner; or (C) in the case of an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in § 203.18(f)), the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage.

(ii) In the case of graduated payment mortgages insured under section 203 of the Act pursuant to section 245 (a) or (b) of the Act (§ 203.45 or § 203.46 [as in effect immediately before its removal at 52 FR 32754, published August 28, 1987]), the refinancing mortgage must have a principal amount that does not exceed the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage.

(iii) If a one-time mortgage insurance premium (MIP) was financed as part of the existing mortgage referred to in paragraphs (c)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, the amount of the premium refund to which the mortgagor is entitled must be deducted in determining the original principal amount and the unpaid principal balance of the existing mortgage under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section and the outstanding balance of the existing mortgage under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. However, the maximum amount of the refinancing mortgage computed in accordance with this paragraph (c)(1) may be increased by the amount of the one-time MIP (if any) associated with the refinancing mortgage;

(2) It must have a term which does not exceed the unexpired term of the existing mortgage, except that in any case where the Commissioner determines that an extension of the term of the mortgage will inure to the benefit of the applicable insurance fund, taking into consideration the outstanding insurance liability under the existing insured mortgage, the term may be extended to the lesser of (i) 30 years or (ii) the unexpired term of the existing mortgage, plus 12 years;

(3) The mortgage must result in a reduction in regular monthly payments by the mortgagor, except:

(i) When a fixed rate mortgage is given to refinance an adjustable rate mortgage held by a mortgagor who is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or secondary residence, as these terms are defined in § 203.18(f); or

(ii) When refinancing a mortgage for a shorter term will result in an increase in the mortgagor's regular monthly payments of no more than $50. In the case of a graduated payment mortgage, the reduction in regular monthly payments means a reduction from the payment due under the existing mortgage for the month in which the refinancing mortgage is executed.

(4) It must be made by a mortgagor whose record of payment on the existing mortgage meets standards established by the Commissioner; and

(5) The mortgagee may not require a minimum principal amount to be outstanding on the loan secured by the existing mortgage.

(d)-(f) [Reserved]

(g) The provisions of § 203.28 shall not apply to mortgages insured under this section.

(h) The provisions of § 203.38 shall not apply to mortgages of the character described in paragraph (b) of this section and at the time any such mortgage is insured there must be located on the mortgaged property a dwelling unit designed principally for residential use for not more than eight families.

(i)-(j) [Reserved]

(k) The Commissioner may insure under this part, without regard to any limitation upon eligibility contained in this subpart, any mortgage assigned to the Commissioner in connection with payment under a contract of mortgage insurance, or executed in connection with a sale by the Commissioner of any property acquired in the settlement of an insurance claim under any section or title of the National Housing Act.

(a) A mortgage financing the repair, rehabilitation, construction, or purchase of property located in an older declining urban area shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.

(b) The mortgage shall meet all of the requirements of this subpart, except such requirements as are judged to be not applicable on the basis of the following determinations to be made by the Commissioner:

(1) That the conditions of the area in which the property is located prevent the application of certain eligibility requirements of this subpart.

(2) That the area is reasonably viable, and there is a need in the area for adequate housing for families of low and moderate income.

(3) That the mortgage to be insured is an acceptable risk.

(c) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 223(e) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.

(d) For restrictions against approving mortgage insurance for a certain category of newly legalized alien, see 24 CFR part 49.

A mortgage involving a dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.

(a) The provisions of §§ 203.16a, 203.17, 203.18, 203.18a, 203.23, 203.24, 203.26, 203.37, 203.38, 203.43h, 203.43i, 203.43j, 203.44, 203.49, and 203.50 of this part do not apply to mortgages insured under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.

(b) As used in connection with the insurance of mortgages under this section and § 203.437 of this part: (1) The term mortgage shall mean a first lien given to secure a loan made to finance the unpaid purchase price of a Corporate Certificate together with the applicable Occupancy Certificate of a cooperative ownership housing corporation in which the permanent occupancy of the dwelling units is restricted to members of such corporation, and may refer both to a security instrument creating a lien, whether called a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or another term used in a particular jurisdiction, as well as the credit instrument, or note, secured thereby.

(2) Corporation shall mean an organization which holds title to a cooperative housing development which is covered by a blanket mortgage or mortgages insured by FHA under the National Housing Act.

(3) Corporate Certificate shall mean such stock certificates, membership certificates, or other instruments which the laws of the jurisdictions in which the cooperative housing development is located require to evidence ownership of a specified interest in the corporation.

(4) Occupancy Certificate shall mean a written instrument provided by the corporation to each holder of a Corporate Certificate which grants an exclusive right of possession of a specific dwelling unit in the cooperative housing development.

(5) References in this subpart to a dwelling, residence or property which is sold, conveyed, covered by a mortgage or subject to a lien shall be construed to mean the Corporate Certificate together with the Occupancy Certificate, except that where such references when interpreted in light of section 203(n) of the National Housing Act clearly indicate the intent to be the dwelling unit, such reference shall mean the dwelling unit identified in the Occupancy Certificate.

(c) The organizational documents of the cooperative corporation must provide that: (1) Either the Secretary or a mortgagee under a mortgage insured under this section shall be a member of the cooperative corporation for so long as either owns a Corporate Certificate;

(2) A mortgage insured under this section shall be a first lien upon the property covered by the mortgage;

(3) The Secretary may exercise the voting rights which are attributable to each Corporate Certificate owned by the Secretary;

(4) The Secretary may designate as her proxy an agent for the purpose of exercising the voting rights of the Secretary which are attributable to the corporate Certificate or Certificates owned by the Secretary;

(5) The Secretary may cease making monthly payments attributable to any dwelling unit for which the Secretary owns a Corporate Certificate six months after the Secretary notifies the corporation to sell the Corporate Certificate or upon default by the corporation on the blanket mortgage covering the dwelling unit;

(6) The Secretary or a mortgagee shall not be obligated to make payments to the corporation for any amounts unpaid by a mortgagor under a mortgage insured under this section prior to the date the Secretary or the mortgagee becomes the owner of the Corporate Certificate.

(d) The corporation shall have entered into an agreement with the Secretary and the mortgagee which: (1) Requires that the corporation shall furnish the Secretary with the most recent annual financial report certified to have been based on generally accepted accounting principles and the most recent monthly or quarterly financial report;

(2) Waives any option or right of first refusal the corporation may have to purchase any Corporate Certificate covered by a mortgage insured under section 203(n) of the National Housing Act, unless the corporation pays the full amount due under such mortgage or pays the full amount of the Secretary's investment if the Secretary is the owner of the Corporate Certificate, whichever is greater.

(3) Except with the approval of the Secretary, waives all authority the corporation may have to approve or reject the buyer of a Corporate Certificate owned by the Secretary or the buyer of a Corporate Certificate covered by a mortgage insured under Section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.

(4) Requires the corporation on notice by the Secretary to act as her agent for a fee to be determined by the Secretary for the limited purposes of:

(i) Selling all Corporate Certificates of the corporation owned by the Secretary;

(ii) Renting and collecting rents on any dwelling unit for which the Secretary owns the Corporate Certificate.

(5) Provides that the Secretary shall not be obligated to make payments to the corporation for outstanding debts of the mortgagor;

(6) Requires the corporation to furnish to a mortgagee or to the Secretary, on request:

(i) A statement, certified by the officer charged with maintenance of the Corporate Certificate Transfer Book, that such book currently shows that the mortgagee or the Secretary is the owner of any Corporate Certificate transferred to the mortgagee or the Secretary; and

(ii) The Occupancy Certificate in the name of the mortgagee or the Secretary.

(7) Requires the corporation to notify the mortgagee, whose name and address has been provided, of any default in corporation fee payments by the mortgagor within 15 days of such default;

(8) Requires the mortgagee to notify the corporation of any default in mortgage payments by the mortgagor within 15 days of such default;

(9) Requires the corporation upon notice by the Secretary or the mortgagee, when the Secretary or the mortgagee is the owner of the Corporate Certificate, and for a fee to be determined by the Secretary to evict any person or persons from a dwelling unit identified in the Occupancy Certificate.

(10) Contains such other provisions as the Secretary may require.

(e) The mortgagee shall obtain such security and other undertakings as may be required to establish a first lien on the Corporate Certificate and the Occupancy Certificate under the laws of the State where the Cooperative Housing Development is located.

(f) The mortgage involves a one-family dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development which is covered by a blanket mortgage or mortgages insured under the National Housing Act.

(g) The mortgage shall not exceed the balance remaining after subtracting, from the amount determined under §§ 203.18(a), 203.18(g) and 203.18a of this part, an amount equal to the portion of the unpaid balance of the blanket mortgage covering the cooperative development which is attributable to the dwelling unit the mortgagor is entitled to occupy as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance.

(h) The mortgage shall be executed upon a form conforming to the applicable provisions of this part and shall:

(1) Involve a principal obligation in multiples of $50.

(2) Come due on the first of the month.

(3) Contain complete amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary and an amortization period not in excess of the term of the mortgage.

(4) Be for a term not to exceed 30 years or the remaining term of the blanket mortgage covering the cooperative development or three-quarters of the remaining economic life of the building improvements, whichever is less.

(5) Provide for payments to principal and interest to begin not later than the first day of the month following 60 days from the date the mortgagee's certificate on the commitment was executed.

(6) Contain a provision stating that the failure of the mortgagor to pay the mortgagor's share of the common expenses or assessments and charges imposed by the corporation as provided in the instruments establishing the cooperative shall be considered a default.

(i) The entire principal amount of the mortgage must have been disbursed to the mortgagor or to his creditors for his account and with his consent.

(j) The mortgage must be executed by a mortgagor who intends to be an occupant of the unit.

(k) The mortgagee shall collect from the mortgagor upon the execution of the mortgage: (1) A sum that will be sufficient to pay the mortgage insurance premium for the period beginning on the date of the closing of the loan and ending on the date of the first monthly payment under the mortgage or (2), where applicable, the one-time mortgage insurance premium payable pursuant to § 203.280.

(l) The mortgagee shall upon application for a mortgage insurance commitment provide true copies of the following organizational documents of the cooperative corporation for examination and approval by the appropriate HUD Field Office:

(1) Certificate of Incorporation;

(2) Regulatory Agreement;

(3) By-Laws as amended;

(4) The financial statements required in paragraph (d)(1) of this section;

(5) Proposed Occupancy Certificate;

(6) Proposed Corporate Certificate;

Notwithstanding any other requirements of this subpart, a mortgage covering a one- to four-family dwelling occupied by the mortgagor as a principal residence (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)) is eligible for insurance if the following requirements are met:

(a) The property is located in a community where the Secretary determines that:

(1) Temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, or Nation;

(2) Such ownership claims are reasonably likely to be settled, by court action or otherwise;

(3) As a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, owners of homes in the community occupied as principal residences (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)) have been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and have, thus, incurred substantial reductions in income that significantly impair their ability to continue timely payment of their mortgages;

(4) As a result, widespread mortgage foreclosures and distress sales of homes are likely in the community; and

(5) Fifty or more individuals were joined as parties defendant or were members of a defendant class prior to December 31, 1976 in litigation involving claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band or Nation.

(b) The mortgagor, as a direct result of the community's temporarily impaired economic condition, has been involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and has thus incurred a substantial reduction in income which significantly impairs the owners ability to continue timely payment of the mortgage.

(c) The mortgagee certifies that the security instrument has been recorded and is a good and valid first lien on the property except for the claims specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(d) The mortgagee agrees upon insurance of the mortgage to assign such mortgage to the Secretary within 30 days from the date of the issuance of the insurance certificate and if such assignment does not take place, the contract of insurance is terminated and becomes null and void.

(e) Any individual, organization, institution or governmental agency shall be considered a mortgagee for the purposes of this section.

(f) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 203(o) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.

(g) The mortgage was executed and filed for record on or before October 12, 1977.

(a) A mortgage executed in connection with the construction, repair, rehabilitation or purchase of property located near any installation of the Armed Forces of the United States in federally impacted areas shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to this part if the Secretary finds the following additional requirements are met;

(1) The benefits to be derived from such use outweigh the risk of probable cost to the Government; and

(2) The Secretary of Defense certifies that there is no intention to curtail substantially the personnel assigned or to be assigned to such installation.

(b) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 238(c) of the National Housing Act. Such mortgages shall be insured under and be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.

(a) A mortgage which meets the requirements of this subpart shall be eligible for insurance without regard to the limitation in this part relating to marketability of title under the following conditions:

(1) The mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)).

(2) The defect or potential defect in title is a direct and primary result of outstanding claims to ownership of land in the community by an American Indian tribe, band, group or Nation.

(3) Fifty or more individual owners were joined as parties defendant or were members of a defendant class before April 1, 1980 in litigation involving claims to ownership of land in the community in which the property is located by an American Indian tribe, band, group or Nation pursuant to a dispute involving the Articles of Confederation, the Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790 or any similar State or Federal law.

(4) Such ownership claims are reasonably likely to be settled by court action or otherwise.

(5) Temporary adverse economic conditions exist throughout the community as a direct and primary result of such claims.

(b) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section shall be the obligation of the Special Risk Insurance Fund.

A mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence located on Indian land shall be eligible for insurance pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13), notwithstanding otherwise applicable requirements related to marketability of title, if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section and is made by an Indian Tribe or on a leasehold estate, by an Indian who will occupy it as a principal residence. Mortgage insurance on cooperative shares is not authorized under this section.

(a) Exemptions. (1) The provisions of subparts I, J, and M of part 200, and § 203.30, shall not apply to approval of mortgagors for mortgages insured under this section if the Indian tribe to which the prospective mortgagor belongs is subject to the Indian Civil Rights Act.

(2) In the case of an Indian tribe which is not subject to the Indian Civil Rights Act, the authorities cited in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall apply, but any preference in the tribe's approval of the sale or assumption of a lease and mortgage under this section in favor of an eligible Indian over a non-Indian shall not be considered to be a violation of subpart I, J or M.

(b) Eviction procedures. Before HUD will insure a mortgage on Indian land, the tribe having jurisdiction over such property must certify to the HUD Field Office that it has adopted and will enforce procedures for eviction of defaulted mortgagors where the insured mortgage has been foreclosed.

(c) Approval of lease and mortgage. The lease must be on a form prescribed by HUD.

The mortgage must be on a form which meets the requirements of § 203.17(a)(2). Before HUD will insure any mortgage under this section, the mortgagee must demonstrate that the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, has approved both the lease and mortgage.

(d) Construction advances. The Commissioner may issue a commitment for the insurance of advances made during construction and a Direct Endorsement mortgagee may request insurance of a mortgage that will involve the insurance of advances made during construction. The Commissioner will insure advances made by the mortgagee during construction if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The mortgage shall be a first lien on the leasehold;

(2) The mortgagor and the mortgagee execute a building loan agreement, approved by the Commissioner, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made;

(3) The advances are made only as provided in the commitment or the approval by the Direct Endorsement underwriter;

(4) The principal amount of the mortgage is held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor, pending advancement to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors as provided in the loan agreement;

(5) The mortgage shall bear interest on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors and on the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor; and

(6) The Secretary had determined that no feasible financing alternative is available.

(e) Assumption or sale of leasehold. The form of lease must contain a provision requiring tribal consent before any assumption of an existing lease, except where title to the leasehold interest is obtained by the Secretary through foreclosure of the insured mortgage. A mortgagee other than the Secretary must obtain tribal consent before obtaining title through a foreclosure sale. Tribal consent must be obtained on any subsequent transfer from the purchaser, including the Secretary, at foreclosure sale. The lease may not be terminated by the lessor without HUD's approval while the mortgage is insured or held by the Secretary.

(f) First lien. The first lien requirement under this part is implemented where the mortgage is filed in the State recording system and is a first lien under that system, even though the leasehold interest securing the mortgage is located on Indian land and filed with Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Any tribal government whose courts have jurisdiction to hear foreclosures must also:

(1) Enact a law satisfactory to the Commissioner providing for the satisfaction of FHA-insured and Secretary-held mortgages before other obligations (other than tribal leasehold taxes against the property assessed after the property is mortgaged) are satisfied; or

(2) Enact a law providing that State law shall determine the priority of liens against the property.

(g) Definitions. As used in this section and elsewhere in this part, the term:

(1) Indian means and individual member of any Indian tribe and that member's family.

(2) Indian land means trust or otherwise restricted land (i) as defined by the Secretary of the Interior, over which an Indian tribe is recognized by the United States as having governmental jurisdiction; (ii) held in trust for the benefit of any Indian tribe or individual or held by any Indian tribe or individual subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation; or (iii) acquired by Alaska natives under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or any other land acquired by Alaska natives pursuant to statute by virtue of their unique status as Alaska natives.

(3) Indian tribe means any Indian or Alaska native tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians or Alaskan natives recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians or Alaska natives by the Secretary of the Interior because of its status as such an entity, or that is an eligible recipient under chapter 67 of title 31, United States Code. For purposes of engaging in section 248 insured mortgage transactions under this section, an Indian tribe may act through its duly authorized representative.

(a) Eligibility. A mortgage on a homestead lease granted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands covering a one- to four-family residence located on Hawaiian home lands is eligible for insurance pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-12) if the mortgagor is a native Hawaiian who will occupy it as a principal residence, and if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section. Mortgage insurance on cooperative shares under § 203.43c on homes in federally impacted areas under § 203.43e is not authorized under this section.

(b) Exemptions from other regulations. The provisions of subparts I, J, and M of part 200, and § 203.30, to the extent that these provisions would otherwise prohibit preferences in favor of Native Hawaiians in the leasing, sale or other disposition of Hawaiian home lands, do not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act. The first lien requirement contained in § 203.17 also does not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act.

(c) Definitions. (1) Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is a Department of the State of Hawaii responsible for management of Hawaiian home lands for the benefit of native Hawaiians.

(2) Hawaiian home lands means all land given the status of Hawaiian home lands under section 204 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, or under the corresponding provisions of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii adopted under section 4 of the Act entitled, “An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union”, approved March 18, 1959.

(3) Native Hawaiian means any descendant of not less than one-half part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands before Janaury 1, 1778 (or, in the case of an individual who succeeds a spouse or parent in an interest in a lease of Hawaiian home lands, such lower percentage as may be established for such succession under section 209 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, or under the corresponding provision of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii adopted under section 4 of the Act entitled, “An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union”, approved March 18, 1959).

(d) Conditions for insurance. Mortgages will be eligible for insurance under this section, according to the procedures in §§ 203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable), only where the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands:

(1) Will be a comortgagor;

(2) Guarantees or reimburse the Secretary for any mortgage insurance claim paid in connection with a property on Hawaiian home lands; or

(3) Offers other security acceptable to the Secretary.

(e) Acceptable security. Any agreement by the Secretary to accept alternative security under paragraph (d)(3) of this section must contain provisions designed to ensure that the insurance of mortgages under this section has a neutral impact on the appropriate insurance funds. These provisions may require the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to make an initial deposit of funds with HUD and to maintain additional funds in reserve for subsequent deposits with HUD. The initial and subsequent deposits shall be used to pay obligations incurred by HUD in connection with the insurance of mortgages under this section and any associated costs, including refunds of insurance premiums to mortgagors. If the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands agrees to make deposits in amounts acceptable to HUD, then the Secretary may agree to use a portion of the premiums received for insurance of mortgages under this section solely for payment of such obligations and associated costs.

(f) Recordation. The mortgagee must certify that the mortgage has been recorded with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

(g) Construction advances. Advances made by the mortgagee during construction are eligible for insurance, according to the procedures in §§ 203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable), if the Secretary determines that no feasible financing alternative is available and if:

(1) The mortgagor and the mortgagee execute a building loan agreement, approved by the Secretary, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made;

(2) The advances are made only as provided in the commitment or the approval by the Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance underwriter;

(3) The principal amount of the mortgage is held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor, pending advancement to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors as provided in the loan agreement; and

(4) The mortgage bears interest on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or to his or her creditors and on the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor.

(h) Form of lease. The form of lease must be approved by both HUD and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The form of lease must contain a provision requirung that, while the mortgage insurance remains in effect, assumption of the leasehold is restricted to those persons who have certificates issued by the DHHL certifying that they are Native Hawaiians. The lease may not be terminated by DHHL without the approval of the Secretary while the mortgage is insured or held by the Secretary.

(i) Eligibility of mortgagor. In addition to the eligibility requirements contained in this subpart, the mortgagor must produce the following documentation in order to establish his or her eligibility:

(1) A certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands certifying that the mortgagor is a Native Hawaiian; and

(2) A homestead lease granted to the mortgagor by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

A mortgage on a leasehold estate covering a one- to four-family residence located on the Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians in the State of New York is eligible for insurance if the mortgage meets the requirements of this subpart as modified by this section.

(a) Title. This section applies only to a mortgage which:

(1) Does not meet the requirements of § 203.37;

(2) Is on a leasehold under a lease with a termination date in February 1991, which provides for renewal in accordance with the Act of February 19, 1875 (18 Stat. 330) and the Act of September 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 558).

(b) Provisions of mortgage. The Secretary will prescribe special mortgage provisions in the form of a mortgage rider in order better to secure the mortgagee, including:

(1) Authorization for the mortgagee to exercise the option of lease renewal if the mortgagor fails to do so, and to recover from the mortgagor authorized expenses incurred to obtain lease renewal; and

(2) Making a mortgagor failure to take steps necessary for less renewal an event of default under the mortgage.

(c) Secretary agreement with mortgagor. The mortgagor must enter into an agreement with the Secretary and such other parties as the Secretary may require regarding actions to be taken to obtain either a renewal of the lease or a new lease.

(d) Certification. The borrower must certify that it has received disclosures, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, explaining the status of the lease and the consequences of nonrenewal. The disclosure shall include a discussion of the fact that a mortgagor who does not obtain a lease renewal and loses the right of occupancy will remain liable for the outstanding balance of the mortgage.

(e) Purchase for principal residence. The mortgagor must be a purchaser who intends to occupy the property as a principal residence (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)), or a current owner-occupant refinancing a mortgage which is now due or which will become due before the lease termination date in February 1991.

(f) Relationship of income to housing expense. For purposes of § 203.33(a), the total prospective housing expense shall include the Secretary's estimate of future lease payments during the term of the mortgage rather than lease payments in effect at the time of application.

(g) Suspension of commitments. The Secretary may suspend the issuance of commitments to insure mortgages under this section, for the entire period during which commitments could otherwise be issued for insurance under this section (i.e., through February 18, 1991) or for such lesser period as the Secretary may specify, by providing thirty days notice of suspension in the Federal Register. Regardless of its duration, a suspension to be imposed prior to February 19, 1990, will be based on a determination by the Secretary that, for mortgages insured during a specified period, the rate of monetary defaults (as measured by 90 day delinquencies) for mortgages insured under this section exceeds the rate of such monetary defaults for all insured mortgages on one- to four-family properties in the State of New York. A suspension to be imposed after February 18, 1990, will be based on a consideration by the Secretary of the probable costs to the Special Risk Insurance Fund of further commitments to insure under this section, as measured by such factors as the current and projected rate and amount of claims payments, together with other significant current and projected costs as determined by the Secretary, including a review of the actual and projected monetary default rate (as measured by 90 day delinquencies) and the actual and projected rate of lease renewal through negotiation and arbitration.

Mortgagees may not make open-end advances under section 225 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715p) in connection with the mortgages insured under this chapter.

A mortgage containing provisions for accelerated amortization corresponding to anticipated variations in family income shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart, subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section.

(a) The mortgage must contain complete amortization provisions, satisfactory to the Secretary, requiring monthly payments by the mortgagor not in excess of the mortgagor's reasonable ability to pay, as determined by the Secretary.

(b) The mortgage must contain a provision setting forth the payments required for principal and interest in each year of the mortgage.

(c) The monthly payments for principal and interest for the initial year, or such other initial period as the commissioner may approve, shall be determined on the basis of a 30-year level payment amortization schedule. Subsequent monthly payments for principal and interest may increase annually, biennially or at such other interval that is greater than one year, as the Commissioner may approve. The subsequent periodic increases may be up to five percent above the payments for principal and interest for the previous period.

(d) No later than at the time that a loan application is offered to a prospective mortgagor, the mortgagee shall explain fully to the mortgagor the nature of the obligation undertaken and the mortgagor shall certify that he or she fully understands the obligation.

(e) The mortgage amount shall not exceed the limits prescribed by § 203.18, 203.18a, or 203.29.

(f) Sections 203.21 and 203.44 shall not apply to this section.

(g) This section shall not apply to a mortgage which meets the requirements of § 203.43, § 203.43a, or § 203.49.

(h) Mortgages complying with the requirements of this section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 245(a) of the National Housing Act.

A mortgage containing the provisions for periodic adjustments by the mortgagee in the effective rate of interest charged shall be eligible for insurance under this subpart subject to compliance with the additional requirements of this section. This section shall apply only to mortgage loans described under sections 203(b), 203(h) and 203(k) of the National Housing Act.

(a) Interest-rate index. Changes in the interest rate charged on an adjustable rate mortgage must correspond to changes in the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year. Except as otherwise provided in this section, each change in the mortgage interest rate must correspond to the upward and downward change in the index.

(b) Amortization provisions. The mortgage must contain amortization provisions satisfactory to the Secretary, allowing for periodic adjustments in the rate of interest charged corresponding to changes in the interest rate index.

(c) Frequency of interest rate changes. Interest rate adjustments must occur on an annual basis, except that the first adjustment may occur no sooner than 12 months nor later than 18 months from the date of the mortgagor's first debt service payment. To set the new interest rate, the mortgagee will determine the change between the initial (i.e., base) index figure and the current index figure, or will add a specified margin to the current index figure. The initial index figure shall be the most recent figure available before the date of mortgage loan origination. The current index figure shall be the most recent index figure available 30 days before the date of each interest rate adjustment.

(d) Method of rate changes. Interest rate changes may only be implemented through adjustments to the mortgagor's monthly payments.

(e) Magnitude of changes. The adjustable rate mortgage initial contract interest rate shall be agreed upon by the mortgagee and the mortgagor. Subsequent adjustments to this interest rate shall correspond to annual changes in the interest rate index, subject to the following conditions and limitations:

(1) No single adjustment to the interest rate may result in a change in either direction of more than one percentage point from the interest rate in effect for the period immediately preceding that adjustment. Index changes in excess of one percentage point may not be carried over for inclusion in an adjustment in a subsequent year. Adjustments in the effective rate of interest over the entire term of the mortgage may not result in a change in either direction of more than five percentage points from the initial contract interest rate.

(2) At each adjustment date, changes in the index interest rate, whether increases or decreases, must be translated into the adjusted mortgage interest rate, except that the mortgage may provide for minimum interest rate change limitations and for minimum increments of interest rate changes.

(f) Pre-loan disclosure. The mortgagee shall explain fully and in writing to the mortgagor, no later than on the date upon which the mortgagee provides the (prospective) mortgagor with a loan application, the nature of the obligation taken. The mortgagor shall certify that he or she fully understands the obligation. Such mortgagee disclosure must include the following items:

(1) The fact that the mortgage interest rate may change, and an explanation of how changes correspond to changes in the interest rate index;

(2) Identification of the interest rate index, its source of publication and availability;

(3) The frequency (i.e., annually) with which interest rate levels and monthly payments will be adjusted, and the length of the interval that will precede the initial adjustment;

(4) A hypothetical monthly payment schedule that displays the maximum potential increases in monthly payments to the mortgagor over the first five years of the mortgage, subject to the provisions of the mortgage instrument.

(g) Annual disclosure. At least 25 days before any adjustment to a mortgagor's monthly payment may occur, the mortgagee must advise the mortgagor of the new mortgage interest rate, the amount of the new monthly payment, the current index interest rate value, and how the payment adjustment was calculated.

(h) Cross-reference. Sections 203.21 (level payment amortization provisions) and 203.44 (open-end advances) do not apply to this section. This section does not apply to a mortgage that meets the requirements of §§ 203.18(a)(4) (mortgagors of secondary residences), 203.18(c) (eligible non-occupant mortgagors), 203.18(d) (outlying area properties), 203.18(e) (disaster victims), 203.43 (miscellaneous type mortgages), 203.43c (mortgages involving a dwelling unit in a cooperative housing development), 203.43d (mortgages in certain communities), 203.43e (mortgages covering houses in federally impacted areas), 203.45 (graduated payment mortgages), and 203.47 (growing equity mortgages).

(i) Aggregate amount of mortgages insured. The aggregate number of mortgages insured pursaunt to this section and § 234.79 of this chapter in any fiscal year may not exceed 30 percent of the aggregate number of mortgages and loans insured by the Commissioner under title II of the Act during the preceding fiscal year.

(j) Insurance authority. Mortgages complying with the requirements ofthis section shall be insured under this subpart pursuant to section 251 of the National Housing Act.

A rehabilitation loan which meets the requirements of this subpart, except as modified by this section, shall be eligible for insurance under section 203(k) of the National Housing Act.

(a) For the purpose of this section:

(1) The term rehabilitation loan means a loan, advance of credit, or purchase of an obligation representing a loan or advancement of credit, made for the purpose of financing:

(i) The rehabilitation of an existing one-to-four unit structure which will be used primarily for residential purposes;

(ii) The rehabilitation of such a structure and refinancing of the outstanding indebtedness on such structure and the real property on which the structure is located; or

(iii) The rehabilitation of such a structure and the purchase of the structure and the real property on which it is located; and

(2) The term ‘rehabilitation’ means the improvement (including improvements designed to meet cost-effective energy conservation standards prescribed by the Secretary and improvements for accessibility to the handicapped) or repair of a structure, or facilities in connection with a structure, and may include the provision of such sanitary or other facilities as are required by applicable codes, a community development plan, or a statewide property insurance plan to be provided by the owner or tenant of the project.

(b) The provisions of § 203.18 (except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (f) (1) and (2) of this section) and § 203.43c shall not apply to loans insured under this section.

(c) The loan shall cover a dwelling which was completed more than one year preceding the date of the application for mortgage insurance and which was approved for mortgage insurance prior to the beginning of rehabilitation.

(d)(1) The buildings on the mortgaged property must, upon completion of rehabilitation, conform with standards prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) Improvements or repairs made under this section must be designed to meet cost-effective energy conservation standards prescribed by the Secretary.

(e) The loan transaction shall be an acceptable risk as determined by the Commissioner.

(f) The loan may not exceed an amount which, when added to any outstanding indebtedness of the borrower that is secured by the property, creates an outstanding indebtedness in excess of the lesser of:

(1)(i) The limits prescribed in §§ 203.18(a) (1) and (3) (in the case of a dwelling to be occupied as a principal residence, as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)); (ii) the limits prescribed in §§ 203.18(a) (1) and (4) (in the case of a dwelling to be occupied as a secondary residence, as defined in § 203.18(f)(2)); (iii) 85 percent of the limits prescribed in § 203.18(c), or such higher limit, not to exceed the limits set forth in §§ 203.18(a) (1) and (3), as the Secretary may prescribe (in the case of an eligible non-occupant mortgagor as defined in § 203.18(f)(3)); (iv) the limits prescribed in § 203.18a, based upon the sum of the estimated cost of rehabilitation and the Commissioner's estimate of the value of the property before rehabilitation; or

(2) The limits prescribed in the authorities listed in this paragraph (f), based upon 110 percent of the Commissioner's estimate of the value of the property after rehabilitation.

(g) The loan limitation prescribed by paragraph (f)(2) of this section shall not be applicable where a unit of local government demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that:

(1) The property is located within an area which is subject to a community sponsored program of concentrated redevelopment or revitalization, and,

(2) The loan limitation prescribed by paragraph (f)(2) of this section, prevents the utilization of the program to accomplish rehabilitation in the subject area, and,

(3) The interests of the mortgagor and the Commissioner are adequately protected.

(h) Insurance may be available for advances made during rehabilitation or upon completion of rehabilitation, according to the procedures in § 203.5, 203.6, or 203.7 (as applicable).

(i) Rehabilitation loans which do not involve the insurance of advances, the refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or the purchase of the property need not be a first lien on the property but shall not be junior to any lien other than a first mortgage. The provisions of §§ 203.15, 203.19, 203.23, 203.24, 203.26, and 203.43j shall not be applicable to such loans.

(j) The Commissioner may insure advances made by the mortgagee during rehabilitation if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The mortgage shall be a first lien on the property.

(2) The mortgagor and the mortgagee shall execute a rehabilitation loan agreement, approved by the Commissioner, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made.

(3) The advances shall be made as provided in the reliabilitation loan agreement.

(4) The principal amount of the mortgage shall be held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor pending advancement to the mortgagor or his creditors as provided in the rehabilitation loan agreement.

(5) The loan shall bear interest at the rate prescribed in § 203.20 on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or its creditors, and the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor.

(6) If paragraph (k) of this section applies, the rehabilitation loan agreement shall restrict advancement to the mortgagor, or to creditors other than the mortgagee, so that any loan proceeds in excess of the 85 percent set forth in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section shall not be advanced until the property is sold to a purchaser described in paragraph (k)(2) of this section.

(k) In the case of a dwelling (1) to be occupied neither as a principal residence nor as a secondary residence and (2) where the loan is approved for a limit higher than the 85 percent set forth in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section, the eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in § 203.18(f)(3)) shall certify to the Commissioner that:

(1) The mortgagor will not rent (except for a rental term of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days), sell (except where the insured mortgage is paid in full as an incident of the sale), or occupy the property before a due date approved by the Commissioner, except with the prior written approval of the Commissioner;

(2) The mortgagor agrees that, if the property is not sold before a due date approved by the Commissioner to a purchaser, acceptable to the Commissioner, who will occupy the property, assume personal liability, and agree to pay the mortgage indebtedness, any amount held in escrow, trust, or special account under paragraph (j) of this section will be applied in reduction of the outstanding principal amount of the mortgage as of the due date approved by the Commissioner;

(3) The mortgagee agrees that any portion of the fund held in escrow, trust, or special account, not applied to the mortgage in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (k), shall be deducted from the amount of the insurance benefits to which the mortgagee would otherwise be entitled if a claim for insurance benefits is filed.

The provisions of §§ 203.18 (a), (c), (d), (e)(1), and (f); § 203.29(c); § 203.31; § 203.43(c); 203.43(k); § 203.43c(g); § 203.43d(a), § 203.43g(a)(1); § 203.43j(e); § 203.45(g); § 203.49(h); § 203.50(f); and § 203.50(k) of this subpart apply to mortgages insured:

(1) Pursuant to a conditional commitment or master conditional commitment issued on or after September 24, 1990; or

(2) In accordance with the Direct Endorsement program, if the underwriter of the mortgagee signs the appraisal report or master appraisal report for the property on or after September 24, 1990; or

(3) Pursuant to a certificate of reasonable value or master certificate of reasonable value issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs on or after September 24, 1990.

If a property otherwise eligible for insurance under this part does not have access to a continuing supply of safe and potable water without the use of a water purification system, the requirements of this section must be complied with as a condition to acceptance of the mortgage for insurance. The mortgagee must provide appropriate documentation with the submission for insurance endorsement to address each of the requirements of this section.

(a) Equipment. Water purification equipment must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the local or state health authority.

(b) Certification by local (or state) health authority. A local (or state) health authority certification must be submitted to HUD which certifies that:

(1) A point-of-entry or point-of-use water purification system is currently in operation on the property. If the system in operation employs point-of-use equipment, the purification system must be employed on each water supply source (faucet) serving the property. Where point-of-entry systems are used, separate water supply systems carrying untreated water for flushing toilets may be constructed.

(2) The system is sufficient to assure an uninterrupted supply of safe and potable water adequate to meet household needs.

(3) The water supply, when treated by the equipment, meets the requirements of the local (or state) health authority, and has been determined to meet local or state quality standards for drinking water. If neither state nor local standards are applicable, then quality shall be determined in accordance with standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act. (EPA standards are prescribed in the National Primary Drinking Water requirements, 40 CFR parts 141 and 142.)

(4) There exists a Plan providing for the monitoring, servicing, maintenance, and replacement of the water equipment, which Plan meets the requirements of paragaph (f) of this section.

(c) Mortgagor notice and certification. (1) The prospective mortgagor must have received written notification, before the mortgagor signed a sales contract, that the property has a hazardous water supply that requires treatment in order to remain safe and acceptable for human consumption. The notification to the mortgagor must identify specific contaminants in the water supply serving the property, and the related health hazard arising from the presence of those contaminants.

(2) The mortgagor must have received, with the notification described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a written good faith estimate of the maintenance and replacement costs of the equipment necessary to assure continuing safe drinking water.

(3) A copy of the notification statement (including cost estimates), dated before the date of the sales contract, and signed by the prospective mortgagor to acknowledge its receipt, must accompany the submission for insurance endorsement. If a sales contract is signed in advance of the disclosure required by this paragraph, another sales contract must be executed after the information is provided to the prospective mortgagor and he or she has acknowledged receipt of the disclosure.

(4) The prospective mortgagor must sign a certification, substantially in the form set out in this paragraph (c)(4), at the time the application for mortgage credit approval is signed. This certification must be submitted to HUD:

(d) Service contract. Before mortgage closing, the mortgagor must enter into a service contract with an organization or individual specifically approved by the local (or state) health authority to carry out the provisions of the required Plan for servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification equipment. A copy of the signed service contract must be provided to HUD.

(e) Escrow for maintenance and replacement. The mortgagee must establish and maintain an escrow account which provides for the accumulation of funds paid with the mortgagor's monthly mortgage payment adequate to assure proper servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification equipment. The amount to be collected and escrowed by the mortgagee shall be based upon information provided by the manufacturer for the maintenance and replacement of the water purification equipment and for other charges anticipated by the service contractor. The initial monthly escrow amount shall be stated in the Plan. Disbursements from the account will be limited to costs associated with the normal servicing, maintenance, repair or replacement of the water purification equipment. Disbursements may only be made to the service contractor or its successor, to equipment suppliers, to the local (or state) health authority for the performance of testing or other required services, or to another entity approved by the health authority. So long as water purification remains necessary and the mortgage is insured by HUD, the mortgagee must maintain the escrow account.

(f) Approved Plan. A Plan, in the form of a contract entered into by the mortgagor and mortgagee and approved by the local (or state) health authority, must set out conditions that must be met by the parties as a condition to insurance of the mortgage by HUD. To be approved by the health authority:

(1) The Plan must set forth the respective responsibilities to be assumed by the mortgagor and the mortgagee, as well as the other entities who will implement the Plan, i.e., the health authority and the service contractor. In particular:

(i) The Plan must set out the responsibilities of the health authority for monitoring and enforcing performance of the service contractor, including any successor contractor that the health authority may later have occasion to name. By its approval of the Plan, the health authority documents its acceptance of these responsibilities, and the Plan should so indicate;

(ii) The Plan must provide for the monitoring of the operation of the water purification equipment, as well as for servicing (including disinfecting), and for repairing and replacing the system, as frequently as necessary, taking into consideration the system's design, anticipated use, and the type and level of contaminants present. Installation, servicing, repair and replacement of the water purification system must be performed by an individual or organization approved for the purpose by the local (or state) health authority and identified in the Plan. In meeting the requirements of paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the Plan may incorporate by reference specific terms and conditions of the service contract required under paragraph (d) of this section.

(iii) Under the Plan, responsibility for monitoring the performance of the service contractor and for assuring that the water purification system is properly serviced, repaired, and replaced rests with the local (or state) health authority that has given its approval to the Plan. The Plan must confer on the health authority all powers necessary to effect compliance by the service contractor. The health authority's powers shall include the authority to notify the mortgagor of any noncompliance by the service contractor. The plan must provide that, upon any notification of noncompliance received from the health authority, the mortgagor shall have the right to discharge the service contractor for cause and to appoint a successor organization or individual as service contractor; and

(iv) The Plan must provide for the mortgagor to make periodic escrow payments necessary for the servicing, maintenance, repair and replacement of the water purification system, and for the mortgagee to disburse funds from the escrow account as required, to the appropriate party or parties.

(2) The Plan must provide that if the dwelling served by the water purification system is refinanced, or is sold or otherwise transferred with a HUD-insured mortgage, the Plan will:

(i) Continue in full force and effect;

(ii) Impose an obligation on the mortgagor to notify any subsequent purchaser or transferee of the necessity for the water purification system and for its proper maintenance, and of the obligation to make escrow payments; and

(iii) Require the mortgagor to furnish the purchaser with a copy of the Plan, before any sales contract is signed.

(g) Periodic analysis. Any Plan developed in accordance with this section must provide that an analysis of the water supply shall be obtained from the local (or state) health authority no less frequently than annually, but more frequently, if determined at any time to be necessary by the health authority or by the service contractor.

Effective August 6, 1991, the provisions and requirements set forth in § 203.202 through § 203.209 apply to one- to four-family dwellings covered by HUD mortgage insurance (including family units in a condominium where the units are insured under subpart A of part 234 of this chapter).

(a) For a Plan to be acceptable to HUD, it must assure that:

(1) If a builder, for any reason, fails to correct structural defects or construction deficiencies in a property covered by an insured 10-year protection Plan during the term of any warranty offered by the builder on the property, the Plan issuer will effect the corrections in accordance with the terms of the Plan; and

(2) If a Plan issuer, for any reason, fails to effect correction of these deficiencies or defects, or otherwise fails to honor the terms of its coverage, its insurance backer or, if the Plan issuer is an insurance company, the insurance company itself, will effect the corrections or otherwise honor the terms of the Plan.

(b) In evaluating applications for renewal of Plan acceptance, HUD will take into consideration such reliable evidence as is made available to the Department of a Plan issuer's failure to fulfill its obligations. Where HUD has credible evidence of a Plan issuer's failure to correct covered homeowner problems, or there are justifiable homeowner complaints about untimely problem resolution by a Plan issuer, HUD will consider this as cause for termination of a Plan's acceptance and as grounds for initiation of sanctions against a Plan issuer or insurance backer in accordance with 24 CFR part 24. If HUD proposes to terminate a Plan's acceptance, the issuer of the Plan will be advised of the reason therefor, and the procedural safeguards of 24 CFR part 24 will apply.

(c) Unless renewed, Plan acceptance by HUD expires automatically on the second anniversary date of acceptance. The Plan issuer must apply for acceptance renewal at least two months, but no more than three months, in advance of expiration to avoid automatic acceptance termination. Prior acceptance of a Plan will be continued beyond the date of automatic acceptance termination only by a written notification to the Plan issuer and only if the delay is caused by a lack of timely HUD processing of a renewal application. HUD will not extend the expiration date of a prior Plan acceptance if the Plan issuer has negligently provided incomplete information with its renewal application.

(d) After a Plan has been accepted by HUD, there shall be no change in, or modification to, its provisions, or in its insurance backers or insurance contract(s), without prior written HUD acceptance of such change or modification, except that changes mandated by other applicable laws may not require HUD's prior approval. A violation of this condition may be cause for termination of a Plan's acceptance, and may be grounds for initiation of sanctions against the Plan issuer in accordance with 24 CFR part 24. Insofar as practicable, HUD will respond to a Plan issuer's request for acceptance of a change within 30 days of receipt of the request. Plan acceptance by HUD will be for a two-year period.

(e) Requests for initial HUD acceptance or renewal of acceptance of a Plan should be made to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. Requests must be accompanied by information and documentation evidencing Plan compliance with § 203.204. Acceptability of Plans will be determined by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing who will notify applicants of his or her determination. If a Plan is rejected, the applicant will be advised of the reason for rejection. The applicant may appeal the rejection to the Assistant Secretary for Housing, at the above address, stating specifically why the Plan should be approved. The Assistant Secretary (whose decision is final) will, within a reasonable time, advise the applicant whether the rejection will be upheld or reversed. Each HUD field office will be advised of Plans determined to be acceptable, or Plans that have been rejected.

(f) Existing Plans will be allowed a grace period of 9 months commencing from November 6, 1990 to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the provisions and requirements of § 203.200 to § 203.209.

(g) Each Plan issuer must submit a written certification addressed to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410, no later than three weeks before the anniversary date of the Plan's acceptance by HUD, that the insurance company backing its Plan is still an insurance carrier approved by the State insurance commission (or the equivalent entity) in each jurisdiction in which the Plan is offered, or is still a Risk Retention Group meeting the criteria of § 203.208 of this part.

(a) Plans may be issued:

(1) By a builder, warranty company, insurance company, or Risk Retention Group (see 15 U.S.C. 3901a(4)(A)-(H) (Supp. IV 1986); or

(2) By a State that guarantees the builder's performance and the State's continuing financial backing throughout the Plan's coverage period.

(b) All Plans must have insurance backing unless backed by the full faith and credit of a State.

(c)(1) Plans backed by the full faith and credit of a State must be in compliance with § 203.200 through § 203.202, § 203.204 through § 203.206, and § 203.209 to be acceptable to HUD. HUD will evaluate these Plans to ensure their compliance with these sections.

(2) HUD will not accept Plans backed by a State agency or a State insurance guaranty fund unless HUD is assured that the full faith and credit of the State is pledged to satisfy any and all obligations of the State agency or guaranty fund that may arise in connection with its financial backing of a Plan.

(d) The functions of a Plan issuer and an insurance backer may be performed by a single corporate entity.

In addition to complying with the criteria set out in § 203.202 and § 203.205, for a Plan to be acceptable to HUD, it must meet the following requirements:

(a) A Plan must assure timely resolution of homeowners’ complaints or claims covered under § 203.205. Warranties set forth in a Plan must comply with section 2301(a)(1)-(13) of the Magnuson-Mass Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act (15 U.S.C. 2301-2312) along with the requirements and criteria set out in this section.

(b) The entire cost to the homeowner for Plan coverage must be prepaid by the builder, or the Plan issuer must give irrevocable coverage, at the time of settlement. In the case of optional coverage beyond the coverage required under § 203.205, the cost for the optional coverage may be paid by either the builder or the homeowner.

(c) Unexpired Plan coverage must be automatically transferred, without additional cost, to subsequent homeowners.

(d) Issued Plan coverage must be noncancellable by a Plan issuer or by its insurance backer(s).

(e) Exclusions from Plan coverage must not defeat coverage objectives stated in § 203.202 and § 203.205 and must permit normal homeowner use of the covered property, including normal maintenance and emergency property protection measures.

(f) Unless prohibited by applicable law, Plans must, at a minimum, stipulate that all homeowner complaints covered by a Plan, including those regarding construction deficiencies and structural defects claims, will be settled in the amount of their actual cost to correct or for the original sales price of the property, whichever is the lesser, subject to a deductible not to exceed a total of $250 for all claims filed by a homeowner during the first two years of coverage and not to exceed a maximum of $250 per claim during the third through the tenth year of coverage.

(1) In the case of claims filed by a condominium association, the deductible is limited to $250.00 per claim for each affected unit in the structure, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000.00 where the claim relates to the same event that affected several units. Recurrent claims for structural defects occasioned by a common cause shall be subject to the payment of no more than one deductible. In addition, a Plan covering a condominium must provide the condominium association with an additional warranty that allows for claims by homeowners involving the common elements of the building.

(2) A homeowner shall be liable for a deductible only if a builder defaults on warranty performance and the Plan issuer has to make the covered corrections. When the builder performs corrections under the builder's warranty, no deductible that may be included in the Plan is applicable.

(g) In the event of any dispute regarding a homeowner complaint or structural defect claim, Plans must, unless prohibited by applicable law, provide for binding arbitration proceedings arranged through a nationally recognized dispute settlement organization. The sharing of arbitration charges shall be as determined by the Plan. A Plan must contain pre-arbitration conciliation provisions at no cost to the homeowner, and provision for judicial resolution of disputes, but arbitration, which must be available to a homeowner during the entire term of the coverage contract, must be an assured recourse for a dissatisfied homeowner.

(h) Where a State has a home protection act or other statutes or regulations that require its approval of Plans, a Plan issuer must demonstrate such approval to HUD as an additional prerequisite to HUD acceptance.

(i) A Plan issuer must provide homeowners an executed coverage contract clearly describing—

(1) The identity of the property covered;

(2) The time at which coverage begins;

(3) The maximum amount of Plan liability;

(4) Noncancellability of the coverage contract by the Plan or its insurance backers;

(5) No-cost transferability of unexpired coverage to successors in title;

(6) The property coverage provided;

(7) Any exclusions from coverage;

(8) Performance standards for resolving homeowner complaints and claims (if standards for complaint and claim adjustment are promulgated as part of a Plan);

(9) Dispute settlement procedures;

(10) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the Plan issuer and its insurance backers; and

(11) When, to whom, under what conditions, and to what address homeowners should submit any construction deficiency complaints or structural defects claims.

(j) Plans will not be required to warrant that a covered property complies with:

(1) Original dwelling plans and specifications;

(2) Applicable building codes; or

(3) Specific terms of a homeowner's contract to purchase a property.

(a) Plan coverage must take effect at closing or settlement following the initial sale of the property to the homeowner.

(b) During the first year of coverage, a Plan must provide for a warranty against defects in workmanship and materials resulting from the failure of the covered property to comply with standards of quality as measured by acceptable trade practices, as well as correct the problems with, or restore the reliable function of, appliances and equipment damaged during installation or improperly installed by the builder. The plan must also cover structural defects as defined in § 203.200.

(c) During the first and second year of coverage, a Plan must provide a warranty against defects in the wiring, piping and ductwork in the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating, and mechanical systems.

(d) Basement slabs in designated areas must be covered by a warranty in the Plan against damage from the first through the fourth year.

(e) From the first through the tenth year, structural defect (as defined in § 203.200), except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, must be covered by a warranty in the Plan.

(f) A Plan must provide insurance coverage for builder default on any warranty obligation.

A Plan may contain housing performance standards or criteria for resolution of homeowner claims or complaints that are fair, reasonable, and consistent with the intent of the Plan, including Plan coverage under § 203.205. If a Plan contains such criteria or standards, they must be acceptable to the Secretary.

The Secretary may designate any part of the country as a “high risk area” where construction practices allow basement slabs to be placed on expansive or collapsible soil. By virtue of this authority, the Secretary has designated the State of Colorado as a “high risk area.”

An insurance company backing or operating a Plan must be duly licensed or approved (and with the Plan filed and approved where appropriate) to market such insurance coverage by the proper regulatory agency in each State in which the Plan will operate. Any company operating under the Product Liability Risk Retention Act of 1981, as amended, will be regarded as having met licensing, filing, and approval requirements of all States, but must first demonstrate that it—

(1) Meets licensing, filing and approval requirements in its domiciliary State; and

(2) Meets each of the requirements of paragraphs (A) through (H) of section (a)(4) of the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 (15 U.S.C. 3901(a)(4) (A) through (H), (Supp. IV 1986).

(a) If a Plan issuer or insurance backer elects to compensate a homeowner for damage suffered by the homeowner's property that is covered under a Plan in lieu of the Plan issuer's making repairs such compensation must be made jointly to the mortgagee and the homeowner.

(b) If payment is to be made to the mortgagee and homeowner, the Plan issuer first must receive the mortgagee's assurance in witing that the mortgagee is satisfied, based on a showing by the homeowner, that the homeowner has made a binding commitment to have the necessary repairs made to restore the damaged property. It a homeowner elects not to repair his or her damaged property, then the mortgagee must apply the compensation in reduction of the outstanding indebtedness of the mortgage.

The regulations in this subpart may be amended by the Secretary at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, but such amendment will not adversely affect the interests of a mortgagee under the contract of insurance on any mortgage or loan already insured, and will not adversely affect the interest of a mortgagee on any mortgage or loan to be insured for which either the Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance mortgagee has approved the mortgagor and all terms and conditions of the mortgage or loan, or the Secretary has issued a firm commitment. In addition, such amendment will not adversely affect the eligibility of specific property if such property is covered by a conditional commitment issued by the Secretary, a certificate of reasonable value issued by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or an appraisal report approved by a Direct Endorsement or Lender Insurance underwriter.

As used in this subpart, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

(a) Commissioner means the Federal Housing Commissioner or his authorized representative.

(b) Act means the National Housing Act, as amended.

(c) FHA means the Federal Housing Administration.

(d) Mortgage is defined at § 203.17(a)(1).

(e) Mortgagor means the original borrower under a mortgage and his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

(f) Mortgagee means the original lender under a mortgage and its successors and such of its assigns as are approved by the Commissioner.

(g)-(h) [Reserved]

(i) Insured mortgage means a mortgage which has been insured as evidenced by the issuance of a Mortgage Insurance Certificate or by the endorsement of the credit instrument for insurance by the Commissioner.

(j) Contract of Insurance means the agreement evidenced by the issuance of a Mortgage Insurance Certificate or by the endorsement of the Commissioner upon the credit instrument given in connection with an insured mortgage, incorporating by reference the regulations in this subpart and the applicable provisions of the Act.

(k) MIP means the mortgage insurance premium paid by the mortgagee to the Commissioner in consideration of the contract of insurance.

(l)-(m) [Reserved]

(n) Open-end advance means an insured advance made by an approved mortgagee in connection with a previously insured mortgage, pursuant to an open-end provision in the mortgage.

(o) Open-end insurance charge means the charge paid by the mortgagee to the Commissioner in consideration of the insurance of an open-end advance.

(p) Beginning of amortization means the date one month prior to the date of the first monthly payment to principal and interest.

(q) Maturity means the date on which the mortgage indebtedness would be extinguished if paid in accordance with periodic payments provided for in the mortgage.

(r) Debentures means registered, transferable securities in certificated or book entry form which are valid and binding obligations, issued in the name of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund in accordance with the provisions of this part; such debentures are the primary liability of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and are unconditionally guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States.

(s) State includes the several States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.

(a) Mortgages with firm commitments. For applications for insurance involving mortgages not eligible to be originated under the Direct Endorsement program under § 203.5, or under the Lender Insurance program under § 203.6, the Secretary will either endorse the mortgage for insurance by issuing a Mortgage Insurance Certificate, provided that the mortgagee is in compliance with the firm commitment, or will electronically acknowledge that the mortgage has been insured.

(b) Endorsement with Direct Endorsement processing. For applications for insurance involving mortgages originated under the Direct Endorsement program under § 203.5, the mortgagee shall submit to the Secretary, within 60 days after the date of closing of the loan or such additional time as permitted by the Secretary, properly completed documentation and certifications as listed in this paragraph (b):

(1) Property appraisal upon a form meeting the requirements of the Secretary, or a HUD conditional commitment (for proposed construction only) or a Department of Veterans Affairs certificate or reasonable value, and all accompanying documents required by the Secretary;

(2) An application for insurance of the mortgage in a form prescribed by the Secretary;

(3) A certified copy of the mortgage and note executed upon forms which meet the requirements of the Secretary;

(4) A warranty of completion, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, for proposed construction cases;

(5) An underwriter certification, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the underwriter has personally reviewed the appraisal report and credit application (including the analysis performed on the worksheets) and that the proposed mortgage complies with HUD underwriting requirements, and incorporating each of the underwriter certification items which apply to the mortgage submitted for endorsement, as set forth in the applicable handbook or similar publication that is distributed to all Direct Endorsement mortgagees, except that where an automated underwriting system (AUS) approved by the Secretary or Commissioner is used by the lender, and the AUS has determined that the application represents an acceptable risk under terms and conditions agreed to by the FHA, a Direct Endorsement underwriter shall not be required to certify that he/she has personally reviewed the credit application (including the analysis performed on any worksheets);

(6) Where applicable, a certificate under oath and contract regarding use of the dwelling for transient or hotel purposes;

(7) Where applicable, a certificate of intent to occupy by military personnel;

(8) Where a mortgage for an existing property is to be insured under section 221(d)(2) of the National Housing Act, a letter from the appropriate local government official that the property meets applicable code requirements;

(9) Where an individual water or sewer system is being used, an approval letter from the local health authority indicating approval of the system in accordance with § 200.926d(f) of this chapter;

(10) For proposed construction if the mortgage (excluding financed mortgage insurance premium) exceeds a 90 percent loan to value ratio, evidence that the mortgagee qualifies for a higher ratio loan under one of the applicable provisions in the appropriate regulations;

(11) A mortgagee certification on a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the authorized representative of the mortgagee (or loan correspondent sponsored by the mortgagee) who is making the certification has personally reviewed the mortgage documents and the application for insurance endorsement, and certifying that the mortgage complies with the requirements of this paragraph (b). The certification shall incorporate each of the mortgagee certification items which apply to the mortgage loan submitted for endorsement, as set forth in the applicable handbook or similar publication that is distributed to all Direct Endorsement mortgagees;

(12) For a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage under part 206 of this chapter, the additional documents required by § 206.15 of this chapter; and

(13) Such other documents as the Secretary may require.

(c) Pre-endorsement review for Direct Endorsement. Upon submission by an approved mortgagee of the documents required by paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary will review the documents and determine that:

(1) The mortgage is executed on a form which meets the requirements of the Secretary;

(2) The mortgage maturity meets the requirements of the applicable program;

(3) The stated mortgage amount does not exceed the maximum mortgage amount for the area as most recently announced by the Secretary, except for mortgages under 24 CFR part 206;

(4) All documents required by paragraph (b) of this section are submitted;

(5) All necessary certifications are made in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section;

(6) There is no mortgage insurance premium, late charge or interest due to the Secretary; and

(7) The mortgage was not in default when submitted for insurance or, if submitted for insurance more than 60 days after closing whether the mortgage shows an acceptable payment history.

(d) Submission by mortgagee other than originating mortgagee. If the originating mortgagee assigns the mortgage to another approved mortgagee before pre-endorsement review under paragraph (c) of this section, the assignee may submit the required documents for pre-endorsement review in the name of the originating mortgagee. All certifications must be executed by the originating mortgagee (or its underwriter, if appropriate). The purchasing mortgagee may pay any required mortgage insurance premium, late charge and interest.

(e) Post-Endorsement review for Direct Endorsement. Following endorsement for insurance, the Secretary may review all documents required by paragraph (b) of this section. If, following this review, the Secretary determines that the mortgage does not satisfy the requirements of the Direct Endorsement program, the Secretary may place the mortgagee on Direct Endorsement probation, or terminate the authority of the mortgagee to participate in the Direct Endorsement program pursuant to § 203.3(d), or refer the matter to the Mortgagee Review Board for action pursuant to part 25 of this title.

(f) Lender Insurance—(1) Pre-insurance review. For applications for insurance involving mortgages originated under the Lender Insurance program under § 203.6, the mortgagee is responsible for performing a pre-insurance review that meets HUD's requirements. HUD will directly inform participating mortgagees of its minimum requirements for pre-insurance review. The mortgagee's staff that performs the pre-insurance review must not be the same staff that originated the mortgage or underwrote the mortgage for insurance.

(2) Recordkeeping. Mortgagees must maintain records, including origination files, in a manner and for a time period to be prescribed by the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, and must make them available to authorized HUD staff upon request.

(3) Insuring the mortgage. If, following this review, the mortgage is determined to be eligible, the mortgagee will electronically submit all required data to HUD regarding the mortgage. HUD's electronic system will acknowledge that the mortgage has been insured. HUD's electronic system may also issue a notice to the mortgagee that the mortgage has been selected for post-insurance technical review, and that the HUD case binder must be sent to the identified HUD office.

(4) Indemnification. By insuring the mortgage, the mortgagee agrees to indemnify HUD under the conditions of section 256(c) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1717z-21(c)).

The mortgage shall be an insured mortgage from the date of the issuance of a Mortgage Insurance Certificate, from the date of the endorsement of the credit instrument, or from the date of HUD's electronic acknowledgement to the mortgagee that the mortgage is insured, as applicable. The Commissioner and the mortgagee are thereafter bound by the regulations in this subpart with the same force and to the same extent as if a separate contract had been executed relating to the insured mortgage, including the provisions of the regulations in this subpart and of the Act.

(a) Selling mortgagor. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the mortgagee may effect the release of a mortgagor from personal liability on the mortgage note, only if it obtains the Commissioner's approval of a substitute mortgagor, as provided by this section.

(b) Purchasing mortgagor. (1) The Commissioner may approve a substitute mortgagor with respect to any mortgage insured under § 203.43h or § 203.43i only if the mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence (as defined in § 203.18(f)(1)).

(2) The Commissioner may approve a substitute mortgagor with respect to any mortgage insured under this part (except a mortgage referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section), only if the substitute mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or as a secondary residence (as these terms are defined in § 203.18(f)) or if the substitute mortgagor is an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in § 203.18(f)).

(3) With respect to any mortgage covering a dwelling to be occupied as a secondary residence, the loan to value ratio may not exceed 85 percent of the greater of:

(i) The appraised value of the property at the time the mortgage is accepted for insurance; or

(ii) The appraised value of the property at the time approval of a substitute mortgagor is requested.

(c) Applicability-current mortgages. Paragraph (b) of this section applies to the Commissioner's approval of a substitute mortgagor only if the mortgage executed by the original mortgagor was insured:

(1) Pursuant to a conditional commitment or master conditional commitment issued on or after December 15, 1989; or

(2) In accordance with the Direct Endorsement program, where the underwriter of the mortgagee signed the appraisal report or master appraisal report for the property on or after December 15, 1989;

(3) Pursuant to a certificate of reasonable value or master certificate of reasonable value issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs on or after December 15, 1989.

(d) Applicability—earlier mortgages. If the mortgage was insured:

(1) Pursuant to a conditional commitment or master conditional commitment issued on or after February 5, 1988, but before December 15, 1989; or

(2) In accordance with the Direct Endorsement program, where the approved underwriter of the mortgagee signed the appraisal report or master appraisal report for the property on or after February 5, 1988, but before December 15, 1989, or

(3) Pursuant to a certificate of reasonable value or master certificate of reasonable value issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs on or after February 5, 1988, but before December 15, 1989, the Commissioner may approve a substitute mortgagor with respect to the mortgage only if the substitute mortgagor is to occupy the dwelling as a principal residence or a secondary residence (as these terms are defined in § 203.18(f)), or is an eligible non-occupant mortgagor (as defined in the following sentence), or if the mortgage has a principal balance that is not more than 75 percent of the greater of (i) the appraised value of the property at the time the mortgage is accepted for insurance, or (ii) the appraised value of the property at the time approval of a substitute mortgagor is requested. For purposes of this paragraph (d), the term eligible non-occupant mortgagor has the meaning given in § 203.18(f), except that paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section apply in place of § 203.18(f)(3) (i) and (ii).

(A) A public entity, as provided in section 214 or 247 of the National Housing Act; and

(B) A private nonprofit or public entity, as provided in section 221(h) or 235(j) of the National Housing Act.

(e) Direct endorsement. Mortgagees approved for participation in the Direct Endorsement program under § 203.3 may, subject to limitations established by the Commissioner, themselves approve an appropriate substitute mortgagor under this section for mortgages which they own or service, and need not obtain further specific approval from the Commissioner.

(f) Definition. As used in this section, the term substitute mortgagor includes:

(1) Persons who, upon the release by a mortgagee of a previous mortgagor from personal liability on the mortgage note, assume this liability and agree to pay the mortgage debt; and

(2) Persons who purchase without assuming liability on the mortgage note or purchase where no release is given by the mortgagee to the previous mortgagor.

The payment of any MIP under this subpart shall be made to the Commissioner by the mortgagee either in cash or debentures at par plus accrued interest.

(a) The Commissioner shall charge a one-time MIP pursuant to § 203.280 for mortgages that:

(1) Are insured pursuant to § 203.43(c) (if the mortgage to be refinanced was executed prior to July 1, 1991 and the new mortgage is executed on or after April 24, 1992); or insured pursuant to § 203.43i; or

(2)(i) Are obligations of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund under this part (except insured open-end advances as provided by § 203.270);

(ii) Are insured pursuant to: (A) An application for a conditional commitment received on or after September 1, 1983; or

(B) An application for mortgage insurance endorsement under the single family Direct Endorsement program as provided in § 203.255, where the property appraisal report is signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after September 1, 1983; and

(iii) Are executed before July 1, 1991.

(b) Except as provided in § 203.284(h) or § 203.285(d), the Commissioner shall charge an up-front MIP pursuant to § 203.284 or § 203.285 for mortgages executed on or after July 1, 1991 that are obligations of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. In the cases that the Commissioner deems appropriate, the Commissioner may require, by means of instructions communicated to all affected mortgages, that up-front MIP be remitted electronically.

(c) The periodic MIP provision of §§ 203.260 through 203.268 shall not apply to mortgages referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, nor shall they apply to mortgages to which the provision of § 203.284 or § 203.285 apply.

(a) Required charge. In the case of an insured open-end advance the mortgagee shall pay to the Commissioner an open-end insurance charge.

(b) Payment of charge for mortgages with periodic MIP. The amount of any insured open-end advance shall be added to the average outstanding principal obligation of the mortgage for the purpose of determining the amount of periodic MIP as provided in §§ 203.260 through 203.268, except that the initial additional charge shall be prorated to cover the period beginning with the first day of the month following the issuance of a certificate evidencing the insurance of the open-end advance and ending on the due date of the next MIP.

(c) Payment of charge for mortgages with one-time or up-front MIP. In the case of a mortgage with a one-time or up-front MIP pursuant to § 203.280, § 203.284, or § 203.285 of this part, the insurance charge shall be in an amount equal to 1/2 percent per annum of the outstanding principal obligation of the open-end advance. Sections 203.260 through 203.268 shall apply to the open-end charge on a mortgage with a one-time or up-front MIP, except that all references to amortization dates shall refer to amortization dates of the open-end advance, references to MIP shall refer to the open-end insurance charge, and references to outstanding principal obligation of the mortgage shall refer to outstanding principal obligation of the open-end advance.

(d) Method of payment—all mortgages. The payment of any open-end insurance charge under this subpart shall be made to the Commissioner by the mortgagee either in cash or debentures issued by the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund at par plus accrued interest.

For mortgages for which a one-time MIP is to be charged in accordance with § 203.259a, the mortgagee shall, within fifteen days of closing and as a condition to the endorsement of the mortgage for insurance, pay to the Commissioner for the account of the mortgagor, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner, a premium representing the total obligation for the insuring of the mortgage by the Commissioner.

(a) The applicable premium percentage determined under paragraph (b) of this section assumes, for purposes of calculation, that the entire amount of the one-time MIP is added to the loan amount. The amount of the one-time MIP shall be determined by multiplying the loan amount otherwise insurable under this part by the applicable premium percentage, subject to adjustment for the portion of the MIP, if any, that is not to be included in the insured mortgage.

(b)(1) The Commissioner shall determine the applicable premium percentage in accordance with sound financial and actuarial practice.

(2) Application of the premium percentage determined under paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall not result in a MIP in excess of an amount equivalent to 1 per centum per annum of the amount of the principal obligation of the mortgage outstanding at any time, without taking into account delinquent payments or prepayments.

(c) The applicable premium percentage will be published by notice at least annually in the Federal Register.

(a) Payment of one-time MIP is late if it is not received by HUD by the fifteenth day after closing. Late payment shall include a late charge of four percent of the amount of the MIP.

(b) If payment of the MIP is not received by HUD within 30 days after closing, the mortgagee will be charged additional late fees until payment is received at an interest rate set in conformity with the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual.

(a) The Commissioner shall provide for the refund to the mortgagor of a portion of the unearned MIP paid pursuant to § 203.280 if the contract of insurance covering the mortgage is terminated:

(1) By coveyance to one other than the Commissioner and a claim for the insurance benefits is not presented for payment (§ 203.315),

(2) By prepayment of the mortgage (§ 203.316), or

(3) By voluntary agreement with the approval of the Commissioner (§ 203.317).

(b) The Commissioner shall determine the amount of the premium refund by multiplying the amount the premium paid at the time the mortgage was insured by the applicable premium refund percentage for mortgages insured in the year the mortgage was endorsed for insurance. The Commissioner shall determine the applicable premium refund percentage for each year in an equitable manner and in accordance with sound financial and actuarial practice, taking into account: (1) Projected salaries and expenses, (2) prospective losses generated by insurance claims, and (3) expected future payments of premium refunds.

Except for insured mortgages with a term of 15 or fewer years executed on or after December 26, 1992, (see § 203.285 of this part), up-front and annual MIP will be calculated in accordance with this section.

(a) Permanent provisions. Any mortgage executed on or after October 1, 1994 that is an obligation of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) Up-Front. The Commissioner shall establish and collect a single premium payment in an amount not exceeding 2.25 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage.

(2) Annual. In addition to the premium under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Commissioner shall establish and collect annual premium payments in an amount not exceeding .50 percent of the remaining insured principal balance (excluding the portion of the remaining balance attributable to the premium collected under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) for the following periods:

(i) For any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) that is less than 90 percent of the appraised value of the property (as of the date of the mortgage is accepted for insurance), for the first 11 years of the mortgage term.

(ii) For any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) that is greater than or equal to 90 percent of the appraised value of the property (as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance), for the lesser of the mortgage term or the first 30 years of the mortgage term; except that, for any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) that is greater than 95 percent of the appraised value, the annual premium collected during the period determined under this clause shall be in an amount not exceeding 0.55 percent of the remaining insured principal balance (excluding the portion of the remaining balance attributable to the premium collected under paragraph (a)(1) of this section).

(b) Transition provisions. Mortgage insurance premiums on mortgages executed during fiscal years 1991 through 1994 that are obligations of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) 1991 and 1992. For mortgages executed during fiscal years 1991 and 1992, but after July 1, 1991, the Commissioner shall establish and collect the following premiums:

(i) Up-Front. A single premium payment in an amount equal to 3.80 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage.

(ii) Annual. In addition to the premium under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, annual premium payments in an amount equal to 0.50 percent of the remaining insured principal balance (excluding the portion of the remaining balance attributable to the premium collected under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section) for any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section) that is:

(A) Less than 90 percent of the appraised value of the property (as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance), for the first five years of the mortgage term;

(B) Greater than or equal to 90 percent of such value, but equal to or less than 95 percent of such value, for the first 12 years of the mortgage term; and

(C) Greater than 95 percent of such value, for the first 10 years of the mortgage term.

(2) 1993 and 1994. For mortgages executed during fiscal years 1993 and 1994, the Commissioner shall establish and collect the following premiums:

(i) Up-Front. A single premium payment in an amount not exceeding 3.00 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage.

(ii) Annual. In addition to the premium under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, annual premium payments in an amount not exceeding 0.50 percent of the remaining insured principal balance (excluding the portion of the remaining balance attributable to the premium collected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section) for any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section) that is:

(A) Less than 90 percent of the appraised value of the property (as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance), for the first seven years of the mortgage term:

(B) Greater than or equal to 90 percent of such value, but equal to or less than 95 percent of such value, for the first 12 years of the mortgage term; and

(C) Greater than 95 percent of such value, for the lesser of the mortgage term or the first 30 years of the mortgage term.

(c) Refunds. With respect to any mortgage subject to premiums under this section, the Commissioner shall refund all of the unearned premium charges paid on a mortgage upon termination of insurance by voluntary agreement or upon payment in full of the principal obligation of the mortgage before the maturity date.

(d)-(e) [Reserved]

(f) Applicability of other sections. The provisions of §§ 203.261, 203.262, 203.264, 203.265, 203.266, 203.267, 203.268, 203.269, 203.280, and 203.282 are applicable to mortgages subject to premiums under this section.

(g) Definition. As used in this section the term remaining insured principal balance means the average outstanding principal obligation of the mortgage for the first year of amortization, or for a 12-month period preceding a subsequent anniversary date of the beginning of amortization.

(h) Exception for streamline refinance. This section shall not apply to any mortgage insured pursuant to § 203.43(c) if the mortgage to be refinanced was executed before July 1, 1991 and the new mortgage is executed on or after April 24, 1992. This exception does not have the effect of exempting streamline refinancing mortgages from the requirement that a one-time MIP be paid in accordance with § 203.259a(a).

(a) Up Front. Any mortgage for a term of 15 or fewer years executed on or after December 26, 1992 that is an obligation of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund shall be subject to a single up-front premium payment, established and collected by the Commissioner in an amount not exceeding 2.0 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage. Upon termination of insurance by voluntary agreement, or upon payment in full of the principal obligation of the mortgage before the maturity date, the Commissioner shall refund all of the unearned premium charges paid on the mortgage pursuant to this paragraph (a).

(b) Annual. In addition to the premium under paragraph (a) of this section, the Commissioner shall establish and collect annual premium payments in amounts not exceeding the following percentages of the remaining insured principal balance (excluding the portion of the remaining balance attributable to the premium collected under paragraph (a) of this section) for the following periods:

(1) For any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a) of this section) that is less than 90 percent of the appraised value of the property (as of the date the mortgage is accepted for insurance), no annual premium will be charged.

(2) For any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a) of this section) that is greater than or equal to 90 percent of such value, but less than or equal to 95 percent of such value, an annual premium not exceeding .25 percent shall be collected for the first four years of the mortgage term.

(3) For any mortgage involving an original principal obligation (excluding any premium collected under paragraph (a) of this section) that is greater than 95 percent of such value, an annual premium not exceeding .25 percent shall be collected for the first eight years of the mortgage term.

(c) Applicability of certain provisions. The provisions of §§ 203.261, 203.262, 203.264, 203.265, 203.266, 203.267, 203.268, 203.269, 203.280, 203.282, 203.284(c), and 203.284(g) are applicable to mortgages subject to premiums under this section.

(d) Exception for streamline refinance. This section shall not apply to any mortgage insured pursuant to § 203.43(c) if the mortgage to be refinanced was executed before July 1, 1991 and the new mortgage is executed on or after December 26, 1992.

Notwithstanding any provision in the mortgage instrument, there shall be no adjusted mortgage insurance premium due the Commissioner on account of the prepayment of any mortgage on or after May 1, 1972.

Upon request by the mortgagor and mortgagee the Commissioner may terminate the insurance contract on any mortgage under this part covering a 1-to-4 family residence. The mortgagee shall cancel the insurance endorsement on the mortgage insurance certificate or note upon receipt of notice from the Commissioner that the contract of insurance is terminated. Notwithstanding any provision in a mortgage instrument, there shall be no voluntary termination charge due the Commissioner on account of the voluntary termination of any mortgage insurance contract where the request for termination is received by the Commissioner on or after May 1, 1972.

(a) For those mortgages to which the provisions of § 203.368 apply, the contract of insurance shall be terminated under the following circumstances:

(1) The mortgagee notifies the Commissioner that it will not convey title to the Commissioner and will not file a claim for the insurance benefits when:

(i) The mortgagee either acquires the property by any means, or

(ii) Acquires the property and gives such notice during the redemption period; or

(2) The mortgagee notifies the Commissioner that it will not file a claim for the insurance benefits when:

(i) The property is bid in and acquired at foreclosure by a party other than the mortgagee, or

(ii) After foreclosure of the mortgaged property by the mortgagee the property is redeemed.

(b) For those mortgages to which the provisions as set forth in § 203.368 do not apply, the contract of insurance shall be terminated under the following circumstances:

(1) The mortgagee acquires the mortgaged property but does not convey it to the Commissioner;

(2) The property is bid in and acquired at a foreclosure sale by a party other than the mortgagee;

(3) After foreclosure the property is redeemed;

(4) After foreclosure and during the redemption period the mortgagee gives notice that it will not tender the property to the Commissioner.

The contract of insurance shall be terminated if the mortgage is paid in full prior to its maturity.

The contract of insurance shall be terminated if the mortgagor and mortgagee jointly request termination.

No contract of insurance shall be terminated until the mortgagee has given written notice thereof to the Commissioner within 15 calendar days from the occurrence of one of the approved methods of termination set forth in this subpart.

No contract of insurance shall be terminated until the mortgagee has paid to the Commissioner the pro rata portion of the current annual MIP or open-end insurance charge as set forth in this subpart.

The Commissioner shall notify the mortgagee that the contract of insurance has been terminated and the effective termination date. The termination date shall be the last day of the month in which one of the following events has occurred:

(a)(1) For those mortgages to which the provisions of § 203.368 apply, the date foreclosure proceedings were instituted by the mortgagee, or the property was otherwise acquired by the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee (including the mortgagor or other party as redemptor) if the mortgagee notifies the Commissioner that title will not be conveyed to the Commissioner and a claim for the insurance benefits will not be presented for payment.

(2) For those mortgages to which the provisions of § 203.368 do not apply, the date foreclosure proceedings were instituted, or the property was otherwise acquired by the mortgagee, if the mortgagee notifies the Commissioner that title will not be conveyed to the Commissioner.

(b) The date the mortgage was prepaid in full.

(c) The date a voluntary termination request is received by the Commissioner.

Upon termination of the contract of insurance, the obligation to pay any subsequent periodic MIP or open-end insurance charge shall cease and all rights of the mortgagor and mortgagee shall be terminated, except as otherwise provided in this part.

A mortgage account is delinquent any time a payment is due and not paid. If the mortgagor fails to make any payment, or to perform any other obligation under the mortgage, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days, the mortgage shall be considered in default for the purposes of this part.

For the purposes of this subpart, the date of default shall be considered as 30 days after—

(a) The first uncorrected failure to perform any obligation under the mortgage; or

(b) The first failure to make a monthly payment which subsequent payments by the mortgagor are insufficient to cover when applied to the overdue monthly payments in the order in which they became due.

Once each month the mortgagee shall report or cause to be reported all mortgages insured under this part which are 90 or more days delinquent and concerning the status of all mortgages which were reported as 90 or more days delinquent the previous month. Such reports shall be made on a form approved by the Commissioner.

If after default and prior to the completion of foreclosure proceedings the mortgagor shall cure the default, the insurance shall continue as if a default had not occurred, provided the mortgagor pays to the mortgagee such expenses as the mortgagee has incurred in connection with the foreclosure proceedings and the mortgagee gives written notice of reinstatement to the Commissioner.

(a) If the conditions of § 203.614 are met and special forbearance relief is granted pursuant to that section, the contract of insurance shall continue in force except as otherwise provided in this subpart.

(b) The contract of insurance shall continue in force, except as otherwise provided in this subpart, when the conditions of this section which were effective prior to January 1, 1977, have been met and special forbearance relief is granted pursuant thereto prior to January 1, 1977.

If the conditions of § 203.371 are met and a partial claim is paid pursuant to that section, the contract of insurance shall continue in force, except as otherwise provided in this subpart.

If a mortgage is recast pursuant to § 203.616, the principal amount of the mortgage, as modified, shall be considered to be the “original principal balance of the mortgage” as that term is used in § 203.401.

(a) Except as provided in § 203.389(n), a mortgagee shall not release the security or any part thereof, while the mortgage is insured, without the prior consent of the Commissioner.

(b) A mortgagee may, with the prior consent of the Commissioner, accept an addition to, or substitution of, security for the purpose of removing the dwelling to a new lot under the following conditions:

(1) The mortgagee obtains a good and valid first lien on the property to which the dwelling is removed.

(2) All damages to the structure are repaired without cost to HUD.

(3) The property to which the dwelling is removed is in an area known to be reasonably free from natural hazards or, if in a flood zone, the mortgagor will insure or reinsure under the Federal Flood Insurance Program.

(c) A mortgagee may, without the prior consent of the Commissioner, accept an addition to, or substitution of, security for the purpose of removing the dwelling to a new lot under the following conditions.

(1) The dwelling has survived an earthquake or other disaster with little damage, but continued location on the property might be hazardous.

(2) The conditions stated in paragraph (b) of this section exist.

(3) Immediately following the emergency removal the mortgagee notifies the Commissioner of the reasons for removal.

In addition to the special forbearance relief afforded by §§ 203.340 through 203.342, if the mortgagor is a person in the military service (as defined in the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940), the mortgagee may, by written agreement with the mortgagor, postpone for the period of military service and three months thereafter any part of the monthly payment which represents amortization of principal. The agreement shall contain a provision for the resumption of monthly payments after such period in amounts which will completely amortize the mortgage debt within the maturity as provided in the original mortgage. The agreement shall in no way affect the amount of the annual MIP which will continue to be calculated in accordance with the original amortization provisions of the mortgage.

If at any time during default the mortgagor is a “Person in military service,” as such term is defined in the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, the period during which the mortgagor is in such service shall be excluded in computing the period within which the mortgagee shall commence foreclosure or acquire the property by other means as provided in § 203.355 of this subpart. No postponement or delay in the prosecution of foreclosure proceedings during the period the mortgagor is in such military service shall be construed as failure on the part of the mortgagee to exercise reasonable diligence in prosecuting such proceedings to completion as required by this subpart.

(a) Assignment of modified mortgages pursuant to section 230, National Housing Act. HUD may accept an assignment of any mortgage covering a one-to-four family residence if the following requirements are met:

(1) The mortgage was in default;

(2) The mortgagee has modified the mortgage under § 203.616 to cure the default and to provide for mortgage payments within the reasonable ability of the mortgagor to pay, at an interest rate not exceeding current market interest rates; and

(3) Such other conditions that HUD may prescribe, which may include the requirement that the mortgagee continue to be responsible for servicing the mortgage.

(b) Assignments pursuant to section 248, National Housing Act. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Commissioner shall, upon application by the mortgagee, approve the assignment to the Commissioner of any mortgage insured pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act (see § 203.43h) where the mortgagor has been in default for more than 90 days. The mortgagee may not request the Commissioner to accept an assignment until the mortgagee has submitted documents to the Commissioner showing that the requirements of § 203.604 have been met. HUD shall then notify the mortgagee of its approval of the mortgagee's actions under § 203.604 and that the mortgagee may assign the mortgage to the Secretary, or HUD will specify what further action the mortgagee must take to meet the requirements of § 203.604.

(c) Assignment of mortgages insured pursuant to section 247, National Housing Act. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary will, upon application by the mortgagee, agree to accept an assignment of any mortgage insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act (§ 203.43i of this part) where the mortgagor has been in default for more than 180 days, provided that the requirements of § 203.665 are satisfied.

(d) Assignment of mortgages authorized by section 203(q), National Housing Act. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary will, upon application by the mortgagee, agree to accept assignment of any mortgage authorized by section 203(q) of the National Housing Act (§ 203.43j of this part) if

(1) The mortgagor has been in default for more than 90 days for failure to make a monthly payment,

(2) The requirements of § 203.666 are satisfied, and

(3) The date of default occurs before the mortgagor and the lessor execute a lease renewal or a new lease with a term of not less than five years beyond the maturity date of the mortgage, or with a term established by an arbitration award.

(e) Filing assignment for record. Within 30 days of the Secretary's written agreement to accept assignment of a defaulted mortgage, or within such additional time as the Secretary authorizes in writing, the mortgagee must file the assignment for record.

On the date the assignment of the mortgage is filed for record, the mortgagee shall forward to the Commissioner the prescribed application for insurance benefits and fiscal data pertaining to the mortgage transaction, together with the receipts covering all disbursements, as required by the fiscal data form. In addition, the following requirements shall be met:

(a) Items to be included with application. The following items shall be forwarded to the Commissioner with the application:

(1) Credit and security instrument. The original credit and security instruments assigned without recourse or warranty, except that no act or omission of the mortgagee shall have impaired the validity and priority of the mortgage.

(2) Recorded assignment instrument. The original of the recorded assignment of mortgage. If the original of the assignment is not available, a copy shall be furnished and the original forwarded as soon as possible.

(3) Hazard insurance. All hazard insurance policies held in connection with the mortgaged property, together with a copy of the mortgagee's notification to the carrier authorizing the amendment of the loss payable clause substituting the Commissioner as the mortgagee.

(4) Rights and interests. An assignment of all rights and interests arising under the mortgage, and all claims of the mortgagee against the mortgagor or others arising out of the mortgage transaction.

(5) Property. All property of the mortgagor held by the mortgagee or to which it is entitled (other than the cash items which are to be retained by the mortgagee).

(6) Records and accounts. All records, ledger cards, documents, books, papers and accounts relating to the mortgage transaction.

(7) Additional information. Any additional information or data which the Commissioner may require.

(8) Title evidence. All title evidence held by the mortgagee. It need not be extended to include the recordation of the assignment. If a mortgagee's title policy is furnished, the Commissioner shall be a named insured under such policy.

(b) Items to be retained by mortgagee. The mortgagee shall retain all cash amounts held or deposited for the account of the mortgagor or to which it is entitled under the mortgage transaction that have not been applied in reduction of the principal mortgage indebtedness.

(c) Title evidence for mortgages insured under § 203.43d as set forth in § 203.385 shall accompany the application for insurance benefits.

At the time of assignment of the mortgage, the mortgagee shall certify to the Commissioner that:

(a) Priority of mortgage to liens. The mortgage is prior to all mechanics’ and materialmen's liens filed of record, regardless of when such liens attach, and prior to all liens and encumbrances, or defects which may arise except such liens or other matters as may have been approved by the Commissioner;

(b) Amount due. The amount stated in the instrument of assignment is actually due and owing under the mortgage;

(c) Offsets or counterclaims. There are no offsets or counterclaims thereto and the mortgagee has a good right to assign.

(a) In general. Upon default of a mortgage, except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section, the mortgagee shall take one of the following actions within nine months from the date of default, or within any additional time approved by the Secretary or authorized by §§ 203.345 or 203.346. For mortgages where the date of default is on or after February 1, 1998, the mortgagee shall take one or a combination of the following actions within six months of the date of default or within such additional time approved by HUD or authorized by §§ 203.345 or 203.346:

(1) Obtain a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (see §§ 203.357, 203.389 and 203.402(f) of this part) with title being taken in the name of the mortgagee or the Secretary;

(2) Commence foreclosure;

(3) Enter into a special forbearance agreement under § 203.614;

(4) Complete a modification of the mortgage under § 203.616;

(5) Complete a refinance of the mortgage under § 203.43(c);

(6) Complete an assumption under § 203.512;

(7) File a partial claim under § 203.371; or

(8) Initiate a pre-foreclosure sale under § 203.370.

(b) Vacant or abandoned property. With respect to defaulted mortgages on vacant or abandoned property, if the mortgagee discovers, or should have discovered, that the property is vacant or abandoned, the mortgagee must commence foreclosure within the later of 120 days after the date the property became vacant, or 60 days after the date the property is discovered, or should have been discovered, to be vacant or abandoned; but no later than the number of months from the date of default as provided in paragraph (a) of this section. The mortgagee must not delay foreclosure on vacant or abandoned property because of the requirements of § 203.606.

(c) Prohibition of foreclosure within time limits. If the laws of the State in which the mortgaged property is located, or Federal bankruptcy law:

(1) Do not permit the commencement of foreclosure within the time limits described in paragraphs (a), (b), (g), (h) and (i) of this section, the mortgagee must commence foreclosure within 90 days after the expiration of the time during which foreclosure is prohibited; or

(2) Require the prosecution of a foreclosure to be discontinued, the mortgagee must recommence the foreclosure within 90 days after the expiration of the time during which foreclosure is prohibited.

(d) Property located on Indian land. Upon default of a mortgage on property located on Indian land insured pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act (see § 203.43h of this part), the mortgagee must comply with §§ 203.350(b) and 204.664 of this part.

(e) Property located on Hawaiian home lands. Upon default of a mortgage on property located on Hawaiian home lands insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act (see § 203.43i of this part), the mortgagee must comply with §§ 203.350(c) and 203.665 of this part.

(f) Property located on the Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Upon default of a mortgage on property located on the Allegany Reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians authorized by section 203(q) of the National Housing Act (see § 203.43j of this part), the mortgagee must comply with §§ 203.350(d) and 203.666 of this part, unless the mortgagor and the lessor have executed a lease renewal or a new lease either with a term of not less than five years beyond the maturity date of the mortgage, or with a term established by arbitration award. If a lease renewal or new lease has been executed, the mortgagee must comply with paragraph (a) of this section.

(g) Pre-foreclosure sale procedure. Within 90 days of the end of a mortgagor's participation in the pre-foreclosure sale procedure, or within the time limit described in paragraph (a) of this section, whichever is later, if no closing of an approved pre-foreclosure sale has occurred, the mortgagee must obtain a deed in lieu of foreclosure, with title being taken in the name of the mortgagee or the Secretary, or undertake one of the actions listed at § 203.355(a). The end-of-participation date is defined as:

(1) Four months after the date of commencement of participation, if there is no signed Contract of Sale at that time, unless extended by the Commissioner;

(2) Six months after the date of commencement of participation, if there is a signed contract but settlement has not occurred by that date, unless extended by the Commissioner;

(3) The date the mortgagee is notified of the mortgagor's withdrawal from the Pre-foreclosure Sale procedure; or

(4) The date of the letter sent by the mortgagee to the mortgagor prior to the expiration of the customary participation period, terminating the mortgagor's opportunity to participate in the Pre-foreclosure Sale procedure.

(h) Special forbearance. If the mortgagor fails to meet the requirements of a special forbearance under § 203.614 and the failure continues for 60 days, the mortgagee must undertake one of the actions listed at § 203.355(a) within the time limit described in paragraph (a) of this section or 90 days after the mortgagor's failure to meet the special forbearance requirements, whichever is later.

(i) Modification under § 203.616, refinance under § 203.43(c), or assumption under § 203.512. Provided that the mortgagee has established the mortgagor's eligibility within the time frame provided in § 203.355(a), if a mortgagee enters into a loss mitigation relief measure (i.e., modification under § 203.616, refinance under § 203.43(c), or assumption under § 203.512) and it fails, the six-month period provided in § 203.355(a) is extended by an additional 90 days to allow the mortgagee to try another loss mitigation tool or go to foreclosure.

(a) Mortgagors owning one property. In lieu of instituting or completing a foreclosure, the mortgagee may acquire property from one other than a corporate mortgagor by voluntary conveyance from the mortgagor who certifies that he does not own any other property subject to a mortgage insured or held by FHA. Conveyance of the property by deed in lieu of foreclosure is approved subject to the following requirements:

(1) The mortgage is in default at the time the deed is executed and delivered;

(2) The credit instrument is cancelled and surrendered to the mortgagor;

(3) The mortgage is satisfied of record as a part of the consideration for such conveyance;

(4) The deed from the mortgagor contains a covenant which warrants against the acts of the grantor and all claiming by, through, or under him and conveys good marketable title;

(5) The mortgagee transfers to the Commissioner good marketable title accompanied by satisfactory title evidence.

(b) Corporate mortgagors. A mortgagee may accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure from a corporate mortgagor in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, if the mortgagee obtains the prior written consent of the Commissioner.

(c) Mortgagors owning more than one property. The mortgagee may accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, from an individual who owns more than one property which is subject to a mortgage insured or held by the FHA if the mortgagee obtains the prior written consent of the Commissioner.

In acquiring the property or conveying the property to the Commissioner the mortgagee may arrange for the deed to be made directly to the Commissioner from the mortgagor or other grantor. The mortgagee shall be responsible for determining that such conveyance will comply with all of the provisions of this part conveying good marketable title and satisfactory title evidence.

(a) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued prior to November 19, 1992 or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's approved underwriter prior to November 19, 1992. After acquiring good marketable title to and possession of the property the mortgagee must transfer the property to the Secretary:

(1) Within 30 days after acquiring possession of the mortgaged property by foreclosure or other means; or

(2) Within such further time as may be necessary to complete the title examination and perfect the title.

(b) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992—(1) Conveyance by the mortgagee. The mortgagee must acquire good marketable title and transfer the property to the Secretary within 30 days of the later of:

(i) Filing for record the foreclosure deed;

(ii) Recording date of deed in lieu of foreclosure;

(iii) Acquiring possession of the property;

(iv) Expiration of the redemption period; or

(v) Such further time as the Secretary may approve in writing.

(2) Direct conveyance. In cases where the mortgagee arranges for a direct conveyance of the property to the Secretary, the mortgagee must ensure that the property is transferred to the Secretary within 30 days of the reasonable diligence time frame specified in § 203.356 of this part.

(a) On the date the deed is filed for record the mortgagee shall notify the Commissioner on a form prescribed by him of the filing of such conveyance and shall assign, without recourse or warranty any or all claims which the mortgagee has acquired in connection with the mortgage transaction, and as a result of the foreclosure proceedings or other means by which the mortgagee acquired or conveyed such property, except such claims as may have been released with the approval of the Commissioner.

(b) Within 30 days of the closing of an approved pre-foreclosure sale, the mortgagee shall notify the Commissioner on a form prescribed by him of the pre-foreclosure sale.

Upon receipt of notice of property transfer the Commissioner shall accept title to and possession of the property as of the date of the filing for record of the deed to the Commissioner, subject to compliance with the regulations in this part.

With the consent of the Commissioner, a mortgagee may withdraw an application for insurance benefits if the mortgagee agrees that it will:

(a) Accept a reconveyance of the property under a deed which warrants against the acts of the Commissioner and all claiming by, through, or under him; and

(b) Promptly file a reconveyance for record; and

(c) Accept without continuation the title evidence which it furnished the Commissioner; and

(d) Reimburse the Commissioner for property expenditures as set forth in § 203.364.

(a) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued prior to November 19, 1992 or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's approved underwriter prior to November 19, 1992. If, for any reason, the mortgagee fails to comply with the regulations in this subpart, the Secretary may hold processing of the application for insurance benefits in abeyance for a reasonable time in order to permit the mortgagee to comply, or, in the alternative, the Secretary may reconvey title to the property to the mortgagee, in which event the application for insurance benefits shall be considered as cancelled without prejudice to the rights of the mortgagee to reapply for insurance benefits at a subsequent date.

(b) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992. If, for any reason, the mortgagee fails to comply with the regulations in this subpart, the Secretary may hold processing of the application for insurance benefits in abeyance for a reasonable time in order to permit the mortgagee to comply. In the alternative to holding processing in abeyance, the Secretary may reconvey title to the property to the mortgagee, in which event the application for insurance benefits shall be considered as cancelled and the mortgagee shall refund the insurance benefits to the Secretary as well as other funds required by § 203.364 of this part. The mortgagee may reapply for insurance benefits at a subsequent date; provided, however, that the mortgagee may not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with the property after it has been reconveyed by the Secretary, or paid any debenture interest accrued after the date of initial conveyance or after the date conveyance was required by § 203.359 of this part, whichever is earlier, and there will be deducted from the insurance benefits any reduction in the Secretary's estimate of the value of the property occurring from the time of reconveyance to the time of reapplication.

Where the Secretary acquires a property and thereafter it becomes necessary for the Secretary to reconvey the property to the mortgagee due to the mortgagee's noncompliance with these regulations or the application for insurance benefits is withdrawn with the consent of the Secretary, the mortgagee shall reimburse the Secretary for all expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition and reconveyance. The reimbursement shall include interest on the amount of insurance benefits refunded by the mortgagee from the date the insurance benefits were paid to the date of refund at an interest rate set in conformity with the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual, and the Secretary's cost of holding the property, accruing on a daily basis, from the date the deed to the Secretary was filed for record to the date of reconveyance. These costs are based on the Secretary's estimate of the taxes, maintenance and operating expenses of the property, and administrative expenses. Appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Secretary on account of any income received from the property.

(a) Items to be furnished the Secretary. Within 45 days after the deed is filed for record, in the case of a conveyance claim; or, in the case of a claim arising from a pre-foreclosure sale, within 30 days after the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale, unless extended by the Commissioner, the mortgagee must forward to the Secretary:

(1) A copy of the deed to the Secretary that has been filed for record and the title evidence continued so as to include recordation of the deed; or evidence, as prescribed by the Secretary, of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale.

(2) Fiscal data pertaining to the mortgage transaction.

(3) Any additional information or data that the Secretary may require.

(b) Items to be retained by mortgagee. The mortgagee must retain all cash amounts, held or deposited for the account of the mortgagor or to which it is entitled under the mortgage transaction, that have not been applied in reduction of the principal mortgage indebtedness.

(c) Claim file to be maintained by mortgagee. (1) The Secretary may verify the accuracy of information regarding the insurance claim either before payment of the claim or after payment by periodic reviews of the mortgagee's records. Mortgagees must reimburse the Secretary for any claim and interest overpaid because of incorrect, unsupported, or inappropriate information provided by the mortgagee, or because of failure to provide correct information.

(2) Mortgagees must maintain a claim file containing documentation supporting all information submitted for claim payment for at least three years after a claim has been paid. All claim files for claims paid during a period relating to an unresolved or ongoing claim review must be maintained until final resolution of such review. Information to be maintained in the claim file includes receipts covering all disbursements as required by the fiscal data form, ledger cards covering the mortgage transaction, and any additional information or data relevant to the mortgage transaction or insurance claim.

(3) The Secretary may review any claim file at any time during the three-year period after the claim has been paid. Denial of access to any files will be grounds for withdrawal of the mortgagee's approved lender status, debarment by the Secretary, or immediate suspension of all claim payments.

(4) Within 24 hours of a request by the Secretary, a mortgagee must make available for review, or forward to the Secretary, hard copies of identified claim files.

(d) Statistical sampling. HUD may use statistical sampling in selecting claims to be reviewed and in determining the amount due the Secretary because of overpayment.

(a) Satisfactory conveyance of title and transfer of possession. The mortgagee shall tender to the Commissioner a satisfactory conveyance of title and transfer of possession of the property. The deed or other instrument of conveyance shall convey good marketable title to the property, which shall be accompanied by title evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner.

(b) Conveyance of property without good marketable title. (1) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992, if the title to the property conveyed by the mortgagee to the Secretary is not good and marketable, the mortgagee must correct any title defect within 60 days after receiving notice from the Secretary, or within such further time as the Secretary may approve in writing.

(2) If the defect is not corrected within 60 days, or such further time as the Secretary approves in writing, the mortgagee must reimburse the Secretary for HUD's costs of holding the property, accruing on a daily basis, and interest on the amount of insurance benefits paid to the mortgagee at an interest rate set in conformity with the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual from the date of such notice to the date the defect is corrected or until the Secretary reconveys the property to the mortgagee, as described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The daily holding costs to be charged a mortgagee shall include the costs specified in § 203.364 of this part.

(3) If the title defect is not corrected within a reasonable time, as determined by HUD, the Secretary will, after notice, reconvey the property to the mortgagee and the mortgagee must reimburse the Secretary in accordance with §§ 203.363 and 203.364 of this part.

The deed and supporting accompanying documents shall be as follows:

(a) Deed. A deed conveying the property to the Federal Housing Commissioner. The deed shall:

(1) Contain covenants which warrant title against acts of the grantor, and all claiming by, through, or under said grantor, if the grantor is the mortgagee or mortgagor; if the grantor is a party other than the mortgagee or mortgagor, the special warranty covenants may be limited or amended to accord with the law of the particular jurisdiction.

(2) Recite nominal consideration, if such recital is adequate under the laws of the State in which the property is located or such other consideration as may be necessary to support the deed.

(b) Maps or survey. A map or diagram showing property location with reference to public streets or roads or a survey, if available. When a part of the property has been taken by condemnation proceedings or conveyance in lieu of condemnation, a map or diagram showing the part taken and the property remaining is required.

(c) Credit documents. The original credit and security instruments, if available or a deficiency judgment, if any, duly assigned or endorsed by the mortgagee, without recourse, to the Commissioner.

(a)(1) The requirements of this section apply to any insured mortgage subject to this subpart which was either insured pursuant to:

(i) A conditional commitment issued on or after November 30, 1983 or, as appropriate,

(ii) An application for mortgage insurance endorsement under the Single Family Direct Endorsement Program, as provided in § 203.255(b), where the property appraisal report was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 30, 1983.

(2) The requirements of this section shall also apply to any other mortgages subject to this subpart where the mortgagee elects to provide the notice to HUD required by paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the requirements of this section do not apply if the mortgaged property has been damaged as set out in § 203.378.

(c) Nothing in this section shall affect any rights or obligations arising under the procedures set forth in subpart C of this part.

(d) After initiating proceedings to foreclose an insured mortgage within the coverage of paragraph (a)(1) of this section by judicial, statutory, or other means authorized by the mortgage instrument, the mortgagee shall furnish notice of the foreclosure to the Commissioner, containing such information as shall be prescribed by the Commissioner, together with a copy of the notice of sale, on or before the date of first publication, posting, or other notice. The mortgagee foreclosing an insured mortgage subject to this subpart and within the coverage of paragraph (a)(2) of this section may elect to become subject to this section by providing such notices to the Commissioner in accordance with the preceding sentence.

(e) Where notice of the foreclosure sale is provided pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, the Commissioner may elect to cause the mortgaged property to be appraised and to give written notice to the mortgagee, not less than five days prior to the date of the foreclosure sale, of the Commissioner's estimate of the fair market value of the mortgaged property, less adjustments as the Commissioner may deem appropriate (which may include, without limitation, the Commissioner's estimate of holding costs and resale costs that would be incurred if title to the mortgaged property were conveyed to the Commissioner). Such amount is referred to hereafter as the “Commissioner's adjusted fair market value.”

(f) If the Commissioner fails to provide notice of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value to the mortgagee not less than five days prior to the scheduled date of foreclosure sale, this section shall have no further application and §§ 203.355 through 203.367 shall apply: Provided, that a mortgagee which receives the Commissioner's notice at any time prior to the foreclosure sale may waive late receipt by so notifying the Commissioner, in which case this section shall apply.

(g) If the Commissioner provides notice of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section the following shall be applicable:

(1) The mortgagee shall tender a bid at the foreclosure sale in the amount of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value.

(2) If the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property pursuant to a bid at foreclosure sale in an amount equal to the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, the mortgagee may elect to retain title to the property and to file a claim for the insurance benefits computed as provided in § 203.401(b).

(3) If a party other than the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property either pursuant to a bid at foreclosure sale or through the redemption of the property in an amount not less than the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, the mortgagee may file a claim for the insurance benefits computed as provided in § 203.401(b).

(4) If the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property pursuant to a bid at foreclosure sale in an amount in excess of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, the mortgagee is deemed to have elected to retain title to the property and is limited to filing a claim for the insurance benefits computed as provided in § 203.401(b). In the event the mortgagee can show good cause for having bid an amount in excess of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, waive the provisions of this subparagraph and allow the mortgagee to convey title to the Commissioner and file a claim for the insurance benefits computed as provided in § 203.401(a). A mortgagee which has elected to follow the provisions of this section pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section and bids an amount in excess of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value shall not be subject to the provisions of this subparagraph, and may elect to retain or convey title in filing a claim for the insurance benefits.

(5) In any other case, the mortgagee may file a claim for insurance benefits only upon conveyance of title to the mortgaged property to the Commissioner.

(h) If the Commissioner provides timely notice of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value in accordance with paragraph (e), the Commissioner may require the mortgagee to advertise the upcoming sale in addition to the standard legal notices which may be required by state law.

(i) Where a mortgagee files a claim for the insurance benefits without conveying title to the property to the Commissioner, as authorized by this section:

(1) Sections 203.358 through 203.367 shall not be applicable.

(2) The mortgagee shall assign to the Commissioner, without recourse or warranty, any or all claims which the mortgagee has acquired in connection with the mortgage transaction and as a result of the foreclosure proceedings or other means by which the mortgagee or party other than the mortgagee acquired such property, except such claims as may have been released with the approval of the Commissioner.

(3) The mortgagee shall forward to the Commissioner:

(i) Fiscal data pertaining to the mortgage transaction;

(ii) The original credit and security instruments, if available, or a deficiency judgment, if any, duly assigned or endorsed by the mortgagee, without recourse, to the Commissioner; and

(iii) Any additional information or data which the Commissioner may require.

(4) The mortgagee shall retain all cash amounts held or deposited for the account of the mortgagor or to which the mortgagee is entitled under the mortgage transaction that have not been applied in reduction of the principal mortgage indebtedness. Cash amounts shall be itemized and deducted from the claim pursuant to § 203.403. Receipts for disbursements are to be retained by the mortgagee and are to be made available upon request by the Commissioner.

(5) The mortgagee shall file its claim:

(i) Within 30 days after the mortgagee acquired good marketable title to the property; or

(ii) Within 30 days after a party other than the mortgagee acquired good marketable title to the property; or

(iii) In redemption States, within 30 days after the mortgagor or another party redeemed the property or the redemption period has expired; or

(iv) Within such other time as may be determined by the Commissioner.

(6) In any case in which the insurance benefits paid include, pursuant to § 203.402(c), hazard insurance premiums paid by the mortgagee, the portion of the hazard insurance premium allocable to the period after acquisition of title by the mortgagee or a third party shall be deducted from the mortgage insurance benefits otherwise payable.

(a) Mortgages insured on or after March 28, 1988. (1) For mortgages insured pursuant to firm commitments issued on or after March 28, 1988, or pursuant to direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after March 28, 1988, the Secretary may require the mortgagee diligently to pursue a deficiency judgment in connection with any foreclosure. With respect to claims filed for insurance benefits on such mortgages, any judgment obtained by the mortgagee must be assigned to the Secretary.

(2) In cases where the Secretary requires the pursuit of a deficiency judgment and provides the mortgagee with the Secretary's estimate of the fair market value of the property, less adjustments, in accordance with § 203.368(e) of this part, the mortgagee must tender a bid at the foreclosure sale in that amount, and must take all other appropriate steps in accordance with State law to obtain a deficiency judgment.

(b) Mortgages insured before March 28, 1988. For mortgages insured pursuant to firm commitments issued before March 28, 1988, or pursuant to direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter before March 28, 1988, the Secretary may request that the mortgage diligently pursue a deficiency judgment in connection with the foreclosure. With respect to claims filed for insurance benefits on such mortgages, any judgment obtained by the mortgagee must be assigned to the Secretary.

(c) In cases where pursuit of a deficiency judgment is requested or required under this section, the Commissioner, where the Commissioner determines it appropriate under State law requirements, may extend the otherwise applicable period of time within which a deficiency judgment (and other claims against the mortgagor) and related credit documents must be assigned to the Commissioner under § 203.360, § 203.367 or § 203.368 of this subpart.

(d) In addition to meeting the requirements of § 203.356, in cases where the Commissioner determines it necessary because of State law requirements, the Commissioner may also require (or request, as the Commissioner may determine) the mortgagee to provide the Commissioner with notice of the mortgagee's intent to institute foreclosure proceedings a reasonable amount of time before proceedings are instituted, in order that the Commissioner may be able effectively to require or request the mortgagee, in appropriate cases, to seek a deficiency judgment.

(a) General. HUD will pay FHA insurance benefits to mortgagees in cases where, in accordance with all regulations and procedures applicable to pre-foreclosure sales, the mortgaged property is sold by the mortgagor, after default and prior to foreclosure, at its current fair market value (less adjustments as the Commissioner may deem appropriate) but for less than the mortgage loan amount currently outstanding.

(b) Notification of mortgagor. The mortgagee shall give notice, according to prescribed procedures, of the opportunity to be considered for the pre-foreclosure sale procedure to each mortgagor in default. All notices to mortgagors must be in an accessible format, if requested, or if required by the person's known disability, as required by 24 CFR part 9.

(c) Eligibility for the Pre-foreclosure Sale Procedure. In order to be considered for the pre-foreclosure sale procedure, a mortgagor:

(1) Must be an owner occupant in a single family residence that is security for a mortgage insured under this part, unless otherwise prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) Must have an account in default, for such period as determined by the Secretary, which default is the result of an adverse and unavoidable financial situation.

(3) Must have, at the time application is made to pursue a pre-foreclosure sale, a mortgaged property whose current fair market value, compared to the amount needed to discharge the mortgage, meets the criterion established by the Secretary, unless a variance is granted by the Secretary.

(4) Must have received homeownership counseling, as defined by the Secretary, and have executed a certification to that effect.

(a) General. Notwithstanding the conveyance, sale or assignment requirements for payment of a claim elsewhere in this part, HUD will pay partial FHA insurance benefits to mortgagees after a period of forbearance, the maximum length of which HUD will prescribe, and in accordance with this section.

(b) Requirements. The following conditions must be met for payment of a partial claim:

(1) The mortgagor has been delinquent for at least 4 months or such other time prescribed by HUD;

(2) The amount of the arrearage has not exceeded the equivalent of 12 monthly mortgage payments;

(3) The mortgagor is able to resume making full monthly mortgage payments;

(4) The mortgagor is not financially able to make sufficient additional payments to repay the arrearage within a time specified by HUD; and

(5) The mortgagor is not financially qualified to support monthly mortgage payments on a modified mortgage or on a refinanced mortgage in which the total arrearage is included.

(c) Repayment of the subordinate lien. The mortgagor must execute a mortgage in favor of HUD with terms and conditions acceptable to HUD for the amount of the partial claim under § 203.414(a). HUD may require the mortgagee to be responsible for servicing the subordinate mortgage on behalf of HUD.

(d) Application for insurance benefits. Along with the prescribed application for partial claim insurance benefits, the mortgagee shall forward to HUD the original credit and security instruments required by paragraph (c) of this section.

The mortgagee, upon learning that a property subject to a mortgage insured under this part is vacant or abandoned, shall be responsible for the inspection of such property at least monthly, if the loan thereon is in default. When a mortgage is in default and a payment thereon is not received within 45 days of the due date, and efforts to reach the mortgagor by telephone within that period have been unsuccessful, the mortgagee shall be responsible for a visual inspection of the security property to determine whether the property is vacant. The mortgagee shall take reasonable action to protect and preserve such security property when it is determined or should have been determined to be vacant or abandoned until its conveyance to the Secretary, if such action does not constitute an illegal trespass. “Reasonable action” includes the commencement of foreclosure within the time required by § 203.355(b) of this part.

(a) Condition at time of transfer. When the property is transferred, or a mortgage is assigned to the Commissioner, the property shall be undamaged by fire, earthquake, flood, or tornado, except as set forth in this subpart.

(b) Damage to property by waste. The mortgagee shall not be liable for damage to the property by waste committed by the mortgagor, its heirs, successors or assigns in connection with mortgage insurance claims paid on or after July 2, 1968.

(c) Mortgagee responsibility. The mortgagee shall be responsible for:

(1) Damage by fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, or tornado;

(2) Damage to or destruction of security properties on which the loans are in default and which properties are vacant or abandoned, when such damage or destruction is due to the mortgagee's failure to take reasonable action to inspect, protect and preserve such properties as required by § 203.377 of this part, as to all mortgages insured on or after January 1, 1977; and

(3) As to all mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992, any damage of whatsoever nature that the property has sustained while in the possession of the mortgage if the property is conveyed to the Secretary without notice to and approval by the Secretary as required by § 203.379 of this part.

(d) Limitation. The mortgagee's responsibility for property damage shall not exceed the amount of its insurance claim as to a particular property.

(a) If the property has been damaged by fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, or tornado, or, for mortgages insured on or after January 1, 1977, the property has suffered damage because of the mortgagee's failure to take action as required by § 203.377, the damage must be repaired before conveyance of the property or assignment of the mortgage to the Secretary, except under the following conditions:

(1) If the prior approval of the Secretary is obtained, there will be deducted from the insurance benefits the Secretary's estimate of the cost of repairing the damage or any insurance recovery received by the mortgagee, whichever is greater.

(2) If the property has been damaged by fire and was not covered by fire insurance at the time of the damage, or the amount of insurance coverage was inadequate to repair fully the damage, only the amount of insurance recovery received by the mortgagee, if any, will be deducted from the insurance benefits, provided the mortgagee certifies, at the time that a claim is filed for insurance benefits, that:

(i) At the time the mortgage was insured, the property was covered by fire insurance in an amount at least equal to the lesser of 100 percent of the insurable value of the improvements, or the principal loan balance of the mortgage; and

(ii) The insurer later cancelled this coverage or refused to renew it for reasons other than nonpayment of premium; and

(iii) The mortgagee made diligent though unsuccessful efforts within 30 days of any cancellation or non-renewal of hazard insurance, and at least annually thereafter, to secure other coverage or coverage under a FAIR Plan, in an amount described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, or if coverage to such an extent was unavailable at a reasonable rate, the greatest extent of coverage that was available at a reasonable rate; and

(iv) The extent of coverage obtained by the mortgagee in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section was the greatest available at a reasonable rate, or if the mortgagee was unable to obtain insurance, none was available at a reasonable rate; and

(v) The mortgagee took the actions required by § 203.377 of this part.

(3) The certification requirements set out in paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply to any mortgage insured by HUD on or after September 22, 1980, for which a claim has not been filed before September 30, 1986. Any mortgage insured on or after September 22, 1980, for which a claim has been filed before September 30, 1986, but the claim has not been settled before that date, will be governed by § 203.379(b) (1986) Edition as it existed immediately before September 30, 1986.

(4)(i) As used in this section, reasonable rate means a rate that is not in excess of the rate or advisory rate set by the principal State-licensed rating organization for essential property insurance in the voluntary market, or if coverage is available under a FAIR Plan, the FAIR Plan rate.

(ii) If a State has neither a FAIR Plan nor a State-licensed rating organization for essential property insurance in the voluntary market, the mortgagee must provide to the HUD Field Office having jurisdiction, information concerning the lowest rates available from an insurer for the types of coverage involved, with a request for a determination of whether the rate is reasonable. HUD will determine the rate to be reasonable if it approximates the rate assessed for comparable insurance coverage applicable to similarly situated properties in a State that offers a FAIR Plan or maintains a State-licensed rating organization.

(b) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992, the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section apply and, in addition, if the property has been damaged during the time of the mortgagee's possession by events other than fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, or tornado, or if it was damaged notwithstanding reasonable action by the mortgagee as required by § 203.377 of this part, the mortgagee must provide notice of such damage to the Secretary and may not convey until directed to do so by the Secretary. The Secretary will either:

(1) Allow the mortgagee to convey the property damaged; or

(2) Require the mortgagee to repair the damage before conveyance, and the Secretary will reimburse the mortgagee for reasonable payments not in excess of the Secretary's estimate of the cost of repair, less any insurance recovery.

(c) In the event the damaged property is conveyed to the Secretary without prior notice or approval as provided in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, the Secretary may:

(1) After notice, reconvey the property to the mortgagee and the mortgagee must reimburse the Secretary in accordance with §§ 203.363 and 203.364 of this part, or

(2) Require the mortgagee to reimburse the Secretary for the greater of the Secretary's estimate of the cost of repair or any insurance recovery.

(a) The mortgagee shall either:

(1) Certify that as of the date of the filing of deed for record, or assignment of the mortgage to the Secretary, the property was:

(i) Undamaged by fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane or tornado; and

(ii) As to mortgages insured or for which commitments to insure were issued on or after January 2, 1977, undamaged due to failure of the mortgagee to take action as required by § 203.377; and

(iii) As to mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992, undamaged while the property was in the possession of the mortgage; or

(2) Attach to its claim a copy of the Secretary's authorization to convey the property in damaged condition.

(b) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the mortgagee's certificate or description of the damage shall be accepted by the Secretary as establishing the condition of the property, as of the date of the filing of the deed or assignment of the mortgage.

The mortgagee shall certify that the property is vacant and contains no personal property as of the date of filing for record of the deed to the Secretary or that the Secretary has consented to accept the property occupied.

The mortgagee shall cancel any hazard insurance policy as of the date of the filing for record of the deed to the Commissioner subject to the following conditions:

(a) The amount of the return premium due the mortgagee because of such cancellation may be calculated on a “short-rate” basis and reported on fiscal data supporting the application for debentures and the amount shall be deducted from the total amount claimed.

(b) If the mortgagee's calculation of the return premium is less than the actual return, the amount of the difference between the actual refund and the calculated amount shall be remitted to the Commissioner, accompanied by the carrier's or agent's statement.

(c) If the mortgagee's calculation of the return premium is more than the actual return, the mortgagee may file with the Commissioner a claim, supported by the carrier's or agent's statement of the amount of the refund, whereupon the Commissioner shall issue a check to the mortgagee in settlement of the claim.

The following types of title evidence shall be satisfactory to the Commissioner:

(a) Fee or owner's title policy. A fee or owner's policy of title insurance, a guaranty or guarantee of title, or a certificate of title, issued by a title company, duly authorized by law and qualified by experience to issue such instruments. If an owner's policy of title insurance is furnished, it shall show title in the Commissioner and inure to the benefit of his successors in office.

(b) Mortgagee's policy of title insurance. A mortgagee's policy of title insurance supplemented by an Abstract and an Attorney's Certificate of Title covering the period subsequent to the date of the mortgage, the terms of the policy shall be such that the liability of the title company will continue in favor of the Commissioner after title is conveyed to him. The policy may be drawn in favor of the mortgagee and the Federal Housing Commissioner, “as their interests may appear”, with the consent of the title company endorsed thereon;

(c) Abstract and legal opinion. An abstract of title prepared by an abstract company or individual engaged in the business of preparing abstracts of title and accompanied by the legal opinion as to the quality of such title signed by an attorney at law experienced in examination of titles. If title evidence consists of an Abstract and an Attorney's Certificate of Title, the search shall extend for at least forty years prior to the date of the Certificate to a well recognized source of good title;

(d) Torrens of similar certificate. A Torrens or similar title certificate; or

(e) Title standard of U.S. or State government. Evidence of title conforming to the standards of a supervising branch of the Government of the United States or of any State or Territory thereof.

Evidence of title shall be executed as of a date to include the recordation of the deed to the Commissioner. The evidence of title shall show that according to the public records, there are not, at such date, any outstanding prior liens, including any past-due and unpaid ground rents, general taxes or special assessments.

If the title and title evidence are such as to be acceptable to prudent lending institutions and leading attorneys generally in the community in which the property is situated, such title and title evidence shall be satisfactory to the Secretary and shall be considered as good and marketable. In cases of disagreement, the Secretary will make the final decision.

The Commissioner shall not object to title by reason of the following matters:

(a) Violations of a restriction based on race, color or creed, even where such restriction provides for a penalty of reversion or forfeiture of title or a lien for liquidated damage.

(b)(1) Customary easements for public utilities, party walls, driveways, and other purposes.

(2) Easements for public utilities along one or more of the property lines and extending not more than 10 feet therefrom and for drainage or irrigation ditches along the rear 10 feet of the property, provided the exercise of the rights thereunder do not interfere with any of the buildings or improvements located on the subject property.

(c) Easements for underground conduits which are in place and do not extend under any buildings on the subject property;

(d) Mutual easements for joint driveways constructed partly on the subject property and partly on adjoining property, provided the agreements creating such easements are of record;

(e) Encroachments on the subject property by improvements on adjoining property where such encroachments do not exceed 1 foot, provided such encroachments do not touch any buildings or interfere with the use of any improvements on the subject property;

(f) Encroachments on adjoining property by eaves and overhanging projections attached to improvements on subject property where such encroachments do not exceed 1 foot.

(g) Encroachments on adjoining property by hedges, wooden or wire fences belonging to the subject property;

(h) Encroachments on adjoining property by driveways belonging to subject property where such encroachments do not exceed 1 foot, provided there exists a clearance of at least 8 feet between the buildings on the subject property and the property line affected by the encroachment;

(i) Variations between the length of the subject property lines as shown on the application for insurance and as shown by the record or possession lines, provided such variations do not interfere with the use of any of the improvements on the subject property and do not involve a deficiency of more than 2 percent with respect to the length of the front line or more than 5 percent with respect to the length of any other line;

(j) Encroachments by garages or improvements other than those which are attached to or a portion of the main dwelling structure over easements for public utilities, provided such encroachment does not interfere with the use of the easement or the exercise of the rights of repair and maintenance in connection therewith;

(k) Violations of cost or set back restrictions which do not provide a penalty of reversion or forfeiture of title, or a lien for liquidated damages which may be superior to the lien of the insured mortgage. Violations of such restrictions which do provide for such penalties, provided such penalty rights have been duly released or subordinated to the lien of the insured mortgage, or provided a policy of title insurance is furnished expressly insuring the Commissioner against loss by reason of such penalties.

(l) Customary building and use restrictions which:

(1) Are coupled with a reversionary clause, provided there has been no violation prior to the date of the deed to the Commissioner; or

(2) Are not coupled with a reversionary clause and have not been violated to a material extent.

(m) Outstanding oil, water or mineral rights (or damage caused by the exercise of such rights) which are customarily waived by prudent leading institutions and leading attorneys in the community.

(n) The voluntary or involuntary conveyance of a part of the subject property pursuant to condemnation proceedings or in lieu of condemnation proceedings, if:

(1) The part conveyed does not exceed 10 percent by area of the property;

(2) No damage to existing structures, improvements, or unrepaired damage to sewage, water, or paving has been suffered;

(3) All of the payment received as compensation for the taking by condemnation or conveyance in lieu of condemnation has been applied to reduction of the mortgage indebtedness;

(4) The conveyance occurred subsequent to insurance of the mortgage; and

(5) There is included with the documents and information furnished the Commissioner with the application for insurance benefits, a statement by the mortgagee that the requirements of this paragraph have been met.

(o) Federal tax liens and rights of redemption arising therefrom if the following conditions are observed. If the mortgagee acquires the property by foreclosure the mortgagee shall give notice to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the foreclosure action. The Commissioner will not object to an outstanding right of redemption in IRS if: (1) The Federal tax lien was perfected subsequent to the date of the mortgage lien, and (2) The mortgagee has bid an amount sufficient to make the mortgagee whole if the property is in fact redeemed by the IRS.

(a) Mortgages sold by the Secretary. (1) If the Secretary sells a mortgage and such mortgage is later reassigned to him or the property covered by such mortgage is later conveyed to him, he will not object to title by reason of any lien or other adverse interest that was senior to the mortgage on the date of the original sale of such mortgage.

(2) The Secretary will accept an assignment of a mortgage previously sold by him, where the mortgagee is unable to complete foreclosure because of a defect in the mortgage instrument, a defect in the mortgage transaction, or a defect in title which existed at or prior to the time the mortgage assignment was filed for record. In such instances, the Secretary will not object to title by reason of any such defect.

(b) Property sold by the Secretary. (1) If a property held by the Secretary is sold by the Secretary who also insures a mortgage financing the sale, and the mortgage is later reassigned to the Secretary or the property covered by the mortgage is later conveyed to the Secretary, the Secretary will not object to title by reason of any lien or other adverse interest that was senior to the mortgage on the date the mortgage was filed for record, except where the lien or other adverse interest arose from a lien or interest that had already been recorded against the mortgagor.

(2) The Secretary will accept an assignment of a mortgage executed in connection with the sale of property by the Secretary, where the mortgagee is unable to complete foreclosure because of a defect in the mortgage instrument, a defect in the mortgage transaction, or a defect in title which existed at or prior to the time the mortgage was filed for record, except where the defect arose from a lien or interest that had already been recorded against the mortgagor on the date that the mortgage was filed for record. Except for the case of a lien or interest that had already been recorded against the mortgagor, the Secretary will not object to title by reason of any of the above defects.

Payment of an insurance claim will not automatically be refused solely because the title evidence reveals a condition of title not taken into consideration in the original appraisal and not covered by the provisions of § 203.389 of this part, or not otherwise waived in writing by the Secretary. In such instances, the Secretary may, at his or her option, approve the payment of a claim if the mortgagee agrees to accept a reduction in insurance benefits considered adequate by the Secretary to compensate for any anticipated loss to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund as a result of the existence of the title condition at the time of claim.

If the application for insurance benefits is acceptable to the Commissioner payment of the insurance claim shall be made in cash, in debentures or in a combination of both, as determined by the Commissioner at the time of payment except that where the mortgage is insured pursuant to section 223(e) of the Act such claim shall be paid in cash from the Special Risk Insurance Fund, unless the mortgagee files a written request with the application for payment in debentures. If such a request is made, the claim shall be paid by issuing debentures.

(a) Conveyed properties. Where a claim for the insurance benefits is filed in accordance with this subpart, based on the conveyance of title to the mortgaged property to the Commissioner, the amount of the insurance benefits shall be computed by adding to the original principal balance of the mortgage (as increased by the amount of open-end advances made by the mortgagee and approved by the Commissioner) which was unpaid on the date of the institution of foreclosure proceedings, on the date of the acquisition of the property otherwise after default, or on the date the property was acquired by the Commissioner under a direct conveyance by the mortgagor, the amount of all payments made by the mortgagee and allowances for items set forth in § 203.402, less all applicable items set forth in § 203.403.

(b) Claims without conveyance of title. (1) If the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property pursuant to a bid amount equal to the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value and the mortgagee elects to retain title as provided in § 203.368(g)(2), or if the mortgagee acquires title pursuant to a bid in excess of the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value (see § 203.368(g)(4)), the amount of the insurance benefits shall be determined by deducting the amount bid at the sale from the original principal balance of the mortgage (as increased by the amount of open-end advances made by the mortgagee and approved by the Commissioner) which was unpaid on the date of institution of the foreclosure proceedings, and adding to the difference, if any, all applicable items set forth in § 203.402 and subtracting therefrom all applicable items set forth in § 203.403; provided however, that appropriate adjustment shall be made for any such items covered by proceeds of the foreclosure sale.

(2) If a party other than the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property pursuant to a bid at foreclosure sale not less in amount than the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, the amount of the insurance benefits shall be determined by deducting the proceeds of the foreclosure sale distributed to the mortgagee from the original principal balance of the mortgage (as increased by the amount of open-end advances made by the mortgagee and approved by the Commissioner) which was unpaid on the date of the foreclosure proceedings, and adding to the difference, if any, all applicable items set forth in § 203.402 and subtracting therefrom all applicable items set forth in § 203.403; provided, however, that appropriate adjustment shall be made for any such items covered by the proceeds of the foreclosure sale.

(3) If the mortgagee acquires title to the mortgaged property pursuant to a bid not less in amount than the Commissioner's adjusted fair market value, and the mortgagor or another party redeems the property, the amount of the insurance benefits shall be determined by deducting the amount paid to redeem the property and received by the mortgagee from the original principal balance of that mortgage (as increased by the amount of open-end advances made by the mortgagee and approved by the Commissioner) which was unpaid on the date of the institution of foreclosure proceedings, and adding to the difference, if any, all applicable items set forth in § 203.402 and subtracting therefrom all applicable items set forth in § 203.403; provided however, that appropriate adjustments shall be made for any such items covered by that amount paid by the mortgagor or other party to redeem the property.

(c) Pre-foreclosure Sales. Where a claim for insurance benefits is filed in accordance with this subpart, based on a pre-foreclosure sale approved by or on behalf of the Secretary (under the provisions of § 203.370), the amount of insurance benefits shall be computed by adding to the original principal balance of the mortgage (as increased by the amount of open-end advances made by the mortgagee and approved by the Commissioner) which was unpaid on the date of closing of the pre-foreclosure sale, the amount of all applicable items set forth in § 203.402; provided however that appropriate adjustment shall be made for any such items covered by proceeds of the pre-foreclosure sale.

(d) Final Payment. (1) The mortgagee may not file for any additional payments of its mortgage insurance claim after six months from payment by the Commissioner of the final payment except for:

(i) Cases where the Commissioner requests or requires a deficiency judgment.

(ii) Other cases where the Commissioner determines it appropriate and expressly authorizes an extension of time.

(2) For the purpose of this section, the term final payment shall mean, in the case of claims filed for conveyed properties, the payment under subpart B of this part which is made by the Commissioner based upon the submission by the mortgagee of all required documents and information filed pursuant to § 203.365. In the case of claims filed under claims without conveyance of title, final payment shall mean the payment which is made by the Commissioner based upon submission by the mortgagee of all required documents and information filed pursuant to §§ 203.368 and 203.401(b). In the case of claims filed pursuant to pre-foreclosure sales, final payment shall mean the payment which is made by the Commissioner based upon submission by the mortgagee of all required documents and information filed pursuant to §§ 203.370 and 203.401(d).

The insurance benefits paid in connection with foreclosed properties, whether or not conveyed to the Commissioner; and those properties conveyed to the Commissioner as a result of a deed in lieu of foreclosure; and those properties sold under an approved pre-foreclosure sale shall include the following items:

(a) Taxes, ground rent and water rates, which are liens prior to the mortgage;

(b) Special assessments, which are noted on the application for insurance or which become liens after the insurance of the mortgage.

(c) Hazard insurance premiums on the mortgaged property not in excess of a reasonable rate as defined in § 203.379(a)(4).

(d) Periodic MIP or open-end insurance charges;

(e) Taxes imposed upon any deeds or other instruments by which said property was acquired by the mortgagee and transferred or conveyed to the Commissioner, or was acquired by the mortgagee and retained pursuant to § 203.368;

(f) Foreclosure costs or costs of acquiring the property otherwise (including costs of acquiring the property by the mortgagee and of conveying and evidencing title to the property to HUD, but not including any costs borne by the mortgagee to correct title defects) actually paid by the mortgagee and approved by HUD, in an amount not in excess of two-thirds of such costs or $75, whichever is the greater. For mortgages insured on or after February 1, 1998, the Secretary will reimburse a percentage of foreclosure costs or costs of acquiring the property, which percentage shall be determined in accordance with such conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe. Where the foreclosure involves a mortgage sold by the Secretary on or after August 1, 1969, or a mortgage executed in connection with the sale of property by the Secretary on or after such date, the mortgagee shall be reimbursed (in addition to the amount determined under the foregoing) for any extra costs incurred in the foreclosure as a result of a defect in the mortgage instrument, or a defect in the mortgage transaction or a defect in title which existed at or prior to the time the mortgage (or its assignment by the Secretary) was filed for record, if the mortgagee establishes to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that such extra costs are over and above those customarily incurred in the area.

(g)(1) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued before November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter before November 19, 1992, reasonable payments made by the mortgagee, with the approval of the Secretary, for the purpose of protecting, operating, or preserving the property, or removing debris from the property.

(2) For mortgages insured under firm commitments issued on or after November 19, 1992, or under direct endorsement processing where the credit worksheet was signed by the mortgagee's underwriter on or after November 19, 1992, reasonable payments made by the mortgagee, with the approval of the Secretary, for the purpose of protecting, operating, or preserving the property, or removing debris from the property prior to the time of conveyance required by § 203.359 of this part.

(3) Reasonable costs for performing the inspections required by § 203.377 of this part and to determine if the property is vacant or abandoned are considered to be costs of protecting, operating or preserving the property.

(h) Any uncollected mortgage interest allowed pursuant to an approved forbearance plan;

(i) An amount which the Commissioner finds to be sufficient to compensate the mortgagee for any loss which it may have sustained on account of interest on debentures and the payment of any MIP and open-end insurance charge by reason of its having postponed the institution of foreclosure proceedings or the acquisition of the property by other means under a mortgage to which the provisions of sections 302 and 306 of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended, apply during any part or all of the period of the mortgagor's military service and three months thereafter;

(j) Charges for the administration, operation, maintenance or repair of community-owned property or the maintenance and repair of the mortgaged property paid by the mortgagee with respect to which it certifies to the Secretary that payment was made for the purpose of discharging an obligation arising out of a covenant filed for record and approved by the Secretary prior to the issuance of the mortgage; and charges for the repair of the mortgaged property required by and in an amount authorized by the Secretary under § 203.379 of this part;

(k)(1) For properties conveyed to the Secretary, an amount equivalent to the debenture interest which would have been earned, as of the date such payment is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, if such portion had been paid in debentures, except that:

(i) When the mortgagee fails to meet any one of the applicable requirements of §§ 203.355, 203.356(b), 203.359, 203.360, 203.365, 203.606(b)(1), or 203.366 within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary (or within such further time as the Secretary may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended;

(ii) When the mortgagee fails to meet the requirements of § 203.356(a) of this part within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary (or within such further time as the Secretary may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed to a date set administratively by the Secretary.

(2) Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid without conveyance of title to the Commissioner in accordance with § 203.368, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(i) The debenture interest which would have been earned, as of the date the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property, on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with §203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(ii) The debenture interest which would have been earned, from the date the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property to the date when payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash if such portion had been paid in debentures, except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of §§ 203.355, 203.356, 203.368(i) (3) and (5) of this chapter within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended.

(3) Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid following a pre-foreclosure sale, without foreclosure or conveyance to the Commissioner in accordance with § 203.370, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(i) The debenture interest which would have been earned, as of the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale, on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with § 203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(ii) The debenture interest which would have been earned, from the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale to the date when payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash if such portion had been paid in debentures, except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of § 203.365 within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended.

(l) Reasonable costs of appraisal under § 203.368(e) or pursuant to § 203.370;

(m) Costs of additional advertising under 203.368(h);

(n) Costs of foreclosure as computed in paragraph (f) of this section where the acquiring party is one other than the mortgagee, as provided in § 203.368;

(o) In any case in which the Commissioner, pursuant to § 203.369, requires or requests that the mortgagee seek a deficiency judgment, an amount necessary to reimburse the mortgagee for those additional costs incurred that exceed the costs of foreclosure. In those jurisidictions that require the initiation of a judicial foreclosure action in order to obtain a deficiency judgment, a mortgagee shall receive full reimbursement for the costs of the foreclosure action, where, but for the requested deficiency judgment, judicial foreclosure would not have been necessary.

(p) An amount approved by HUD and paid to the mortgagor as consideration for the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure and, if authorized by HUD, an administrative fee approved by HUD paid to the mortgagee for its role in facilitating a successful deed in lieu of foreclosure, not to be subject to the payment of debenture interest thereon.

(q) Reasonable costs incurred in evicting occupants and in removing personal property from acquired properties;

(r) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, the mortgagee will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with the property after a reconveyance from the Secretary to the mortgagee as provided in § 203.363(b) of this part.

(s) Reasonable costs of the title search ordered by the mortgagee, in accordance with procedures prescribed by HUD, to determine the status of a mortgagor meeting all other criteria for approval to participate in the pre-foreclosure sale procedure, or to determine if a mortgagor meets the criteria for approval of the mortgagee's acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

(t) The administrative fee as authorized by the Secretary and payable to the mortgagee for its role in facilitating a successful pre-foreclosure sale, said fee not to be subject to the payment of debenture interest thereon.

The mortgagee shall be entitled to receive an allowance in the insurance settlement for unpaid mortgage interest if the mortgagor fails to meet the requirements of a forbearance agreement entered into pursuant to § 203.614 and this failure continues for a period of 60 days. The interest allowance shall be computed to:

(a) The earliest of the applicable following dates, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section:

(1) The date of the initiation of foreclosure;

(2) The date of the acquisition of the property by the mortgagee by means other than foreclosure;

(3) The date the property was acquired by the Commissioner under a direct conveyance from the mortgagor;

(4) Ninety days following the date the mortgagor fails to meet the requirements of the forbearance agreement, or such other date as the Commissioner may approve in writing prior to the expiration of the 90-day period; or

(5) The date the mortgagee sends the mortgagor notice of eligibility to participate in the Pre-Foreclosure Sale procedure; or

(b) The date foreclosure is initiated or a deed in lieu is obtained, or the date such actions were required by § 203.355(c), whichever is earlier, if the commencement of foreclosure within the time limits described in § 203.355(a), (b), (g), or (h) is precluded by:

(1) The laws of the State in which the mortgaged property is located; or

(2) Federal bankruptcy law.

There shall be deducted from the total of the added items in §§ 203.401 and 203.402 the following cash items:

(a) All amounts recieved by the mortgagee on account of the mortgage after the institution of foreclosure proceedings or the acquisition of the property by direct conveyance or otherwise after default.

(b) All amounts received by the mortgagee from any source relating to the property on account of rent or other income after deducting reasonable expenses incurred in handling the property.

(c) All cash retained by the mortgagee including amounts held or deposited for the account of the mortgagor or to which it is entitled under the mortgage transaction that have not been applied in reduction of the principal mortgage indebtedness.

(d) With regard to claims filed pursuant to successful pre-foreclosure sales, all amounts received by the mortgagee relating to the sale of the property.

Upon an acceptable assignment of a mortgage, the Commissioner shall pay to the mortgagee the unpaid principal balance of the loan at the time of assignment and an amount determined by:

(a) Adding the following items:

(1) Any accrued and unpaid mortgage interest.

(2) Any advances made under the mortgage and approved by the Commissioner.

(3) Reimbursement for such costs and attorney's fees as HUD finds were properly incurred in connection with the defaulted mortgage and its modification and assignment to HUD.

(4) An amount equivalent to the debenture interest which would have been earned on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, as of the date such payment is made, except that when the mortgagee fails to meet any one of the requirements of §§ 203.350(e), 203.351, and 203.353 of this chapter within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended.

(5) An administrative fee to the mortgagee for modifying the mortgage.

(6) A fee for servicing the mortgage assigned to HUD, if HUD requires such servicing.

(b) Deducting all cash retained by the mortgagee, including amounts held or deposited for the account of the mortgagor or to which it is entitled under the mortgage transaction that have not been applied in reduction of the principal mortgage indebtedness.

(c) The mortgagee may not file for any additional payments of its mortgage insurance claim after six months from final payment by the Commissioner. For the purpose of this section, the term final payment shall mean the payment which is made by the Commissioner based upon the submission by the mortgagee of all required documents and information pursuant to § 203.351 of this part.

Debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue, payable semiannually on the first day of January and the first day of July of each year at the rate in effect as of the day the commitment was issued, or as of the date the mortgage was endorsed for insurance, whichever rate is higher. For applications involving mortgages originated under the single family Direct Endorsement program, debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue, payable semiannually on the first day of January and the first day of July of each year at the rate in effect as of the date the mortgage was endorsed for insurance.

Debentures shall mature 20 years from the date of issue.

Debentures shall be registered as to principal and interest.

Debentures issued under this part shall be in such form and amounts; and shall be subject to such term and conditions; and shall include such provisions for redemption, if any, as may be prescribed by the Secretary, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury; and may be in book entry or certificated registered form, or such other form as the Secretary by regulation may prescribe.

Debentures shall, at the option of the Commissioner and with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, be redeemable at par plus accrued interest on any semiannual interest payment date on three months’ notice of redemption given in such manner as the Commissioner shall prescribe. The debenture interest on the debentures called for redemption shall cease on the semiannual interest payment date designated in the call notice. The Commissioner may include with the notice of redemption an offer to purchase the debentures at par plus accrued interest at any time during the period between the notice of redemption and the redemption date. If the debentures are purchased by the Commissioner after such call and prior to the named redemption date, the debenture interest shall cease on the date of purchase.

(a) Conveyed properties, claims without conveyance, pre-foreclosure sales— Where the property is conveyed to the Commissioner, or the mortgagee or other party acquires title to the property under the claim without conveyance procedure or the pre-foreclosure sale procedure, debenture shall be dated:

(1) If issued prior to September 2, 1964, or issued on or after such date and a certificate of claim is also issued, as of one of the dates as follows:

(i) The foreclosure proceedings were instituted;

(ii) The property was otherwise acquired by the mortgagee after default;

(iii) The property was acquired by the Commissioner, if directly conveyed to the Commissioner from the mortgagor; or

(iv) The property was acquired after default by a third party under the pre-foreclosure sale procedure.

(2) If issued on or after September 2, 1964, and a certificate of claim is not issued, as of the date of default as defined in this part.

(3) As of the day after the date to which mortgage interest is computed as specified in § 203.402a, if the insurance settlement includes an allowance for uncollected interest in connection with a special forbearance.

(b) Assigned mortgages. Where the mortgage is assigned to the Commissioner, debentures shall be dated as of the date of the assignment.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, in connection with conveyed properties and claims without conveyance, debentures issued as reimbursement for expenditures made by a mortgagee after the date of default shall be dated as of the date the expenditure is actually made by the mortgagee.

Any difference of less than $50 between the amount of debentures to be issued to the mortgagee and the total amount of the mortgagee's claim, as approved by the Commissioner, may be adjusted by the issuance of a check in payment thereof.

Notwithstanding the conveyance, sale, or assignment requirements for payment of a claim elsewhere in this part, HUD may pay the mortgagee, in accordance with procedures prescribed by HUD, for the following foreclosure alternative actions, in such amounts as HUD determines:

(a) Assumptions under § 203.512;

(b) Special forbearance under §§ 203.471 and 203.614;

(c) Recasting or modification of defaulted mortgages under § 203.616, where the mortgagee is not reimbursed under § 203.405(a);

(d) Refinancing under § 203.43(c).

(a) Claim amount. Where a claim for partial insurance benefits is filed in accordance with § 203.371, the amount of the insurance benefits shall consist of the arrearage not to exceed an amount equivalent to 12 monthly mortgage payments, and any costs prescribed by HUD related to the default.

(b) Servicing fee. The claim may also include a payment for activities, such as servicing the subordinate mortgage, which HUD may require.

(a) If the mortgage was accepted for insurance pursuant to a commitment issued prior to September 2, 1964, the mortgagee may, by filing a written request with the application for debentures, receive in addition to the debentures and the cash adjustment check, a certificate of claim issued in accordance with section 204(e) of the Act. This certificate shall become payable (if at all) as prescribed in section 204(f) of the Act.

(b) If the mortgage was accepted for insurance pursuant to a commitment issued on or after September 2, 1964, or under the Direct Endorsement, Lender Insurance, or Coinsurance programs, no certificate of claim will be issued.

The certificate shall be for an amount which the Commissioner determines to be sufficient to pay all amounts due under the mortgage and not covered by the amount of debentures and cash adjustment check. The certificate shall include a reasonable amount for necessary expenses incurred by the mortgagee in connection with the foreclosure proceedings or the acquisition of the mortgaged property otherwise and the conveyance thereof to the Commissioner, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, unpaid interest, and cost of repairs to the property made by the mortgagee to remedy the waste.

Each certificate of claim shall provide that there shall accrue to the holder thereof with respect to the face amount of such certificate, an increment at the rate of 3 percent per annum.

No mortgagee may sell or otherwise dispose of any insured mortgage, or group of insured mortgages, or any partial interest in such mortgage or mortgages by means of any agreement, arrangement or device except pursuant to this subpart.

An insured mortgage may be sold to another approved mortgagee. The seller shall notify HUD of the sale within 15 calendar days, on a form prescribed by HUD and acknowledged by the buyer.

When an insured mortgage is sold to another approved mortgagee, the buyer shall thereupon succeed to all the rights and become bound by all the obligations of the seller under the contract of insurance and the seller shall be released from its obligations under the contract, provided that the seller shall not be relieved of its obligation to pay mortgage insurance premiums until the notice required by § 203.431 is received by HUD.

(a) An assignment, pledge, or transfer of an insured mortgage or group of insured mortgages, not constituting a final sale, may be made by an approved mortgagee to another approved mortgagee provided the following requirements are met:

(1) The assignor, pledgor or transferor shall remain the mortgagee of record.

(2) The Commissioner shall have no obligation to recognize or deal with any party other than the mortgagee of record with respect to the rights, benefits and obligations of the mortgagee under the contract of insurance.

(b) An assignment or transfer of an insured mortgage or group of insured mortgages may be made by an approved mortgagee to other than an approved mortgagee provided the requirements under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section are met and the following additional requirements are met:

(1) The assignee or transferee shall be a corporation, trust or organization (including but not limited to any pension trust or profit-sharing plan) which certifies to the approved mortgagee that:

(i) It has assets of $100,000 or more; and

(ii) It has lawful authority to hold an insured mortgage or group of insured mortgages.

(2) The assignment or transfer shall be made pursuant to an agreement under which the transferor or assignor is obligated to take one of the following alternate courses of action within 1 year from the date of the assignment or within such additional period of time as may be approved by the Commissioner:

(i) The transferor or assignor shall repurchase and accept a reassignment of such mortgage or group of mortgages.

(ii) The transferor or assignor shall obtain a sale and transfer of such mortgage or group of mortgages to an approved mortgagee.

(c) Notice to or approval of the Commissioner is not required in connection with assignments, pledges or transfers pursuant to this section.

A sale of a beneficial interest in a group of insured mortgages, where the interest to be acquired is related to all of the mortgages as an entirety, rather than an interest in a specific mortgage shall be made only pursuant to a declaration of trust, which has been approved by the Commissioner prior to any such sale.

A partial interest in an insured mortgage may be transferred under a participation agreement without obtaining the approval of the Commissioner, if the following conditions are met:

(a) Principal mortgagee. The insured mortgage shall be held by an approved mortgagee which, for the purposes of this section, shall be referred to as the principal mortgagee.

(b) Interest of principal mortgagee. The principal mortgagee shall retain and hold for its own account a financial interest in the insured mortgage.

(c) Qualification for holding partial interest. A partial interest in an insured mortgage shall be issued to and held only by:

(1) A mortgagee approved by the Commissioner; or

(2) A corporation, trust or organization (including, but not limited to any pension fund, pension trust, or profit-sharing plan) which certifies to the principal mortgagee that:

(i) It has assets of $100,000 or more; and

(ii) It has lawful authority to acquire a partial interest in an insured mortgage.

(d) Participation agreement provisions. The participation agreement shall include provisions that:

(1) The principal mortgagee shall retain title to the mortgage and remain the mortgagee of record under the contract of mortgage insurance.

(2) The Commissioner shall have no obligation to recognize or deal with anyone other than the principal mortgagee with respect to the rights, benefits and obligations of the mortgagee under the contract of insurance.

(3) The mortgage documents shall remain in the custody of the principal mortgagee.

(4) The responsibility for servicing the insured mortgages shall remain with the principal mortgagee.

All of the provisions of this subpart are applicable to mortgages insured under the provisions of § 203.45 except as provided in this section.

(a) Beginning of Amortization means the date one month prior to the date of the first monthly payment to principal or interest.

(b) The phrases unpaid principal balance of the loan or principal of the mortgage which was unpaid as used in this subpart, shall be construed to refer to the outstanding mortgage amount as increased by any accrued mortgage interest which was unpaid pursuant to a financing plan approved by the Secretary.

(a) The provisions of §§ 203.251(d), 203.366 and 203.440 through 203.495 shall not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 203(n) of the National Housing Act.

(b) References in this subpart to the term deed and deed in lieu of foreclosure, or the word property when found in the phrases conveyance of property, acquisition of property, or other phrases indicating transfer of property, shall be construed to mean the assignment of the Corporate Certificate and Occupancy Certificate. However, when the use of such terms, as interpreted in light of section 203(n) of the National Housing Act, clearly indicates that reference to the dwelling unit is intended, such terms shall mean the dwelling unit identified in the Occupancy Certificate.

(c) In addition to the requirements of § 203.365, the mortgagee shall forward to the Secretary within 45 days after the transfer of the Corporate Certificate:

(1) A statement certified by the officer of the corporation charged with maintenance of the Corporate Certificate Transfer Book that such book currently shows that the Secretary is the owner of the Corporate Certificate; and,

(2) The Occupancy Certificate in the name of the Secretary.

(d) The mortgagee shall tender to the Secretary good and marketable title to the Corporate Certificate and the exclusive right of permanent possession of the dwelling unit.

(e) In lieu of the types of title evidence provided in § 203.385, the Secretary will accept a legal opinion signed by an attorney at law experienced in the examination of titles that the Secretary has good and marketable title to the Corporate Certificate and the exclusive right of possession of the dwelling unit.

(f) The Secretary may accept assignment of mortgages insured under this part if it is determined by the Secretary that it is in the Department's interest to do so provided that the blanket mortgage is in default and the holder of such mortgage has announced an intention to foreclose.

(a) Exemptions. The provisions of § 203.366 shall not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 248 of the National Housing Act.

(b) Claim procedure. In addition to other actions which the mortgagee may take pursuant to this subpart in order to receive insurance benefits, a mortgagee shall be entitled to receive such benefits on a mortgage insured under § 203.43h when (1) the mortgagor is more than 90 days in default; (2) the mortgagee has submitted appropriate documentation to the Secretary in accordance with § 203.350(b); and (3) the Secretary has approved the assignment of the mortgage.

(c) Foreclosure by HUD. HUD may initiate foreclosure proceedings with respect to any mortgage acquired under this section in a tribal court, a court of competent jurisdiction or Federal district court. If the mortgagor remains on the property following foreclosure, HUD may seek an eviction order from the court hearing the foreclosure action.

(a) Exemptions. The provisions of §§ 203.351(a)(8), 203.353(a), and 203.368, do not apply to mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act.

(b) Claim procedure. Where the mortgage is 180 days or more in default, the mortgagee may assign the mortgage to the Secretary and file its claim for insurance benefits in accordance with the provisions of this subpart. No claim on an insured mortgage will be paid other than through assignment of the mortgage.

(c) Notice of delinquency. The mortgagee shall notify the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands each month of those mortgages insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act on leaseholds of Hawaiian home lands which are 90 or more days delinquent, and of the status of all mortgages which were reported as 90 or more days delinquent the previous month. This notice is in addition to the requirement under § 203.332 to report to HUD concerning all insured mortgages 90 or more days delinquent.

All of the definitions contained in § 203.50 of this subchapter shall apply to §§ 203.440 et seq. In addition the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

(a) Insured loan means a loan which has been insured as evidenced by the issuance of an Insurance Certificate or by the endorsement of the note for insurance by the Commissioner.

(b) Contract of insurance means the agreement evidenced by the issuance of an Insurance Certificate or by the endorsement of the Commissioner upon the note given in connection with an insured loan, incorporating by reference the regulations in §§ 203.440 et seq. and the applicable provisions of the Act.

(c) Insurance premium means the loan insurance premium paid by the financial institution to the Commissioner in consideration of the contract of insurance.

(d) Beginning of amortization means the date one month prior to the date of the first monthly payment to principal and interest.

(e) Maturity means the date on which the loan indebtedness would be extinguished if paid in accordance with periodic payments provided for in the original note and security instrument.

(f) Debentures means registered, transferable securities in book entry or certificated form which are valid and binding obligations, unconditionally guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States.

Under compliance with the commitment, or as provided in § 203.255(b) with respect to mortgages processed under the Direct Endorsement program, the Commissioner shall insure the loan evidencing the insurance by the issuance of an insurance certificate which will identify the regulations under which the loan is insured and the date of insurance.

The loan is insured from the date of the issuance of an Insurance Certificate or from the date of the endorsement of the note. The Commissioner and the lender shall thereafter be bound by the Act and the regulations in §§ 203.440 et seq. with the same force and to the same extent as if a separate contract had been executed relating to the insured loan.

Upon request by the borrower and lender the Commissioner may terminate the insurance contract on the loan. The lender shall cancel the insurance endorsement on the insurance certificate or note upon receipt of notice from the Commissioner that the contract of insurance is terminated.

The contract of insurance shall be terminated if the loan is paid in full prior to its maturity.

No contract of insurance shall be terminated until the lender has given written notice thereof to the Commissioner within 15 calendar days from the occurrence of one of the approved methods of termination set forth in this subpart.

No contract of insurance shall be terminated until the lender has paid to the Commissioner the pro rata portion of the current annual insurance premium.

The Commissioner shall notify the lender that the contract of insurance has been terminated and the effective termination. The termination date shall be the last day of the month in which:

(a) The loan was prepaid; or

(b) A voluntary termination request is received by the Commissioner, or

(c) The contract of insurance is otherwise terminated with the consent of the Commissioner.

Upon termination of the contract of insurance, the obligation to pay any subsequent insurance premium shall cease and all rights of the borrower and lender shall be terminated.

If the borrower fails to make any payment, or to perform any other obligation under the loan and such failure continues for a period of 30 days, the loan shall be considered in default for the purposes of §§ 203.440 et seq.

For the purposes of §§ 203.440 et seq. the date of default shall be considered as 30 days after—

(a) The first uncorrected failure to perform any obligation under the loan, or

(b) The first failure to make a monthly payment which subsequent payments by the borrower are insufficient to cover when applied to the overdue monthly payment in the order in which they became due.

The lender shall, within 60 days after default as defined in §§ 203.440 et seq., give written notice thereof to the Commissioner, unless such default has been cured or unless the Commissioner has been notified of a previous default which remains uncured.

If after default and prior to assignment by the lender of the loan to the Commissioner, the borrower shall pay to the lender all monthly payments in default, written notice shall be given to the Commissioner within 30 days and the insurance shall continue as if such default had not occurred.

If the mortgagee finds that a default is due to circumstances beyond the mortgagor's control, as defined by the Secretary, the mortgagee may grant special forbearance relief to the mortgagor in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the Secretary.

If the borrower is a person in military service, as defined in the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, the lender may, by written agreement with the borrower, postpone for the period of military service, and 3 months thereafter, any part of the monthly payment, which represents amortization of principal. The agreement shall contain a provision for the resumption of monthly payments thereafter in amounts which will completely amortize the obligation within its original maturity. The agreement shall in no way affect the amount of the annual insurance premium which shall continue to be calculated in accordance with the original amortization provisions of the loan.

(a) A claim for insurance benefits on a loan secured by a first mortgage shall be made, and insurance benefits shall be paid, as provided in §§ 203.350 through 203.414.

(b) A claim for insurance benefits on a loan secured by other than a first mortgage shall be made, and insurance benefits shall be paid, as provided in §§ 203.474 through 203.478. However, the lender may not, except with the approval of the Commissioner, proceed against the security and also make claim under the contract of insurance, but shall elect which method it desires to pursue.

A claim for insurance benefits on a loan secured by other than a first mortgage shall be filed within one year from the date of default, or within such additional period of time as may be approved by the Commissioner.

The claim for reimbursement on a loan secured by other than a first mortgage shall be made upon an application form prescribed by the Commissioner. The application shall be accompanied by:

(a) The fiscal data pertaining to the loan transaction as required by the fiscal data form;

(b) Receipts covering all disbursements as required by the fiscal data form;

(c) The original note and the security held, assigned to the Commissioner without recourse of warranty, except that no act or omission of the lender shall have impaired the validity and priority of such security;

(d) Any hazard insurance policies held on property serving as security for the loan, together with a copy of the lender's notification to the carrier authorizing the amendment of the loss payable clause substituting the Commissioner as the holder of the security;

(e) The assignment to the Commissioner of all rights and interests arising under the loan, and all claims of the lender against the borrower or others arising out of the loan transaction;

(f) Any title evidence held by the lender;

(g) All property of th