HOME INSPECTORS Inspections Code Department January 22 2019

HOME INSPECTORS Inspections & Code Department January 22, 2019

HOME INSPECTORS Definition Prerequisites Suggested Changes

HOME INSPECTOR – DEFINED (SEC. 19 -78) Home inspector means any person, whether incorporated or not, except an employee of a county, municipality, or political subdivision while engaged in the performance of the duties of his or her employment, who, for consideration, whether it be the dominant or a secondary part of his or her business or the business where they are employed, inspects and reports on the condition of any home or single family dwelling or the grounds, roof, exterior surface, garage or carport, structure, attic, basement or crawl space, electrical system, air-conditioning system, plumbing, on-site sewerage disposal, pool or hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, appliances, or any combination thereof for a prospective purchaser or seller.

HOME INSPECTORS Home Inspection is NOT regulated by the State of Georgia. No pre-licensing or continuing education (CE) hours required. 18 individuals/companies licensed in Columbus in 2018.

PREREQUISITES FOR BEING A HOME INSPECTOR (SEC. 19 -79) Each person is required to present one of the following credentials: a. Certification by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI); or b. Certification from the Council of American Building Officials/International Code Council (CABO/ICC); or c. Certification for each system inspected from the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI); or d. Certification from the Housing Inspection Foundation (HIF); or e. Certification from the National Association of Property Inspectors (NAPI); or f. Certification from the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI); or g. Certification from the American Inspectors Society (AIS). Upon renewal of business license, those persons who are certified by the above organizations shall present current documentation from the certifying organization that he or she is in good standing with the organization. Those inspectors who qualified other than being certified by ASHI, CABO/ICC, SBCCI, HIF, NAPI, NAHI, or AIS, shall present evidence of four hours of continuing education taken during the preceding 12 months upon renewal of business license.

PREREQUISITES FOR BEING A HOME INSPECTOR (SEC. 19 -79) Each person shall have a current certificate of insurance for initial issue and renewal of license, of not less than the following coverage: a. $100, 000. 00 general liability, and b. Worker's compensation insurance coverage, (if applicable). Each person performing home inspection shall disclose to the consumer whether he or she has errors and omissions insurance and the limit of coverage. Each person shall have the following letters of recommendation upon initial issue of license: a. One letter of recommendation from a bank or financial institution, and b. Two letters of recommendation from an architect, engineer, building contractor, or other person connected with any construction related industry, on their business letterhead stationery.

SUGGESTED CHANGES Revise Credentials Require Continuing Education (CE) upon Business License Renewal Remove Letters of Recommendation

HOME INSPECTOR ORGANIZATIONS

SUGGESTED CHANGES Add verbiage to provide evaluation for any organizations not listed: “Anything not listed by the above organizations will be reviewed and evaluated by the Inspections & Code Department prior to issuance of Business License. ” Add verbiage for new requirements on renewals: “Upon renewal of business license, those persons who are certified by the above organizations or approved equal shall present current documentation from the certifying organization that he or she is in good standing with the organization and shall present evidence of four hours of continuing education (CEU) taken during the preceding 12 months. ” Remove letters of recommendation for initial issue of license

COMMENTS With the State of Georgia having no guidelines to regulate Home Inspectors, The City of Columbus has depended on these local requirements for Home Inspectors. Checked with other jurisdictions and only a few even had additional requirements other than obtaining a Business License.

HOME INSPECTORS Inspections & Code Department January 22, 2019