| Texas Inspection Firm CODE OF ETHICS FOR HOME INSPECTORS |
1. It is essential that TIF home inspectors exhibit the highest standards of honesty and
integrity in furtherance of the honor of the home inspection profession as a whole. A thorough
home inspection has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all home buyers.
Accordingly, home inspectors shall provide home inspection services in an honest, impartial and
fair manner and shall strive at all times to protect, preserve and further the health, safety and
welfare of the public. In performing home inspection services, home inspectors shall adhere to
the highest principles of ethical conduct.
2. This Code of Ethics reflects the current ethical standards for home inspectors. It is the
department’s intention that this document be a living document and that changes and updates
to this Code be made as deemed necessary by the Firm. It is the obligation of the home
inspector to ensure compliance with this Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice.
3. The elected officers (committee) of the Firm may refuse to grant or may suspend or
revoke a home inspectors membership, and may impose penalties not to exceed $500.00
dollars per violation, upon proof to the satisfaction of the committee that the holder thereof has
violated any of the standards set forth in this Code of Ethics or the Standards of Practice.
Section 1.2 Fundamental Rules
1. TIF Home inspectors, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
(a) Hold paramount and strive at all times to protect, preserve and further the
health, safety and welfare of the public;
(b) Perform home inspection services in a competent manner;
(c) Issue written reports and make statements in the context of their home inspection
duties in an objective and truthful manner. Home inspectors shall not make false or misleading
statements or omit material facts from their reports or in the context of their professional
activities;
(d) Adhere to the fiduciary duties owed each client, except as otherwise provided in
this section;
(e) Not engage in fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
(f) Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and in compliance with the
provisions of the Standards of Practice, TREC and the rules and regulations of the individual
State promulgated thereunder so as to enhance the honor, reputation and integrity of the
profession.
2. TIF Home Inspectors shall be required to cooperate with investigations by the
Departments of thoseStates which the Firm provides inspections. Each applicant or licensee
shall be obligated, on request of the Secretary of State, to supply such information as may be
required concerning his, her or its business, business practices or business methods, or
proposed business practices or methods.
Section 1.3 Ethical Rules of Practice
1. Home inspectors shall fully adhere to and comply with the provisions of Article 12-B of
the Real Property Law and all regulations promulgated thereunder.
2. Written Contracts
(a) Prior to performing a home inspection, home inspectors shall provide a client
with a written contract that clearly and fully describes the scope of service to be provided and
the cost associated with that service. All said contracts shall contain the following which shall be
in type size of not less than six point:
“TIF Home inspectors are licensed by their State in those that require it. TIF Home Inspectors
may only report on readily accessible and observed conditions as outlined in the standards of
practice. TIF Home inspectors are not permitted to make any statements or comments
concerning the adequacy or soundness of the home, its structure or systems and are not
permitted to provide engineering or architectural services.”
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall only perform services which have been duly
authorized by the client.
3. Non-Disclosure
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not disclose any facts, data or information pertaining to a
home inspection report without the prior consent of the client or the client’s representative. If,
however; immediate threats to the health or safety of an occupants or potential occupant are
observed during the course of the inspection, the home inspector may disclose those findings
without obtaining prior consent of the client or the client’s representative.
4. Unlicensed and Unlawful Activity
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not permit another to use of their name or license so
as to engage in unlicensed or prohibited activity. Home inspectors shall not associate
themselves with any business venture that they believe to be fraudulent or dishonest.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not engage in, aid or abet the unlicensed and/or
unlawful practices of home inspection, engineering or architecture;
(c) TIF Home inspectors who have knowledge of, or a reasonable belief that a
provision of Article 12-B of the Real Property Law, or the regulations promulgated thereunder
has been violated, shall report the alleged violation to the Department of State or other
appropriate authority and shall cooperate with the Department and/or authority in furnishing
such information and/or assistance as may be required.
(d) TIF Home inspectors shall not engage in unlawful and/or unethical conduct. In
the event that a client insists upon a home inspector engaging in said conduct, the home
inspector shall immediately withdraw from the assignment.
(e) Texas Inspection Firm or its employees shall not install, repair, replace or
upgrade for compensation any system or components in any house that they have inspected for
a period of not less than 4 years from the date of the inspection.
5. Competence
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not provide home inspection services beyond the
scope permitted by law or regulation and shall not accept or perform services which the home
inspector knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not delegate responsibility to another when the home
inspector delegating such responsibility knows or has reason to know that such person is not
qualified by training, experience or licensure to perform said task.
6. Written Reports
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall be objective and truthful in rendering reports and in
making other statements in the context of their professional duties. Home inspection reports
shall include all relevant and pertinent information and shall include the date when said report is
made.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall refrain from willfully making a false report or false or
misleading statements in the context of a home inspection report.
7. Conflicts of Interest
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise
their professional objectivity, or have the potential of creating an appearance that their
professional objectivity has been compromised.
Prior to accepting any home inspection assignment, TIF home inspectors shall disclose all
known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence or appear to influence the home
inspector’s judgment or the quality of the home inspector’s services.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from
more than one party for services on the same project or for services pertaining to the same
project unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed upon by all involved and
interested parties.
(c) TIF Home inspectors shall not solicit or accept financial or other consideration,
directly or indirectly from persons other than the home inspector’s client.
(d) TIF Home inspectors shall not solicit or accept an assignment or contract from a
governmental body on which a principal or officer of the home inspector’s office or organization
serves as a member.
(e) TIF Home inspectors shall not offer, give, solicit or receive, either directly or
indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by a public authority and shall
avoid activities which could reasonably be construed by the public as having the effect or intent
of influencing the award of a contract by a public authority.
(f) TIF Home inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate, in any way, real
estate brokers, real estate salespersons, real estate brokerage companies, lending institutions
or any other party or parties that expect to have a financial interest in closing the transaction, for
future referrals of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors or preferred
providers or any such similar arrangement.
(g) TIF Home inspectors shall not be influenced in their professional duties by
conflicting interests.
(h) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept financial or other consideration, such as
material or equipment, from suppliers for suggesting the use of, or promoting a specific product
in the course of performing a home inspection.
(i) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept commissions, fees or other consideration
directly or indirectly from contractors or other persons or entities dealing with clients or
employers of the home inspector in connection with work for which the inspector is responsible
for, or has reported upon.
integrity in furtherance of the honor of the home inspection profession as a whole. A thorough
home inspection has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all home buyers.
Accordingly, home inspectors shall provide home inspection services in an honest, impartial and
fair manner and shall strive at all times to protect, preserve and further the health, safety and
welfare of the public. In performing home inspection services, home inspectors shall adhere to
the highest principles of ethical conduct.
2. This Code of Ethics reflects the current ethical standards for home inspectors. It is the
department’s intention that this document be a living document and that changes and updates
to this Code be made as deemed necessary by the Firm. It is the obligation of the home
inspector to ensure compliance with this Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice.
3. The elected officers (committee) of the Firm may refuse to grant or may suspend or
revoke a home inspectors membership, and may impose penalties not to exceed $500.00
dollars per violation, upon proof to the satisfaction of the committee that the holder thereof has
violated any of the standards set forth in this Code of Ethics or the Standards of Practice.
Section 1.2 Fundamental Rules
1. TIF Home inspectors, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
(a) Hold paramount and strive at all times to protect, preserve and further the
health, safety and welfare of the public;
(b) Perform home inspection services in a competent manner;
(c) Issue written reports and make statements in the context of their home inspection
duties in an objective and truthful manner. Home inspectors shall not make false or misleading
statements or omit material facts from their reports or in the context of their professional
activities;
(d) Adhere to the fiduciary duties owed each client, except as otherwise provided in
this section;
(e) Not engage in fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
(f) Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and in compliance with the
provisions of the Standards of Practice, TREC and the rules and regulations of the individual
State promulgated thereunder so as to enhance the honor, reputation and integrity of the
profession.
2. TIF Home Inspectors shall be required to cooperate with investigations by the
Departments of thoseStates which the Firm provides inspections. Each applicant or licensee
shall be obligated, on request of the Secretary of State, to supply such information as may be
required concerning his, her or its business, business practices or business methods, or
proposed business practices or methods.
Section 1.3 Ethical Rules of Practice
1. Home inspectors shall fully adhere to and comply with the provisions of Article 12-B of
the Real Property Law and all regulations promulgated thereunder.
2. Written Contracts
(a) Prior to performing a home inspection, home inspectors shall provide a client
with a written contract that clearly and fully describes the scope of service to be provided and
the cost associated with that service. All said contracts shall contain the following which shall be
in type size of not less than six point:
“TIF Home inspectors are licensed by their State in those that require it. TIF Home Inspectors
may only report on readily accessible and observed conditions as outlined in the standards of
practice. TIF Home inspectors are not permitted to make any statements or comments
concerning the adequacy or soundness of the home, its structure or systems and are not
permitted to provide engineering or architectural services.”
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall only perform services which have been duly
authorized by the client.
3. Non-Disclosure
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not disclose any facts, data or information pertaining to a
home inspection report without the prior consent of the client or the client’s representative. If,
however; immediate threats to the health or safety of an occupants or potential occupant are
observed during the course of the inspection, the home inspector may disclose those findings
without obtaining prior consent of the client or the client’s representative.
4. Unlicensed and Unlawful Activity
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not permit another to use of their name or license so
as to engage in unlicensed or prohibited activity. Home inspectors shall not associate
themselves with any business venture that they believe to be fraudulent or dishonest.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not engage in, aid or abet the unlicensed and/or
unlawful practices of home inspection, engineering or architecture;
(c) TIF Home inspectors who have knowledge of, or a reasonable belief that a
provision of Article 12-B of the Real Property Law, or the regulations promulgated thereunder
has been violated, shall report the alleged violation to the Department of State or other
appropriate authority and shall cooperate with the Department and/or authority in furnishing
such information and/or assistance as may be required.
(d) TIF Home inspectors shall not engage in unlawful and/or unethical conduct. In
the event that a client insists upon a home inspector engaging in said conduct, the home
inspector shall immediately withdraw from the assignment.
(e) Texas Inspection Firm or its employees shall not install, repair, replace or
upgrade for compensation any system or components in any house that they have inspected for
a period of not less than 4 years from the date of the inspection.
5. Competence
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall not provide home inspection services beyond the
scope permitted by law or regulation and shall not accept or perform services which the home
inspector knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not delegate responsibility to another when the home
inspector delegating such responsibility knows or has reason to know that such person is not
qualified by training, experience or licensure to perform said task.
6. Written Reports
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall be objective and truthful in rendering reports and in
making other statements in the context of their professional duties. Home inspection reports
shall include all relevant and pertinent information and shall include the date when said report is
made.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall refrain from willfully making a false report or false or
misleading statements in the context of a home inspection report.
7. Conflicts of Interest
(a) TIF Home inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise
their professional objectivity, or have the potential of creating an appearance that their
professional objectivity has been compromised.
Prior to accepting any home inspection assignment, TIF home inspectors shall disclose all
known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence or appear to influence the home
inspector’s judgment or the quality of the home inspector’s services.
(b) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from
more than one party for services on the same project or for services pertaining to the same
project unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed upon by all involved and
interested parties.
(c) TIF Home inspectors shall not solicit or accept financial or other consideration,
directly or indirectly from persons other than the home inspector’s client.
(d) TIF Home inspectors shall not solicit or accept an assignment or contract from a
governmental body on which a principal or officer of the home inspector’s office or organization
serves as a member.
(e) TIF Home inspectors shall not offer, give, solicit or receive, either directly or
indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by a public authority and shall
avoid activities which could reasonably be construed by the public as having the effect or intent
of influencing the award of a contract by a public authority.
(f) TIF Home inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate, in any way, real
estate brokers, real estate salespersons, real estate brokerage companies, lending institutions
or any other party or parties that expect to have a financial interest in closing the transaction, for
future referrals of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors or preferred
providers or any such similar arrangement.
(g) TIF Home inspectors shall not be influenced in their professional duties by
conflicting interests.
(h) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept financial or other consideration, such as
material or equipment, from suppliers for suggesting the use of, or promoting a specific product
in the course of performing a home inspection.
(i) TIF Home inspectors shall not accept commissions, fees or other consideration
directly or indirectly from contractors or other persons or entities dealing with clients or
employers of the home inspector in connection with work for which the inspector is responsible
for, or has reported upon.
COE 1.1
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