Data access and governance is essential to digital transformation. Data standards were developed with the cooperation of DUS Lenders and industry participants. Structured data from these reports will enable more efficient reviews and seamless data delivery.

The Multifamily Selling and Servicing Guide requires the delivery of standardized data sets as supplements for the following report types:

  • Property Condition Assessment;
  • Environmental Site Assessment (Environmental Database Review, Environmental Screening, Phase I and Phase II);
  • Zoning Report; and 
  • Seismic Risk Assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions – Technical

Structured data sets must include the Fannie Mae Multifamily Deal Identifier from DUS Gateway or other acquisition systems. Since only Lenders have access to these Fannie Mae systems, Lenders and Third-Party Report Vendors should agree on a process to share this Deal Identifier information and include it in the structured data sets.

The Collateral Reference Number is an optional data field hence it doesn’t need to be included in the structured data sets. However, for multi-asset deals, the Collateral Reference Number is recommended.

Yes, structured data sets need to adhere to a file naming convention. DUS Data Digitizer will not allow the upload of structured data sets that do not adhere to the prescribed file naming convention.

The file name must include the Deal Identifier followed by the symbol “_” and the three-letter initials for the Third-Party Report Type (PCA, ESA, SRA and ZON). Other characters can be included if another “_” precedes them.

Examples of acceptable file names follow:

  • 123456_PCA_1.xml
  • 123456_ESA_2.csv
  • 123456_Zon_3Abc.xml
  • 123456_SRA_4Def.csv

The Fannie Mae DUS Third-Party Report Specifications Package includes two sets of templates (XSD and Excel) and two sets of sample data files (XML and CSV) for each Third-Party Report. Fannie Mae will, therefore, be able to accept XML data files, CSV data files or a combination of both formats.

Yes, only in CSV format. Data is expected for all reports not beyond row 11. Additional data is expected in rows 12-97 for the Property Condition Assessment.

PCA structured data sets including a Capital Item Category whose Capital Items do not belong in that Category will be rejected.

No. Vendors do not have access to DUS Data Digitizer and rely on Lenders to upload data files and receive feedback on data files. If a file has data quality issues, DUS Data Digitizer will generate a list of Errors and Warnings that Lenders may share.

No. Data sets cannot be replaced once submitted to DUS Data Digitizer. The application saves every submission and the corresponding system time stamp.

No. Since the Collateral Reference Number is an optional data point, its absence doesn’t trigger any errors or warnings. If included, however, the Collateral Reference Number must be correct to prevent errors or warnings. The Errors and Warnings summary must be reviewed to see the issue(s) that triggered warning(s).

Frequently Asked Questions - Business

The requirement went into effect for all reports with a Third-Party Report Signature Date of September 30, 2020 and later. The requirement is now subject to the commitment date effective January 25, 2021 but doesn’t supersede the prior requirement.

No, we will not reject your deal through the acquisition certification process if your deal is missing a structured data set. Nonetheless, we will expect all applicable structured data sets shortly after certification.

Lenders can upload structured data sets to DUS Data Digitizer after the deal is registered on DUS Gateway.

Not necessarily as long as all artifacts are delivered by closing date. Structured data sets must be delivered solely through DUS Data Digitizer while report narratives and other loan documents must still be delivered through DUS DocWay.

Structured data sets are required for both acquisitions and refinances.

Structured data sets are required for forward commitments as follows:

Report

New Construction

Substantial Rehab

PCA

Before conversion

Before commitment and before conversion

ESA

Before commitment and before conversion

Before commitment and before conversion

SRA

Before commitment

Before commitment

ZON

Before commitment

Before commitment

Yes. The requirement for the narratives for Third-Party reports has not changed.  Structured data sets are required to supplement report narratives.

Yes. The requirement for the site inspection and its corresponding MBA Master Inspection Form has not changed.

Yes. Structured data supplements are required for Streamlined Property Condition Assessments. The technical specifications work for both the Base Property Condition Assessment and the Streamlined Property Condition Assessment.

Not always. The Multifamily Selling and Servicing Guide requires delivery of structured data sets including report narratives if Lenders order Zoning Reports.

Third-Party Report Vendors submit the structured data sets and report narratives to the Lenders. Then, the Lenders submit the structured data sets to Fannie Mae using DUS Data Digitizer and report narratives using DUS DocWay.

Yes. Structured data supplements are required for specialty assets such as Seniors, Students, etc. Additionally, PCA Modules corresponding to specialty assets will continue to be required.

Yes. The Environmental Site Assessment data set works for Small Mortgage Loan Environmental Screenings too.

Technology Terms & Conditions

The Technology Terms and Conditions previously provided on this page are now located in the new Consolidated Technology Guide. A PDF version of the Guide and other related content is available on the Consolidated Technology Guide page.