Property Preservation Standards by Agency
Complete reference guide to property preservation requirements for HUD, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.
HUD — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD preservation standards apply to FHA-insured properties entering foreclosure or conveyed as REO. Servicers must maintain properties to HUD's Mortgagee Letter guidelines to avoid curtailment penalties.
Timeline Requirements
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | Within 5 days of vacancy confirmation |
| Initial Lawn Cut | Within 7 days of vacancy confirmation |
| Property Registration | Within 10 days of vacancy |
| Debris Removal | Within 30 days of vacancy |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | Every 7–14 days (seasonal) |
| Winterization | Before first freeze or by October 1 |
| Monthly Inspections | Every 25–35 days |
| Conveyance Condition | Before property conveyance to HUD |
Photo Documentation Requirements
- Before and after photos for every work order
- Time-stamped and geo-tagged images required
- Minimum 4 exterior photos (front, back, left side, right side)
- Interior photos of every room, including closets
- Close-up photos of all damages, violations, and hazards
- Photos of all utility meter readings
Property Condition Requirements
- All doors and windows must be secured with agency-approved locks
- Grass height must not exceed 6 inches (varies by region)
- Property must be free of debris, trash, and personal property
- Winterization required in freeze-risk zones
- All hazards (mold, structural, electrical) must be documented and reported
- Swimming pools must be secured, drained, or maintained
Common Violations
- Missing or late initial secure
- Grass exceeding maximum height at inspection
- Incomplete photo documentation
- Failure to winterize before deadline
- Personal property not removed within allowable timeline
- Missing property registration with municipality
Allowable Cost Ranges
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure (lock change) | $50–$85 |
| Re-key / Padlock | $35–$55 |
| Initial Lawn Cut | $65–$165 |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | $45–$125 |
| Winterization (dry) | $150–$250 |
| Debris Removal (per cubic yard) | $35–$65 |
| Monthly Inspection | $30–$55 |
VA — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA property preservation standards apply to VA-guaranteed loan properties. The VA's Property Management & Acquired Property division oversees requirements for vacant and REO properties with emphasis on veteran-occupied property protections.
Timeline Requirements
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | Within 3–5 days of vacancy |
| Initial Lawn Cut | Within 7 days of vacancy |
| Occupancy Inspection | Within 5 days of default notification |
| Debris Removal | Within 15 days of vacancy |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | Every 7–14 days (seasonal) |
| Winterization | Before first freeze |
| Monthly Inspections | Every 25–35 days |
| Property Condition Report | Within 15 days of acquisition |
Photo Documentation Requirements
- Before and after photos for all completed work
- Time-stamped and geo-tagged photos required
- Full exterior coverage (all four sides plus street view)
- Interior photos of every room including utility areas
- Damage documentation with close-up and wide-angle shots
- Documentation of any occupant belongings or hazards
Property Condition Requirements
- All entry points secured with VA-approved hardware
- Property must meet local code requirements
- Grass maintained below 6 inches or local ordinance standard
- No standing water, mold, or pest infestation
- All personal property handled per VA disposition rules
- Smoke detectors and CO detectors must be present and functional
Common Violations
- Securing completed outside allowable timeline
- Inadequate photo documentation
- Failure to report occupancy status changes
- Winterization not completed before freeze risk
- Non-compliant lock hardware used
- Missing or incomplete property condition report
Allowable Cost Ranges
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | $50–$90 |
| Re-key / Padlock | $35–$55 |
| Initial Lawn Cut | $65–$175 |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | $45–$135 |
| Winterization (dry) | $150–$275 |
| Debris Removal (per cubic yard) | $35–$65 |
| Property Condition Report | $55–$85 |
USDA — U.S. Department of Agriculture (Rural Development)
USDA Rural Development property preservation standards apply to Section 502 and 504 loan properties, typically in rural areas. USDA requirements emphasize environmental compliance and rural property considerations including well/septic systems.
Timeline Requirements
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | Within 5–7 days of vacancy |
| Initial Lawn Cut | Within 10 days of vacancy |
| Environmental Assessment | Within 15 days of vacancy |
| Debris Removal | Within 30 days of vacancy |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | Every 7–21 days (seasonal) |
| Winterization | Before first freeze or by October 15 |
| Inspections | Every 30 days |
| Well/Septic Assessment | Within 30 days of vacancy |
Photo Documentation Requirements
- Before and after documentation for every task
- Time-stamped photos required (geo-tagging preferred)
- Exterior photos including outbuildings and acreage
- Interior photos of all rooms and utility systems
- Well, septic, and environmental feature documentation
- Road access and driveway condition photos
Property Condition Requirements
- All structures on the property must be secured
- Well systems must be capped or maintained
- Septic systems must be inspected and documented
- Property must comply with local environmental regulations
- Outbuildings and barns must be secured and documented
- Acreage must be maintained to prevent fire and pest hazards
Common Violations
- Failure to secure outbuildings
- Well or septic system not properly documented
- Environmental hazards not reported
- Lawn maintenance exceeding maximum height on acreage
- Missing documentation on rural property features
- Late winterization of plumbing and well systems
Allowable Cost Ranges
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | $50–$95 |
| Re-key / Padlock | $35–$55 |
| Initial Lawn Cut (may include acreage) | $85–$300 |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | $65–$200 |
| Winterization (including well) | $175–$350 |
| Debris Removal (per cubic yard) | $35–$75 |
| Well/Septic Inspection | $75–$150 |
Fannie Mae — Federal National Mortgage Association
Fannie Mae's property preservation requirements are defined in the Servicing Guide and apply to conventional loans. Fannie Mae uses a detailed inspection and maintenance matrix with strict timelines and expense thresholds for reimbursement.
Timeline Requirements
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | Within 3 days of vacancy confirmation |
| Initial Lawn Cut | Within 7 days of vacancy |
| Property Registration | Per local ordinance requirements |
| Debris Removal | Within 15 days of vacancy |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | Every 7–10 days (growing season) |
| Winterization | Within 3 days of vacancy if freeze risk |
| Inspections | Monthly during foreclosure; weekly if REO |
| REO Transfer Condition | Within 30 days of foreclosure sale |
Photo Documentation Requirements
- Before and after photos for every work order required
- Time-stamped and geo-tagged images mandatory
- Complete exterior documentation (all sides, roof, yard)
- Every interior room photographed including storage areas
- All damage, code violations, and safety hazards documented
- Utility status photos (meters, panels, water heater)
Property Condition Requirements
- All entry points must have Fannie Mae-approved locksets
- Grass must not exceed local ordinance height limits
- Property must be broom-clean and free of personal property
- All utilities must be verified and documented
- Pool and spa must be secured per Fannie Mae guidelines
- Property must pass Fannie Mae condition rating assessment
Common Violations
- Exceeding allowable cost thresholds without pre-approval
- Missing or incomplete photo sets
- Failure to meet initial secure timeline
- Non-approved lock hardware installed
- Property condition decline between inspections
- Late or missing property registration
Allowable Cost Ranges
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure (lock change) | $50–$80 |
| Re-key / Padlock | $30–$50 |
| Initial Lawn Cut | $60–$150 |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | $40–$110 |
| Winterization (dry) | $145–$250 |
| Debris Removal (per cubic yard) | $30–$60 |
| Monthly Inspection | $25–$45 |
Freddie Mac — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
Freddie Mac preservation standards are outlined in the Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide. Requirements parallel Fannie Mae in many areas but include Freddie Mac-specific inspection cycles, documentation formats, and expense approval thresholds.
Timeline Requirements
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure | Within 5 days of vacancy confirmation |
| Initial Lawn Cut | Within 7 days of vacancy |
| Property Registration | Per local ordinance requirements |
| Debris Removal | Within 20 days of vacancy |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | Every 7–14 days (seasonal) |
| Winterization | Before first freeze or per regional schedule |
| Inspections | Every 30 days |
| Conveyance/Disposition Prep | Within 30 days of sale |
Photo Documentation Requirements
- Before and after documentation for all work orders
- Time-stamped photos with property address visible
- Full exterior coverage including all structures
- Interior photos of all rooms and utility areas
- Hazard and damage documentation with detail shots
- Street view and neighborhood condition photos
Property Condition Requirements
- Entry points secured with Freddie Mac-compliant hardware
- Grass maintained below local ordinance thresholds
- Property interior must be broom-clean
- All health and safety hazards must be remediated or reported
- Pools must be secured, winterized, or maintained
- Smoke and CO detectors must be present and functional
Common Violations
- Late initial secure or re-secure
- Incomplete or non-compliant photo documentation
- Expense submissions exceeding allowable thresholds
- Failure to register property with municipality
- Missed inspection cycles
- Winterization not completed within required timeline
Allowable Cost Ranges
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Secure (lock change) | $50–$85 |
| Re-key / Padlock | $30–$55 |
| Initial Lawn Cut | $60–$160 |
| Recurring Lawn Maintenance | $40–$120 |
| Winterization (dry) | $150–$260 |
| Debris Removal (per cubic yard) | $30–$65 |
| Monthly Inspection | $25–$50 |
Cross-Agency Comparison
| Requirement | HUD | VA | USDA | Fannie Mae | Freddie Mac |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Secure Timeline | 5 days | 3–5 days | 5–7 days | 3 days | 5 days |
| Lawn Cut Deadline | 7 days | 7 days | 10 days | 7 days | 7 days |
| Inspection Frequency | 25–35 days | 25–35 days | 30 days | Monthly / Weekly (REO) | 30 days |
| Winterization Deadline | Before first freeze / Oct 1 | Before first freeze | Before first freeze / Oct 15 | 3 days if freeze risk | Before first freeze |
| Photo Requirements | Time-stamped, geo-tagged | Time-stamped, geo-tagged | Time-stamped (geo preferred) | Time-stamped, geo-tagged | Time-stamped, address visible |
| Max Grass Height | 6 inches | 6 inches / local code | Local code | Local code | Local code |
Important Disclaimer
This reference guide is compiled from publicly available agency guidelines and industry standards as of 2024–2025. Requirements change frequently — always verify current standards with the specific agency, servicer, or client before relying on this information for compliance decisions.
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