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BREAKING IN TO DO AN INSPECTION

Had to do it last week on a vacant house, bank owned. It had a lock box hanging on the front door, with a locked storm door nobody seemed to have a key for. So the realtor tells me to break open the storm door. I of course say that I will not be liable for the damages, and then go ahead and do as requested. (Of course, NOW I have to write up that the storm door is broken...didn't think I was gonna let that one slide did ya?)

I did it, but I didn't like it, and I'm still holding my breath to see if there will be any repercussions. What do you think? Should we ever break in to do a home inspection?

Posted by KEVIN CORSA H.I.S. Home Inspections Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector on 05/21/2008 11:43 AM

Comments (21)

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21 Comments on BREAKING IN TO DO AN INSPECTION

MAY

2008

I have broke into my clients homes when they locked the deadbolt or forgot to leave the key, but I would not damage anything in th process. I would also get in writing from the agent he is taking the liability.

Ok, what's your secret? How do you break in without doing any damage?

Why take on potential liability because someone else didn't do their job?

Kevin our insurance rates are to high as it is. I would never break in reschedule next time

Shawn

Well Shawn, maybe you are right. I had the agent sign an authoization to break in, but it still made me nervous. Somebody, sometime was going to have break something to get into this house, though, but I guess it didn't have to be me.

Wow Kevin, not so sure if I would do that or not. I haven't ran accross anything like that yet, but lord knows in this business we see just about everything. But hey at least you reported that the door was broken..haha that was a good one!

Kevin, as long as I have something in writing and signed giving me permission (assuming of course that the person has the "authority" to give that permission) I would "break in." I am amazed at how often there are locks that can be credit carded or windows that are left unlocked.

Yea, if a cop would have come by when I was doing that, what could I have said? "Well, sir I was just going to do a home inspection". Cop: 'Yea right buddy,... and I'm the pope.. spread 'em"

Hi Kevin, That's a tough call. Sometimes "signed permission" isn't worth a *#@". I would probably have taken the risk as well though.

MAY

2008

Don't think I would have done that. The agent really dosen't have the authorty to have you break in. Being a bank forclosure you may get away with it. Not a good practice. My second house yesterday had the same problem with no key. The sell agent told me to try to get in and I told them when they got the house unlocked to give me a call. I also know inspectors that cut seals off gas meters and water meters but again thats not for me. In Texas part of our Standards of Pratice states the client will have the property ready to inspect.

Mike

I have had to "Jimmie" the locks several time with a credit card in order to get in to do an inspection. I ALWAYS call the real estate agent first to find out if this will be ok. It is always better to ask for permission than to ask for forgiveness.

I broke into one house with the pest control guy once. The house had obviously been used for some illicit transactions, so we made use of previous entry means being covered by planks. For a CE class, the instructor tells us to meet him at an address to go over a home for a class topic. For some reason is taking several inspectors a while to get there. One inspector noticed that the window was unlocked, so he took a look around. It is amazing how many unlocked doors and windows that I find on inspections.

The agent in my case called the bank and got permission while I was standing there, since there was no other key and no other better way to get in. So, like I said, someone would have had to do it sooner or later. The bank hasn't yet tried to blame anyone, so I guess it was ok. Hopefully this will be my last time I ever have to do that.

There are authorities that frown on cutting gas, water and electric seals. Never have done that.

I would not have broken the door . But then i have crawled through a open window once when someone locked the storm door to let in a client. So who am I to say anything/?

I would say as long as the seller gives permission it should be ok but verbal permission from someone on a phone-I don't know. Breaking and entering is breaking and entering.

I don't think I would have broken in, I would have had to come back. There is just to much liability there. Have a great weekend.

Howdy Kevin

Seen ya had permission from the own in this case a bank, you'll be ok.

I would have done the same thing, my friend.

God Bless The U.S.A.

I always ask myself the question; What is the liability that I am facing if I do this, or don't do this depending on the situation. In your case the home inspection was scheduled and the agent was standing right there. You can buy a replacement storm door handle at any local building supply for about twelve dollars. To me that is cheaper than rescheduling and having to drive back to the address a second time. In the unlikely event the bank tries to hold you responsible you will have to make the drive the second time anyway to repair the door. So, your maximum liability is twelve dollars in the worst senario and a very appreciative agent and bank contact in the best senario. I would have broken in also. Most storm doors however, are attached to the original door trim with small screws through the outside flange. If you carry a cordless screw driver you probably could have taken the door down in about five minutes without breaking it. (I used to be a builder)

MAY

2008

When in doubt, do the right thing and come back later with the right authorization! I would never, as a Realtor, let you do that!

MAY

2008

Well, David, I guess everyone has their own modus-operendi. I would have been more at ease to have walked away and come back after someone else opened the house up. Like I said though, don't know if you read that comment... we did get authorization by phone from a bank official... otherwise no way would I have considered it, no matter how many agents asked me to.

MAY

2008

Kevin - I would not have done that. If the realtor wants in then let them call a locksmith; that is their responsibility. I don't ever assume to much responsibility when it comes to something like that.

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