FAQs
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As of March 31, 2009, home inspectors require a licence with Consumer Protection BC to practice in the province. Q. Why was Consumer Protection BC chosen to regulate and license this industry?
A. The purpose of Consumer Protection BC is to deliver consumer protection services, promote fairness and understanding in the marketplace and enforce consumer protection laws in BC. The primary focus of home inspector licensing is to protect consumers. This is consistent with the mandate of Consumer Protection BC. A. Home inspectors must meet the requirements of ONE professional home inspector association or authority acceptable to the director of Consumer Protection BC. Please visit our Designated Associations page to find a list of those associations and authorities. A. We want to let home inspectors choose which association or authority best meets their needs. A. No. Home Inspection licensing only applies to consumer transactions that are primarily personal, family or household and conducted on a residential dwelling. Commercial properties are exempt. Property inspectors doing home inspections in the course of a consumer transaction must have a licence. Inspections done for business purposes (e.g. insurance companies, mortgage lenders, etc.) are not included in this legislation. A. Consumers pay for a service and this service should not be compromised or influenced by another person with an interest in the property. Realtors should provide potential home buyers with the website or telephone number of Consumer Protection BC, or one of the acceptable associations or authorities that have contact information for licensees or members. A. Home inspectors and home buyers have been asking for regulation for several years. Licensing is an assurance to home buyers that the person they hire has the education and training necessary to provide good service. The home inspector also has the backing of a professional organization that ensures the home inspector follows their standards of practice and code of ethics. A. Home inspectors must keep your home inspection report confidential – not sharing it with another home buyer or real estate agent without your permission. The law also prohibits conflict of interest, so your home inspection report will be unbiased. Because a home inspector provides vital information that can be critical to the decision to purchase a home, and because these individuals have access to a home and the homeowner’s belongings, Consumer Protection BC will require home inspectors to have criminal record checks. Home inspectors will also be required to have insurance to cover damage or serious errors and omissions. A. You should ask a home inspector to show you a current licence issued by Consumer Protection BC. You can also check our Home Inspectors Search or call us to verify that your home inspector is licensed. The home inspector’s licence number must be shown in all advertisements, on the contract and on the written report. A. Please visit this page on our website to find out more about how to handle a complaint. You can also contact Consumer Protection BC for assistance at 1-888-564-9963. |
