VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs): Checklist and Guide

Quick Summary: VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) are the standards a home must meet to qualify for a VA loan. The VA appraiser checks that the home is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. If something fails, it must be repaired before closing. This guide covers the current checklist, the 2026 changes, and who pays for repairs.

A VA loan protects the buyer in a way most loans don’t: the home has to pass a basic condition check before the loan can close. Those standards are the VA Minimum Property Requirements, or MPRs. Knowing them before you write an offer saves time, money, and failed deals.

What are VA Minimum Property Requirements?

MPRs are property standards set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They require a home to be safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. A VA-assigned appraiser checks for them during the VA appraisal. If the home falls short, the problem must be fixed before closing.

MPRs are about condition, not appearance. Worn carpet, dated cabinets, and old paint that isn’t peeling are not MPR issues.

VA MPR checklist

1. Residential use. The property must be used primarily as a residence, with no more than one business unit. Non-residential space, such as a shop or office, can’t exceed 25% of the total floor area, and the business use can’t change the home’s residential character.
2. Living space. The home needs adequate space for living, sleeping, cooking, and dining, plus sanitary facilities.
3. Mechanical systems. Electrical, plumbing, and heating systems must be safe to operate and have reasonable remaining life.
4. Heating. The home must have a permanently installed heating system capable of maintaining at least 50°F in areas with plumbing.
5. Water. The home needs a continuous supply of safe drinking water and hot water. A private well must meet local health authority standards, which usually means a water test.
6. Sewage. The home needs a working connection to public sewer or an acceptable septic system.
7. Roof. The roof must keep moisture out and provide reasonable future utility and durability. Three layers of shingles alone do not require replacement. If a defective roof needs replacement and already has three or more layers, all existing shingles must be removed before the new roof is installed.
8. Crawl space. It must be accessible, clear of debris, properly vented, and free of excessive dampness or standing water.
9. Basement and foundation. No signs of structural failure, continuing settlement, leakage, or decay.
10. Drainage. The lot must drain water away from the home.
11. Access. The property needs safe access from a public or private street with an all-weather surface. A private road or shared driveway needs a recorded permanent easement or right-of-way to a public road. VA no longer requires a separate maintenance agreement.
12. Utilities. Each living unit generally needs its own utility service or shut-offs. This matters when you buy a duplex with a VA loan.
13. Hazards. No conditions that threaten health or safety, such as exposed wiring, broken stairs, or missing handrails.
14. Termites and wood-destroying insects. VA requires a wood-destroying insect inspection statewide in Indiana and Illinois. In Michigan, one is needed only if the VA appraisal notes signs of a problem. Active infestation and damage must be corrected.
15. Lead-based paint. For homes built before 1978, VA presumes defective paint contains lead. Chipping, peeling, cracking, scaling, or loose paint on interior or exterior surfaces must be properly remediated, usually by scraping and repainting or covering the surface. VA does not require lead testing.

Sources: VA Lender’s Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12 and Chapter 3 (ineligible loan purposes), VA Circular 26-22-17 on private roads and shared driveways, and VA wood-destroying insect requirements by state

What changed in VA property requirements in 2026?

VA trimmed five items from its property requirements in Change 46 to the VA Lender’s Handbook. The change applies to VA appraisals ordered after May 1, 2026.

• Radon gas. Removed as a standalone property requirement.
• Non-vented heaters. The separate rule for unvented heaters was removed.
• Detached improvements. Removed as a separate subtopic, along with a technical rule on Specially Adapted Housing jurisdiction.
• Lead-based paint wording. Simplified. The pre-1978 rule above still applies.

The core standard did not change. The home still has to be safe, structurally sound, and sanitary, and local health and building rules still apply.

Is a VA appraisal the same as a home inspection?

No. The VA appraisal estimates the home’s value and checks it against the MPRs. It is not a detailed inspection. The appraiser doesn’t test every outlet, climb every roof, or open every panel. A home can pass the appraisal and still have problems an inspector would catch. I recommend a separate home inspection on every purchase.

What happens if a home fails an MPR?

The appraiser lists the required repairs in the appraisal report. Those repairs must be completed before closing, and the appraiser or lender then confirms the work was done.

Who pays for repairs?

It’s negotiable. The seller often makes the repairs, since the same problems would come up with the next buyer. A Veteran can also pay for repairs. VA does not prohibit it. Your agent negotiates this in the contract.

What if the seller won’t make repairs?

You can pay for them yourself, renegotiate, or walk away under your contract terms.

Can VA waive a repair?

In limited cases, a Veteran may request that VA waive an MPR repair after the Notice of Value is issued. The lender must concur, and the property must remain safe, structurally sound, sanitary, and habitable. VA makes the final decision.

Two things to know before you ask. An inspection report from a qualified licensed professional can support the request, though VA does not require one. VA can also reduce the appraised value by the value of the waived repair, which may change your loan amount or the cash you need at closing.

Tips for buyers and agents

• Look for MPR problems before you write the offer. Peeling paint on an older home, a worn roof, and missing handrails are the most common ones.
• Agents: advise sellers to fix obvious items before listing. It prevents delays with VA and FHA buyers alike.
• In Indiana and Illinois, order the termite inspection early. It’s quick, and it can surface repairs that take time.
• Call me before you offer on a home that needs work. I can tell you what is likely to come up on the appraisal.

Frequently asked questions

Did VA change the Minimum Property Requirements in 2026?

Yes. For VA appraisals ordered after May 1, 2026, VA removed radon gas as a standalone requirement, dropped the separate non-vented heater rule, and simplified a few other items. The home must still be safe, structurally sound, and sanitary.

Is a VA appraisal the same as a home inspection?

No. A VA appraisal estimates value and checks the home against the Minimum Property Requirements. It is not a detailed inspection of every system. A separate home inspection is still a good idea.

Who pays for repairs if a home fails VA Minimum Property Requirements?

It’s negotiable. The seller often makes the repairs, but a Veteran may pay for them. The repairs must be completed before closing.

Is a termite inspection required for a VA loan?

It depends on the state. VA requires a wood-destroying insect inspection statewide in Indiana and Illinois. In Michigan, one is needed only if the VA appraisal notes signs of a problem. Active infestation and damage must be corrected before closing.

Can I buy a fixer-upper with a VA loan?

Only if the home meets the requirements by closing. Cosmetic issues like worn carpet or dated finishes are fine. Problems that affect safety, structure, or sanitation must be repaired first.

Next step

If you’re looking at a home and aren’t sure it will pass, send me the listing. I’ll tell you what to watch for before you write the offer. Call 219-695-0369 or text me at 219-758-8072.

Get prequalified here or send me a message.

New to VA loans? Start with the VA Loan Overview or see how the VA loan process works.