Minimum Property Standards Resources
MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes
Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under FHA's programs. This includes new single family homes, multi-family housing, and healthcare facilities.
HUD Minimum Property Standards and How They Supplement the Model Building Codes
Until the mid-1980's, HUD maintained separate Minimum Property Standards for different types of structures. Since that time, HUD has accepted the model building codes, including over 250 referenced standards, and local building codes, in lieu of separate and prescriptive HUD standards.
However, there is one major area of difference between the MPS and other model building codes: durability requirements. Homes and projects financed by FHA-insured mortgages are the collateral for these loans and their lack of durability can increase FHA's financial risk in the event of default.
More specifically, the model codes do not contain any minimum requirements for the durability of such items as doors, windows, gutters and downspouts, painting and wall coverings, kitchen cabinets and carpeting. The MPS includes minimum standards for these, and other items, to ensure that the value of an FHA-insured home is not reduced by the deterioration of these components.
HUD Field Office Acceptance for Areas without Building Codes
HUD requires that each property insured with an FHA mortgage meet one of the nationally recognized building codes or a State or local building code based on a nationally recognized building code. In areas where such State or local codes are used, HUD determines if the State or local code is comparable to the model building code.
There are also areas of the United States that do not have building codes. If no State or local building code has been adopted, the appropriate HUD Field Office will specify a building code that is comparable to one of the nationally recognized model building codes.
Program Management
This program is managed by HUD's Office of Architecture and Engineering within the Office of Healthcare Programs.
Other Related HUD Fact Sheets and Publications
HUD Minimum Property Standards For Housing - HUD Handbook 4910.1, issued July 29, 1994.
HUD Technical Suitability of Products Program - HUD Handbook 4950.1 REV 3, issued August 11, 1997.
HUD Architectural Processing and Inspections for Home Mortgage Insurance, HUD Handbook 4145.1
Permanent Foundations Guide For Manufactured Housing - issued September 1996. Also available as software. May be ordered by calling HUD User at 1-800-245-2691.
Minimum Design Standards For Community Sewerage Systems, HUD Handbook, 4940.3
Handbooks may be ordered from HUD's Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-767-7468. Additional information concerning HUD programs, and a list of HUD Field Offices, is available on HUD's website.
Points of Contact for Questions and Additional Information
HUD Field Offices should be contacted for additional information concerning accepted building codes; Engineering or technical questions concerning the Minimum Property Standards should be addressed to hsgmps@hud.gov or answers@hud.gov.
Technical Suitability of Products Program
I. Description of Program
The Technical Suitability of Products program provides for the acceptance of new materials and products to be used in buildings financed with FHA-insured mortgages. This includes new single family homes, multi-family housing, and healthcare facilities.
II. Background Information
The Technical Suitability of Products Program was established under Section 521 of the National Housing Act of 1965 to provide a mechanism for the rapid technical acceptance of new and innovative materials, components and complete structural systems for use in construction of housing under HUD mortgage insurance programs. The procedures for acceptance of products and materials are detailed in HUD Handbook 4950.1. Since the program was started in 1967, approximately 2500 products and building systems have been accepted by HUD. Each acceptance must be renewed every three years.
III. Types of System or Product Acceptances Issued
- Structural Engineering Bulletins (SEBs) which are issued by HUD for structural systems, such as modular housing, log homes or panelized construction, and for subsystems such as roof or wall systems.
- Mechanical Engineering Bulletins (MEBs) are issued for separate utility cores or nonstandard mechanical systems, i.e. modular utility cores, kitchens and baths.
- Materials Releases (MRs) are issued by HUD for specific materials, products or systems.
- Use of Materials Bulletins (UMs) are issued by HUD for the generic acceptance of materials, products, or systems.
- User Fees are charged for the issuance of SEBs, MEBs, and MRs, and UMs. These fees are applicable to initial issuances, revisions, or renewals of bulletins and releases, which are then valid for three years. At the conclusion of three years, except for UMs, all other rules and regulations concerning documents need to be reviewed for renewal or revision.
IV. State Governments Whose Regulations Concerning Modular Housing Industry Has Been Accepted by HUD
In 30 States, HUD has agreed to accept State approval of modular housing so that manufacturers do not have to obtain a separate SEB. These States are called Category III Housing States. In Category III States, housing units or building components that are subject to State regulations for design and construction receive a State label.
V. Program Management
HUD's Office of Architecture and Engineering within the Office of Healthcare Programs manages the Technical Suitability of Products program.
VI. Other Related HUD Fact Sheets and Publications
HUD Technical Suitability of Products Program - HUD Handbook 4950.1
Fact Sheet For Builders/Manufacturers - The Minimum Property Standards Program
Minimum Property Standards For Housing - HUD Handbook 4910.1, issued July 29, 1994.
HUD Architectural Processing and Inspections For Home Mortgage Insurance, HUD Handbook 4145.1
Permanent Foundations Guide For Manufactured Housing - issued September 1996. Also available as software. Can be ordered from HUD User at 1-800-245-2691.
Minimum Design Standards for Community Sewerage Systems - HUD Handbook 4940.3, issued November 1992.
Handbooks may also be ordered from HUD's Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-767-7468.
VII. Points of Contact for Questions and Additional Information
Send all technical questions concerning the Technical Suitability of Products Program to: hsgmps@hud.gov.
Technical Suitability of Products User Fee Payments
On April 1, 2016, HUD implemented an electronic payment system operated by the Department of Treasury for all User Fees submitted under the Technical Suitability of Products (TSP) program. Payments to the lockbox in Atlanta are no longer accepted.
The electronic TSP User Fee form can be accessed directly at: https://pay.gov/public/form/start/73881741.
Sponsors can also type in “TSP” in the search box or click on the “Find an Agency” link and select “Housing and Urban Development: Office of Financial Analysis & Reporting” on the Pay.gov web page.
The User Fee Schedule for the Technical Suitability of Products program was published as a notice along with a final rule on August 9, 1984, and later revised in notices published on January 22, 1985, August 1, 1990, and May 1, 1997. This revised schedule increases fees and amends the fee schedule stated in the May 1, 1997 notice. The effective date for this notice is September 19, 2016.
For customer questions, concerns, or technical issues, please contact Pay.gov Customer Service at 800-624-1373 or by email at pay.gov.clev@clev.frb.org. If you have any questions regarding the TSP User Fee, please contact HUD at hsgmps@hud.gov.
Category III States
In 30 States, HUD has agreed to accept State approval of modular housing so that manufacturers do not have to obtain a separate SEB. These States are called Category III Housing States. In Category III States, housing units or building components that are subject to State regulations for design and construction receive a State label.
Regulation Contacts for Modular and Panelized Housing
ALABAMA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA Mailing Address: PH: (916) 263-7430 COLORADO FLORIDA GEORGIA IDAHO ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA KENTUCKY | MARYLAND MICHIGAN Mailing Address: Phone: (517) 930-9361 MINNESOTA MONTANA NEBRASKA Mailing Address PH: (402) 471-0213 NEVADA NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW MEXICO NEW YORK | NORTH CAROLINA Mailing Address: PH: (919) 647-0000 PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE Designee: TEXAS VIRGINIA WASHINGTON Mailing Address PH: (360) 902-5222 WISCONSIN |