Home inspectors will have be licensed and meet qualifications by March 31rst. John van Dongen, minister responsible for consumers, says the legislation is key to protecting home buyers.
"A home is the single biggest investment most BC resident's make, but financial risk can be the result of incorrect or misleading reports from unqualified inspectors," said van Dongen, "...consumers need to have confidence that the person who is making the inspection has the qualifications to make a professional asssessment."
After consulting with consumers and the industry, government officials opted for licensing under the Business Practives and Consumer Protection Authority.
As of March 31, the authority will help protect buyer's interest by:
- assessing the qualifications of, and requiring mandatory licenses for, home inspectors.
- receiving and responding to complaints from consumers
- monitoring compliance through inspections and enforcement, with penalties up to $5000
Up to now, consumers have not been protected, and may have never known their inspector merely printed up cards, grabbed a flashlight and a ladder & started inspecting homes. What a scary thought that is.
One way to further protect yourself, as with hiring any professional, is to ask friends and family for a referral to someone they know and trust, after that, asking for work references from the professional and getting a detailed written record of what services you are paying them for, with a written quote, before they start the job.
Licensing information and applications will be posted on the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority website on February 27, 2009 www.bpcpa.ca
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Thanks for the update. I hope the program works well for all. And remember they can also look on active rain to read an inspector's blog for some more info on the inspector.