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Initial Secure Orders for the Property Preservation Industry specify the services to be performed until the property is conveyed back to the lender or the agency which insured the loan. The contractor is to follow the HUD guidelines to preserve and protect the property from deteriorating or suffering any damage until conveyance.
As HUD has very generic guidelines, the servicing companies have taken it upon themselves to “define” what an initial secure is. As a result, “initial secure” has become a playground where servicing companies try to out-do their competitors. Although HUD specifies the basics – preserve and protect, you are likely to see such services as the following listed on an initial secure work order:
Clean kitchens and bathrooms thoroughly, including all fixtures and surfaces of toilets, toilet bowls, tubs, showers, mirrors, etc. Use a disinfecting cleaner that does not leave a residue.
Tape down toilet seat lids on winterized properties when finished.
Clean all glass doors. Clean window ledges.
Sweep interior floors, mop vinyl floors, and vacuum carpeted floors, rugs, stairs, closets, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach areas.
Place air freshener in every kitchen and in each bathroom. Pine, lemon, or floral scents are usually preferred.
Sweep porches, garages or carports, and entries leading into property.
Sweep out fireplaces and/or fireboxes to remove ashes or residue. Close damper.
Pick up and properly dispose of all debris from interior, including miscellaneous trash on porches and in closets and cabinets.
Remove all broken glass from any broken windows and board those windows.
Remove and properly dispose of all debris and personal property, unless otherwise instructed.
You will not find any of these in the HUD specs. The company that issues the work order should have a contractors’ manual or checklist for you to follow.