D1-3-01, Evaluating the Impact of a Disaster Event and Assisting a Borrower (04/12/2023)

Disasters are earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or other catastrophes caused by either nature or a person or event beyond the borrower's control resulting in devastation in terms of property damage and destruction.

When the servicer becomes aware that a disaster event has occurred, it must determine the extent and nature of the damage to any property securing a mortgage loan in the disaster area (regardless of whether the property is in a FEMA-Declared Disaster Area eligible for Individual Assistance) through reasonable means, including but not limited to:

• obtaining information from the borrower, or

• performing a property inspection when necessary.

Note: The servicer is authorized, but not required, to attempt to contact the borrower or perform a property inspection if the mortgage loan is current at the time of the disaster event and remains current following the disaster event.

When a disaster event occurs, the servicer is permitted to use predictive modeling data or alternative technology, such as aerial photography, to estimate the likelihood of damage in an area or to a property impacted by a disaster event.

See  D2-2-10, Requirements for Performing Property InspectionsD2-2-10, Requirements for Performing Property Inspections for additional information on property inspections.

When inspecting impacted properties, the servicer must utilize the Property Inspection Report (Form 30) or equivalent. The servicer must exercise discretion in determining whether an interior or exterior property inspection is appropriate depending on the individual circumstances. The servicer is authorized to request reimbursement for disaster inspection costs incurred on current and delinquent mortgage loans when a property inspection is necessary. To request reimbursement, the servicer must follow the procedures in Reimbursement for Property Inspections and Property Preservation Expenses in F-1-05, Expense ReimbursementF-1-05, Expense Reimbursement.

The following table describes the servicer’s requirements when it becomes aware that a property securing a mortgage loan has incurred damage as a result of a disaster event.

See the Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide for additional information on property inspections and property preservation.

The following table describes the servicer's requirements when a borrower is affected by a disaster event.

If the servicer determines that the borrower is unable to resolve a delinquency resulting from a disaster-related hardship through a reinstatement and cannot afford a repayment plan, the servicer must evaluate the borrower for a retention workout option in accordance with the following table.

If the servicer has any doubt about the effect of the disaster event on the condition of a property or the borrower's employment or income status, it must suspend any legal proceedings, including foreclosure proceedings, already in process until it can determine the accurate status, and make its final decision on the appropriate course of action based upon its findings. The servicer must contact its Fannie Mae Servicing Representative (see  F-4-02, List of ContactsF-4-02, List of Contacts) to obtain written approval before granting a suspension that exceeds 90 days.

The servicer must not initiate or complete foreclosure proceedings related to a property that has been destroyed until it evaluates the economic feasibility of pursuing the foreclosure.