View Full Version : Home Inspection
pindahark
Feb 7, 2009, 12:12 PM
Hi, I am wondering if I will be covered for any liability if I during the sale of my home, I have presented the buyer with an inspection report that was the result of an inspection by an unlicensed home inspector. The inspection covered everything in the home inspection checklist (http://AccurateInspections.com/homeinspectionchecklist.htm) and was done recently. There were some things that I had to repair and upgrade based on the inspection and I believe that the property is up to snuff. But have I potentially misrepresented the property because the inspector was not licensed by ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors? I found out later that it was recommended to get a home inspector that had a license issued by ASHI. If I'm not covered, I will definitely get another done. Thanks for any advice on this matter!
raveenboy
Feb 7, 2009, 12:29 PM
If you are selling your home to a third party they should hire a home inspector of their own choosing. It is recommend to use an accredited inspector but you as the seller should NEVER give a report to the buyer. Require the buyer to hire their own inspector at their own cost. Even if you hire the most decorated inspector in the US and you give the report to the buyer and anything is overlooked then you open yourself up to liability. It should be the buyers sole choice and responsibility to choose the inspector. Don't even recommend an inspector.
pindahark
Feb 7, 2009, 12:50 PM
If you are selling your home to a third party they should hire a home inspector of their own choosing. It is recommend to use an accredited inspector but you as the seller should NEVER give a report to the buyer. Require the buyer to hire their own inspector at their own cost. Even if you hire the most decorated inspector in the US and you give the report to the buyer and anything is overlooked then you open yourself up to liability. It should be the buyers sole choice and responsibility to choose the inspector. Don't even recommend an inspector.
Thanks -- very good advice! I will do that.
excon
Feb 8, 2009, 05:13 AM
Hello pin:
As a seller, you are required to inform the buyer of any known defect. If the buyer finds a defect, and finds out that you used an UNLICENSED inspector, THAT may be construed to mean that you intentionally withheld information about a known defect.
excon
Fr_Chuck
Feb 8, 2009, 06:01 AM
Yes as the seller the last think you want to do is give them an inspection saying this is the condition, since if it is not, you have produced a level of warranty and have made yourself liable.
You allow them to hire an inspector of their choice,
Next using an unlicensed inspector is asking for trouble, if there was a problem and they missed it, do they have eorros and ommission coverage, do they have liablity coverage,