Answer
Rent received for properties owned by the borrower is acceptable if the lender can document that the rental income is stable. Examples of stability may include a current lease, an agreement to lease, or a rental history over the previous 24 months that is free of unexplained gaps greater than three months. (Student, seasonal, or military renters, or property rehabilitation would provide such an explanation). A separate schedule of real estate is not required for rental properties, provided all properties are shown on the URLA. If the borrower resides in one or more units of a multiple-unit property and charges rent to tenants of other units, that rent may be used for qualifying purposes. However, projected rent of additional units only and not the owner-occupied unit(s) may be considered gross income only after deducting the HOC's vacancy and maintenance factor. They may not be used as a direct offset to the mortgage payments. Income from roommates in a single-family property to be occupied as the borrower's primary residence is not acceptable. Rental income from boarders is acceptable if the boarders are related by blood, marriage, or law. The rental income may be considered effective income if shown on the borrower's tax returns. Otherwise, the income only may be considered a compensating factor and must be documented adequately by the lender.

The following is required to verify all rental income:

1. Schedule E of IRS Form 1040. Depreciation may be added back to the net income or loss shown on Schedule E. Positive rental income is considered gross income for qualifying purposes; negative rental income must be treated as a recurring liability. The lender must be certain that the borrower still owns each property listed, by comparing the Schedule E with the real estate owned section of the residential loan application. (If the borrower in the same general area owns six or more units, a map disclosing the locations must be submitted evidencing compliance with FHA's seven-unit limitation. )

2. Current Leases. If a property was acquired since the last income tax filing and is not shown on Schedule E, a current signed lease or other rental agreement must be provided. The gross rental amount must be reduced for vacancies and maintenance, before subtracting PITI and any homeowners' association dues, etc., and applying the remainder to income (or recurring debts, if negative).

Vacancy factors have been developed by HOC jurisdiction:

Santa HOC - 15% vacancy rate

Philadelphia HOC - 15% vacancy rate.

Atlanta HOC - 15% vacancy rate.

Denver HOC - 10% for Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin - 15% for Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming - 20% for Arkansas, Oklahoma and Utah

Handbook 4155.1: 4.E.4.a-f