Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why does Sentinel need to complete a Plumbing System Integrity Verification?

Sentinel Field Services, Inc. is responsible for maintaining and preserving the HUD-owned property. The Plumbing System Integrity Verification ensures the plumbing system is capable of holding water without damaging the property. Especially in areas where pipes can freeze, the Plumbing System Integrity Verification is another level of protecting the asset.

What does the Plumbing System Verification cover?

A trained Sentinel contractor will perform a physical inspection of the plumbing system, water heater and fixtures inside the home. Once this is complete, the contractor will use an air compressor to pressurize the plumbing system in order to determine if any leaks or damages are present (if the system can hold air, it will hold water). Once the contractor determines the plumbing system is intact, the contractor will turn on the water to the property. If the contractor discovers any damages, the contractor will not turn on the water to the property.

Why does the property need to be de-winterized?

One way Sentinel can ensure the property remains free from freeze damage during the winter months is by winterizing the home. This means purging the plubming system of water and placing antifreeze in drains and toilets. Before activating the water, a trained Sentinel contractor will ensure the plumbing system is sound by performing a Plumbing System Integrity Verification. Once the contractor determines the plubming system is intact, the contractor will turn on the water. In addition, the contractor will fill the water heater and turn it on.

Why does the property need to be re-winterized?

Sentinel Field Services, Inc. is responsible for maintaining and preserving the HUD-owned property. Active utilities and not winterizing a vacant property significantly increases the risk of damage, especially when these damages can go unnoticed because the property is empty. For example, a broken pipe can flood a basement in just a few short hours. Deactivating the utilities and re-winterizing the vacant property significantly reduces this risk.

Why does Sentinel charge a fee for the Plumbing System Integrity Verification and Re-winterization?

Our contract with HUD is for the preservation and maintenance of HUD-owned properties and facilitating a buyer-inspection prior to close is above and beyond the terms of our contract. However, in keeping with HUD’s goal of promoting home-ownership, Sentinel allows the buyer to temporarily activate utilities for this inspection as long as we are able to fulfil our primary duty of perserving the property. The Plumbing Sytem Integrity Verification and Re-winterization are extra services we provide to the buyer and incur some costs. Sentinel charges a fee to cover the costs associated with the Plumbing System Integrity Verification and Re-winterization.

What happens now?

At this point, you will need to read through the terms and conditions associated with the Plumbing System Integrity Verification and Re-winterization services. These terms and conditions outline the procedure and what you can expect from Sentinel. Please read the terms and conditions carefully and click on “Agree” to continue with the request. Once the request is submitted, Sentinel will process the request and send your authorization letter via e-mail.

Why do I have to pay for these services?

Our contract with HUD is for the preservation and maintenance of HUD-owned properties and facilitating a buyer-inspection prior to close is above and beyond the terms of our contract. However, in keeping with HUD’s goal of promoting home-ownership, Sentinel allows the buyer to temporarily activate utilities for this inspection as long as we are able to fulfil our primary duty of perserving the property. The Plumbing Sytem Integrity Verification and Re-winterization are extra services we provide to the buyer and incur some costs. Sentinel charges a fee to cover the costs associated with the Plumbing System Integrity Verification and Re-winterization.

Who pays the utility usage fees?

HUD requires all utilities to be deactivated. You will be temporarily activating the utilities in your own name. Therefore, you are responsible for all activation, usage and deactivation fees for each utility.

What if there are damages at the property (such as broken pipes)?

If the property is damaged in such a way where activating certain utilities would cause additional damage to the property (such as broken pipes), Sentinel will not authorize activation of these utilities.

What if activating the utilities causes damage to the property?

By agreeing to the terms and conditions associated with the utility activation authorization, you are accepting a certain level of responsibility for the property. If activating any of the utilities causes damage to the property or to neighboring properties, you accept responsibility for those damages.

Why would a property NOT need winterizing?

A HUD-owned property does not need to be winterized if the following conditions exist:

• During the summer months (April to September)
• The property is in Hawaii
• The property is in the California at an elevation under 2000 feet above sea level

HUD-owned properties should be winterized during winter months (October to March) and properties in Alaska need to be winterized year-round.

What contact information should I include?

In order to effectively coordinate activating utilities, Sentinel asks that you provide your name, phone number and e-mail address as well as the name, phone number and e-mail address of your real estate agent and the listing agent. This will ensure that everyone with an interest in your purchase of the property are aware of the inspection and the utility activation. In addition, to help save costs, we often ask your sales agent to meet representatives from the local gas company to provide access to the property so the gas company can perform their pre-activation inspection and light the pilot light on the furnace.

Why do I have include contact information for my real estate agent (sales agent)?

To help save costs, we often ask your sales agent to meet representatives from the local gas company to provide access to the property so the gas company can perform their pre-activation inspection and light the pilot light on the furnace.

Why do I have to include contact information for the listing agent?

The listing agent is HUD’s representative for the sale of the property. It is the listing agents responsibility to ensure closings proceed according to contract and can provide another level of support as you prepare to close on your new home.

Who is my listing agent?

You can find the listing agent’s contact information on the HUD Home Store website.

1. Go to the HUD Home Store.
2. Enter the property address or FHA Case Number in the “Search Properties” section.
3. Click on the property’s picture to open the Property Details.
4. Click on the “Agent Info” tab.
5. Look under the “Listing Broker” section for the listing agent and his/her contact information.

Why would I be contacted?

Occasionally, Sentinel may need to contact you in order to better coordinate dates of activation, deactivation or inspection.p>

How will I receive my authorization letter?

Sentinel will prepare your authorization letter and notify you via e-mail when it is ready for you to download.

I plan on closing shortly after the inspection. Do we really need to re-winterize the home?

Too many issues can come up to delay a closing. Sentinel’s main focus is to protect the property from damage. Re-winterizing the property is our way of ensuring your new home remains free from freeze damage.

The home I am looking at has a boiler or radiant heat. What do we do in these situations? Do they need to be winterized?

Yes. Sentinel will include any boiler and/or radiant heat system with our Plubming System Verification, de-winterization and re-winterization services.

What if the property has a well? What do I mark?

If the property has a well and your inpsector needs to test the plumbing system, then place a checkmark in the “Water” box for the utilities you would like activated. This way, our vendors can test the integrity of the plumbing system and activate the well for you.