RE: Code of Ethics Violation
Having a Real Estate agent or home owner request that you delete or fail to include any observed defect, violation etc. that would adversely affect the outcome of the inspection or the sale of the home. Agreeing to fix said defects “on the side” in exchange for compensation.
“Farther” vs. “Further” in Inspection Reports
by Nick Gromicko
Mr. Gromicko makes great alliteration concerning proper grammar use and its relative impact to your report. USE the software! It is an important tool to CYA!
Matthew
4/7/2017
Conflict of Interest:
A possible conflict of interest Imay be presented with could be a situation where I find a significant defect ina home, and home buyer ask me if they should by the home. This could create a ethical dilemma becausethe inspector could choose to minimize the defect, foundation, HVAC in attic, etc.to not, “kill the deal”, and remain in good standing with real estate agent. Adefect in the foundation or HVAC in attic could have major implications on thehome.
As a member of InterNACHI we shouldalways act in the best interest of our clients. In this situation and all othercases we are obligated to uphold the code of ethics.
An example of a Code of Ethics violation or conflict of interest would be a Home Inspector receiving a referral from his wife, a local Real Estate agent, who asks that the inspection report not list any issues that could prevent the property from being sold. This is not only a conflict of interest because the Home Inspector would not be an impartial, unbiased, third party. Also, a violation because the Home Inspector is being asked to go against The Code of Ethics by not having the clients best interests in mind.
Research report
I chose an article related to electrical panel inspection safety. The article highlighted the importance of staying alert and cognizant of several possible safety issues that could cause injury or death. First it is important to ensure your client is in a safe area before you remove the panel. Clients should be advised to never remove the panel themselves. Home Inspectors should ensure there is proper clearance to allow safe removal of the panel, 3ft working clearance in front and 6ft of head room. Screws used to secure the panel should never be sharp tipped, circuit breakers should be properly sized. Oxidized or corroded wires can increase the resistance to conductors and increase the chances of arcing, burned or over heated components should be noted. Evidence of water or improper bonding. The over protection device should be secured to the bus to prevent arcing. There are also two panel manufactures that should be noted due to known issues Zinco and Federal Pacific.
I was asked to do a home inspection for a repeat client. After the inspection I revealed to them that multipal violations that needed to be
corrected before the home was put up for sale. The client came to me and asked me if I would over look the violations so they could go ahead and sell
the property. I explainedthat I couldn’t do so and if they didn’t like the report I hand given them they were more then welcome to call another inspector.
By Anthony LarkinsAn example of a Code of Ethics violation or conflict of interest would be after preforming a home inspection for a client you reveal several defects in the home. Not knowing that it is a violation, the client then asks if you would be interested in doing some of the repairs and you accept.
Short research essay.
bank-owned foreclosures should have inspections preformed prior to purchasing. I worked for a company that reviewed and filed claims for bank owned properties. Every month it seamed as if something new was wrong with it. Either someone had stolen the a/c unit, or removed all the copper piping from the home resulting in major loss for the next buyers.
Hi I’m Anthony Larkins and I am doing a short essay on Barn Inpections.
I have been around live stock and barns all my life and in my research for this essay I have learned a few new thongs to look for inside my own barn.
For example I learned that cobwebs are flammable.
A real estate agent says they can get you inspections for a small fee. Violates duty to the public 6. Accepting or offering any bribes or kick backs for consideration of work.
The article I read was “A Guide to Engineered Wood Sheathing for Inspectors and DIY-ers”.
OSB is a great alternative to plywood. Its strength and durability make it perfect for use on roofs, walls, and subfloors. It is also cheaper than plywood. It makes use of smaller particles or strands of wood making it a greener product.
Hi fellow interNACHI members, my name is Omar, and today i would like to talk about the conflict of interest that may arise in working as an inspector in the home industry. By reading the interNACHI code of Ethics Course, i released that my believe that an inspector can use realtors as a means to get business can be used to get business could be a hindrance in performing your duties. A realtor always tries to make a sale, where as a home inspector always try to be transparent about the problems with the property, which could lead to loss of sale. So now you are faced with a dilemma as an inspector, but the thing to note is that, your reputation as a honest inspector will lead your current client to refer his or her friends to you, in turn getting you the business that you need. Where as being a part of realtor might get you this client but the reputation will follow and you will loose the business along with the realtor that wanted to make the sale. If any of the current inspectors have had a problem with the topic at hand please share, and add your thoughts and comments, to help future inspectors establish them self in the business without compromising their ethics.
House Raising, is a an important undertaking and a task that some times have to be done. Especially in the areas prone to frost and basement problems, a house might need to be raised and a new basement constructed. It can cause stress on existing structure and hence once the house is raised and inspector needs to be hired to check out potential problems that might have been caused due to the raising of the house.
Research Exercise
I chose to do my research exercise on the bathroom ventilation system. What a lot of people don’t understand is that the exhaust vent in the bathroom is for more than just taking away the unpleasant odors. The bathroom exhaust fan also helps to vent moisture from the bathroom. When the exhaust is not terminated properly there is potential for mold growth at the point where it does terminate. It is very note worthy and the issue should be addressed quickly.
InterNACHI Code Of Ethics
I have a real estate licensed friend whom hascontacted the company I work for to do an inspection. I show up and do the report and the roof needs to be repaired. He asks me to keep that out of the report.
That would be a code of ethics violation.
Marshall Pysher
Great information on all aspects of home inspections. I now truly understand how GFCI’s and AFCI’s work along with how main panel and circuit wiring should be done.
Hypothetical Situation Of A Possible Violation of Ethics and Conflict of Interest
An example where one as a Home Inspector would have a conflict of interest and a code of ethics violation could present itself when having to deal with a Real Estate broker. Since the real estate broker only gets compensated when a home is closed on contractually they are can be under great pressure to sale the a home quickly. Due to this pressure the Realtor might try to persuade the the Home Inspector to not disclose certain defects found on a home. A Realtor may even try to offer some sort of compensation if certain home defects are omitted.
As a home inspector one should never even consider violating the code of ethics especially if it goes against the best interest of the client and may be harmful to them at the time of their home purchase or in the future. When presented with a un-honest Realtor, a Home Inspector should make it very clear to them that they will do what’s in the best interest of the client with out breaking any laws.
A.C.
AFCI Testers Article Summary
AFCI indicators are more bulky and more expensive; up to a few hundred dollars more than GFCI indicators and are of questionable effectiveness. As their effectiveness has been questionable, they should be viewed as a complement to the test button on an AFCI, rather than a replacement.
Hypothetical conflict of interest or violation of the Code of Ethics.
By David Williams
Jon the Realtor approaches me and suggests that if I were to pay him a referral fee per inspection that he would send me all of his inspections. Doing so would constitute a conflict of interest. This sort of collusion would be a direct violation of the Code of Ethics and not allowed, furthermore him having a vested financial interest in the transaction would constitute another violation. In turn I would explain my position and tell him I would provide a concise inspection that’s prompt and professional taking care of his clients needs.
A real estate agent who I have worked with in the past ask me if I would perform an inspection on her home at a discount because she was moving and wanted to provide the perspective buyers the inspection results at open houses she was holding. I told her that I could not discount the fees because that would create a conflict of interest.