FHA Waiting Periods After Derogatory Credit
Here is what FHA actually requires for waiting periods after derogatory credit in 2026, in plain English.
The rule for 2026
FHA waiting periods are 2 years after Chapter 7 bankruptcy, 1 year into a Chapter 13 plan, 3 years after foreclosure, and 3 years after a short sale (none if you were never late).
FHA sets this baseline, but approved lenders can add stricter "overlays." Meet the FHA standard first, then confirm whether your lender layers anything on top.
Documentation you'll need
- 30 days of pay stubs and two years of W-2s or tax returns
- Two months of bank statements
- Photo ID and Social Security number
- Letters of explanation for any credit events or large deposits
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Frequently Asked Questions
- FHA Waiting Periods After Derogatory Credit — what's the bottom line for 2026?
- FHA waiting periods are 2 years after Chapter 7 bankruptcy, 1 year into a Chapter 13 plan, 3 years after foreclosure, and 3 years after a short sale (none if you were never late).
- Do all lenders apply this the same way?
- No. FHA sets the floor, but individual lenders may require higher credit scores or stricter terms.