92.251—Property standards.
(a)
(1)
Housing that is constructed or rehabilitated with HOME funds must meet all applicable local codes, rehabilitation standards, ordinances, and zoning ordinances at the time of project completion, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. The participating jurisdiction must have written standards for rehabilitation that ensure that HOME-assisted housing is decent, safe, and sanitary. In the absence of a local code for new construction or rehabilitation, HOME-assisted new construction or rehabilitation must meet, as applicable, one of three model codes: Uniform Building Code (ICBO), National Building Code (BOCA), Standard (Southern) Building Code (SBCCI); or the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) one or two family code; or the Minimum Property Standards (MPS) in 24 CFR 200.925 or 200.926. To avoid duplicative inspections when FHA financing is involved in a HOME-assisted property, a participating jurisdiction may rely on a Minimum Property Standards (MPS) inspection performed by a qualified person. Newly constructed housing must meet the current edition of the Model Energy Code published by the Council of American Building Officials.
(2)
All other HOME-assisted housing (e.g., acquisition) must meet all applicable State and local housing quality standards and code requirements and if there are no such standards or code requirements, the housing must meet the housing quality standards in 24 CFR 982.401.
(3)
The housing must meet the accessibility requirements at 24 CFR part 8, which implements Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and covered multifamily dwellings, as defined at 24 CFR 100.201, must also meet the design and construction requirements at 24 CFR 100.205, which implement the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601-361 9).
(4)
Construction of all manufactured housing must meet the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards established in 24 CFR part 3280. These standards pre-empt State and local codes covering the same aspects of performance for such housing. Participating jurisdictions providing HOME assistance to install manufactured housing units must comply with applicable State and local laws or codes. In the absence of such laws or codes, the participating jurisdiction must comply with the manufacturer's written instructions for installation of manufactured housing units. Manufactured housing that is rehabilitated using HOME funds must meet the requirements set out in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b)
The following requirements apply to housing for homeownership that is to be rehabilitated after transfer of the ownership interest:
(ii)
Notify the prospective purchaser of the work needed to cure the defects and the time by which defects must be cured and applicable property standards met.
(2)
The housing must be free from all noted health and safety defects before occupancy and not later than 6 months after the transfer.
(3)
The housing must meet the property standards in paragraph (a)(1) of this section not later than 2 years after transfer of the ownership interest.
(c)
An owner of rental housing assisted with HOME funds must maintain the housing in compliance with all applicable State and local housing quality standards and code requirements and if there are no such standards or code requirements, the housing must meet the housing quality standards in 24 CFR 982.401.
(d)
All housing occupied by tenants receiving HOME tenant-based rental assistance must meet the housing quality standards in 24 CFR 982.401.