Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
 
Board
Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors
 
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
6/21/18  7:36 pm
Commenter: Doug Ferguson

Home Inspectors Liability
 

In response to the proposed legislation to hold home inspectors completely liable for any future claims resulting from a home inspection is absolutely agressious and will only create an atmosphere of hostility.  No other inspection trade, including local and state inspectors are held to this level of liability.  The result of this legislation will result in a drastic decline in home inspectors willing to assume this type of unlimited liability and exposure.  We are already required to afford $250,000 in Liability insurance for an average $400 Inspection  which will only serve to attract more lawsuit happy lawyers.  A home inspection is based upon many physical limitations.  Access to inaccessible spaces.  Evaluation based upon current conditions which can change in an instant.  Unforeseen conditions.  Problems arising post an inspection.  To add this kind of burden onto the shoulders of a inspector is not reasonable no more than it would be reasonable to require sellers to be held reasonable for warranting a home after the sale.   Too often, situations arise where access is not possible or has been made inaccessible by the owner who has decided not to be present during an inspection, in an attempt to cover up a problem creating a problem for an inspector to perform a  full inspection.  Conditions which may exist below grade level are not disclosed by governing authorities which may impact the property.   I became an inspector to offer over 40 years of industry wide knowledge with the hope it would prove to be a beneficial contribution to my clients.  However, I will not stay in this profession if this type of legislation is passed.  I would have to assume many other professionals will do the same.

 

 

CommentID: 65476