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Kenmore, WA
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[#1] Posted: 01/30/2009 - 7:03:39 PM |  |  |
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January 30, 2009 - Vancouver, B.C.
B.C. will become the first province in Canada to license home inspectors to better protect buyers and ensure qualified inspections, Solicitor General and Minister responsible for consumers, John van Dongen announced today.
“A home is the single biggest investment most British Columbians make but financial risk can be the result of an incorrect or misleading report from an unqualified inspector,” said van Dongen. “Whether they’re buying their first condo or starter home, dream or retirement home, consumers need to have confidence that the person who is doing the inspection has the qualifications to make a professional assessment.”
To date, home inspector training has been voluntary. This leaves the home buyer in a situation where they do not know if their home inspector is qualified to do the job they were hired to do. Following consultations with consumers and the industry, the Province opted for licensing under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA) and developed a model that will minimize paperwork and costs to help maximize compliance.
The regulations incorporate input from all three home inspector organizations in B.C. An estimated 300 to 400 home inspectors currently operate in the province, and most are members of at least one professional association. Effective March 31, the BPCPA will help protect the buyer’s interests, by:- Assessing the qualifications of, and requiring mandatory licences for, home inspectors.
- Receiving and responding to complaints from consumers.
- Monitoring compliance through inspections and enforcement, with penalties that can range as high as $5,000.
Licensing information and application forms will be posted on the BPCPA website on Feb. 27, after which the authority will begin accepting applications. The application forms will set out what is required for a license, such as insurance and affiliation with professional organizations.
To become licensed, home inspectors will need to meet the qualifications of either the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors – BC branch; the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia; or the National Certification Program for Home and Property Inspectors. As well, like other groups regulated by the BPCPA who work with consumers, home inspectors will require a criminal record check.
“While most inspectors are dedicated professionals, under the current system, they may have little or no qualification, which can create problems for legitimate real estate transactions,” said John Winter, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “Requiring inspectors to be licensed provides sellers and buyers with confidence that all inspections will be carried out by a qualified professional.”
HOME INSPECTION LICENSING AND COMPLAINT PROCESSES
How Home Inspectors Can Become Licensed- As of March 31, 2009, a home inspector will need to be licensed to operate in B.C. To become licensed, home inspectors will need to meet the qualifications of either the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors – BC branch; the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia; or the National Certification Program for Home and Property Inspectors.
- Licensing requirements will involve completing examinations and field experience required by these organizations.
- Licensing information and application forms will be released and posted on the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA) website on Feb. 27, 2009, after which the authority will begin accepting applications.
- The application forms will set out what is required for a license.
- Home inspectors will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
- The licence fee is $100, which will be used to cover the BPCPA’s administrative costs.
- Until March 31, 2009, home inspectors who are currently working, but have not met the requirements of a BPCPA-recognized professional association or authority, can apply to the BPCPA to have their experience, knowledge and ability assessed. After completing this assessment the BPCPA may issue a licence. At the end of two years, these “grandfathered” inspectors will be expected to meet the requirements of one of the three recognized groups noted above.
- General information about home inspector licensing is now available on the BPCPA website at www.bpcpa.ca online.
How Consumers Can File a Complaint- When hiring a home inspector after March 31, 2009, you should ask to see the wallet-sized licence that the BPCPA will have issued to regulated home inspectors.
- If you have a complaint regarding your home inspection, first, talk to your home inspector and see if he or she can address your concerns to your satisfaction.
- If you still have concerns, contact your home inspector’s professional association or authority, which may be able to help you resolve the dispute.
- Next, you can contact the provincial BPCPA for assistance, through its website at www.bpcpa.ca or by calling toll-free 1 888 564-9963.
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Kenmore, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#2] Posted: 01/30/2009 - 10:30:13 PM | | |
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To read a follow-up article in the BC press, click here.
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Kenmore, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#3] Posted: 01/31/2009 - 12:13:29 PM | | |
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Hmm,
I notice that the only associations that they are allowing are the three that are in BC and that ASHI, NAHI, AII and the soap opera are excluded. After reading these two articles, I'm left wondering if the impetus for this was the furor a year or so ago over the BC TV news reporter that managed to get herself "certified" by the soap opera after taking that non-proctored online test.
I wonder if any BC inspectors are going to want reciprocity with inspectors down here and vice versa?
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike
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Kenmore, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#4] Posted: 01/31/2009 - 12:48:47 PM | | |
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The hits keep coming quickly on this one. Here's some feedback from a BC concerned citizen to the BC Solicitor General.
OT - OF!!!
M.
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Kenmore, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#5] Posted: 02/02/2009 - 08:16:33 AM | | |
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Another follow-up, click here.
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike
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Seattle, WA
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Kenmore, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#7] Posted: 02/03/2009 - 12:15:44 AM | | |
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Hi Rich,
Isn't this the actual regulation?
OT - OF!!!
M.
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Seattle, WA
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B.C. Is First To License Canadian Inspectors
[#8] Posted: 02/03/2009 - 12:55:28 AM | | |
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OK, I didn't find that. Thanks.
I don't see anything in there about agent referrals. I also just looked through the COEs of the 3 associations and didn't see anything there either. The Q&A would suggest there was some change, but I can't find any evidence of it. I guess it does say "Realtors should provide potential home buyers...etc", not "Realtors must..."
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Richard Moore
Rest Assured Inspection Services
Seattle, WA
http://www.rainspect.com
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