Interior Access

The lender/holder/servicer must assist the appraiser in gaining access to the property.  Failure to provide such assistance may limit VA liability.  However, the lender/holder/servicer may ask VA to waive this requirement for a particular case or in a particular area, based on a written opinion from their legal counsel regarding a legal conflict or other serious concern.

With the above assistance, the fee appraiser must gain access to the interior of the dwelling unless either

·   VA has approved a request to waive the lender/holder/servicer’s responsibility as described above

·   the property owner/occupant has permanently refused the appraiser’s entry

·   the appraiser considers access to present a legitimate hazard

·   three or more attempts to call the telephone number(s) provided with the liquidation appraisal request have resulted in no access

·   the appraiser has made three appointments to enter the dwelling, all of which have been broken

·   the property is vacant and jurisdictional law prohibits the lender from gaining or assisting in gaining access to the property, or

·   on a case-by-case basis, VA considers there to be other valid extenuating circumstances (such as, the owner’s personal effects remain in a vacant property causing legitimate concern about exposure to litigation).