Surveyors Report and Instructions

Multifamily Document Reform Implementation Frequently Asked Questions

Surveyor's Report and Instructions

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Some surveyors interpret the 2011 ALTA/ACSM Minimum Standard Detail Requirement to prohibit them from including the HUD certification on the survey itself as required by HUD-92457A-M, HUD Survey Instructions and Report. In the case at issue, the surveyor has refused to include the HUD certification on the survey and has requested permission to include it on a separate sheet of paper. Although Section 7 of the 2011 ALTA/ACSM Minimum Standard of Detail Requirements states that surveyors may not alter the ALTA/ACSM required certification, that section references Section 3(B), which acknowledges that there may be additional federal statutes and administrative rules that surveyors must follow. A lender's attorney mentioned two HUD field offices that permitted the surveyor to make the certification on a separate sheet of paper, however our office has not permitted this change in the past. Can you please clarify this issue?

1. Some surveyors interpret the 2011 ALTA/ACSM Minimum Standard Detail Requirement to prohibit them from including the HUD certification on the survey itself as required by HUD-92457A-M, HUD Survey Instructions and Report. In the case at issue, the surveyor has refused to include the HUD certification on the survey and has requested permission to include it on a separate sheet of paper. Although Section 7 of the 2011 ALTA/ACSM Minimum Standard of Detail Requirements states that surveyors may not alter the ALTA/ACSM required certification, that section references Section 3(B), which acknowledges that there may be additional federal statutes and administrative rules that surveyors must follow. A lender's attorney mentioned two HUD field offices that permitted the surveyor to make the certification on a separate sheet of paper, however our office has not permitted this change in the past. Can you please clarify this issue?

It is ALTA policy not to allow modifications to the certification or additional certifications on the face of an ALTA survey. ALTA instructions are: For those Clients who require an additional or alternate Certification, it is permissible to negotiate with the Surveyor to provide another additional Certification on a seperate sheet of paper and cross-reference it to the Survey. Housing will accept the HUD Certification on a seperate sheet of paper and cross referenced to the survey.

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