Home Inspection Ethics for Home Inspectors

Safe Haven Home Inspections, as a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), follows and abides by the Code of Ethics as prescribed by the Association. All Home Inspectors, regardless of whether they are a member of an organization or not, should have a written Code of Ethics that is available for their clientele to read. Without a Code of Ethics, there is the possibility of inconsistant business practices that can lead to a conflict of interest.   The fiduiciary responsibility the Inspector has to their client must be paramount in all transactions.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics and inspection procedures. InterNACHI members subscribe to the following Code of Ethics in the course of their business.

1. Duty to the Public

1. The InterNACHI member shall abide by the Code of Ethics and substantially follow the InterNACHI Standards of Practice.

2. The InterNACHI member shall not engage in any practices that could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the home inspection industry.

3. The InterNACHI member shall be fair, honest, impartial, and act in good faith in dealing with the public.

4. The InterNACHI member shall not discriminate in any business activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, or handicap and shall comply with all federal, state and local laws concerning discrimination.

5. The InterNACHI member shall be truthful regarding his/her services & qualifications.

6. The InterNACHI member shall have no undisclosed conflict of interest with the client, nor shall the InterNACHI member accept or offer any undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits or other benefit, nor shall the InterNACHI member accept or offer any disclosed or undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits or other benefit from from real estate agents, brokers or any third parties having financial interest in the sale of the property nor shall the InterNACHI member offer or provide any disclosed or undisclosed financial compensation directly or indirectly to any real estate agent, real estate broker or real estate company for referrals or for inclusion on lists of preferred and/or affiliated inspectors or inspection companies.

7. The InterNACHI member shall not communicate any information about an inspection to anyone except the client without the prior written consent of the client, except where it may affect the safety of others or violates a law or statute.

8. The InterNACHI member shall always act in the interest of the client, unless doing so violates a law, statute or this Code of Ethics.

9. The InterNACHI member shall use a written contract that specifies the services to be performed, limitations of services and fees.

10. The InterNACHI member shall comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where he/she conducts business.

11. The InterNACHI member shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to structure on which the member or member's company has prepared a home inspection report, for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems which are not included in the InterNACHI Standards of Practice.

2. Duty to Continue Education

1. The InterNACHI member shall comply with InterNACHI's current Continuing Education Requirements.

2. The InterNACHI member shall pass the InterNACHI's Online Inspector Exam once every calendar year.

3. Duty to the Profession and InterNACHI

1. The InterNACHI member shall strive to improve the Home Inspection Industry by sharing his/her lessons and/or experiences for the benefit of all. This does not preclude the member from copyrighting or marketing his/her expertise to         other Inspectors or the public in any manner permitted by law.

2. The InterNACHI member shall assist the InterNACHI leadership in disseminating and publicizing the benefits of InterNACHI membership.

3. The InterNACHI member shall not engage in any act or practice that could be deemed damaging, seditious or destructive to InterNACHI, fellow InterNACHI members, InterNACHI employees, leadership or directors. Member(s) accused of acting or deemed in violation of such rules shall be reviewed by the Ethics committee for possible sanctions and/or expulsion from InterNACHI.

4. The InterNACHI member shall abide by InterNACHI's current membership requirements.

5. The InterNACHI member shall abide by InterNACHI's current message board rules.

Questions and comments should be directed to Joe Farsetta, Ethics and Standard of Practice Committee Chairperson, at jjf10965@yahoo.com

State of Washington Code of Ethics

        ETHICS - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In order to ensure the integrity and high standard of skill and practice in the home inspection profession, the following rules of conduct and ethics shall be binding upon the inspector.

        The home inspector must:

        (1) Provide home inspection services that conform to the Washington state home inspectors' SOP.

        (2) Provide full written disclosure of any business or familial relationships or other conflicts of interest         between themselves and any other party to the transaction. The parties may include, but are not         limited to, buyers, sellers, appraisers, real estate licensees, mortgage representatives, title         companies, vendors and service contractors.

        (3) Act as an unbiased party and discharge his or her duties with integrity and fidelity to the client.

        (4) Perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within the inspector's         area of education, training, or expertise.

        (5) Not conduct a home inspection or prepare a home inspection report that knowingly minimizes,         compromises or attempts to balance information about defects for the purpose of garnering future         referrals.

        (6) Not provide services that constitute the unauthorized practice of any profession that requires a         special license when the inspector does not hold that license.

        (7) Not accept compensation for a home inspection from more than one party without written         disclosure to the inspector's client(s).

        (8) Not for one year after completion of the inspection repair, replace, or upgrade for compensation         components or systems on any building inspected - this section applies to the inspector's firm and         other employees or principals of that firm or affiliated firms.

        (9) Not provide compensation, inducement, or reward directly or indirectly, to any person or entity other         than the client, for the referral of business, inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors or preferred         providers or participate in similar arrangements. The purchase and/or use of low-value advertising or         marketing services or products that does not exceed ten dollars per item, is not considered         inducement or reward.

        (10) Not disclose information contained in the inspection report without client approval or as required         by law. However, at their discretion inspectors may disclose when practical observed safety or health         hazards to occupants or others that are exposed to such hazards.

        (11) Not advertise previous experience in an associated trade as experience in the home inspection         profession. An inspector's advertised inspection experience will reflect only the inspector's         experience as a home inspector and inspectors shall not advertise, market or promote their home         inspection services or qualifications in a fraudulent, false, deceptive or misleading manner.

        (12) Not accept a home inspection referral or perform a home inspection when assignment of the         inspection is contingent upon the inspector reporting predetermined conditions.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.280.050 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.280.050 and 18.280.060 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.280.060>(6). 09-08-014, § 308-408C-020, filed 3/20/09, effective 4/20/09.]