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Topic 14. Utilities
March 28, 2019
This Chapter has been revised in its entirety.
a. Electricity
Each living unit must have electricity for lighting and for necessary equipment.
b. Appraiser Not Conducting Operational Checks
Since the appraiser does not perform any operational checks of mechanical systems or appliances, the utilities are not required to be turned on when the appraiser visits the property.
c. Electrical Wires
Any visible frayed or exposed electrical wires must be repaired.
d. Utilities for Living Units
Utility services must be independent for each living unit, except
units in a two to four-unit property may share water, sewer, gas, or electricity as long as there are separate service shut-offs for each unit, and
units under separate ownership may share connections from the main to the building line when those connections are protected by an easement and a maintenance agreement acceptable to VA.
e. Access for Maintenance and Repair
Individual utilities serving one living unit shall not pass over, under, or through another living unit unless there is a legal provision for a permanent right of access for maintenance and repair of the utilities without trespass on adjoining properties.