VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICE.

18 VAC 15-40-140. Conflict of interest.

A. The certificate holder shall not:

1. Design or perform repairs or modifications to a residential building on which he has performed a certified home inspection as a result of the findings of the certified home inspection within 12 months after the date he performed the certified home inspection, except in cases where the home inspector purchased the residence after he performed the inspection;

2. Perform a certified home inspection of a residential building upon which he has designed or performed repairs or modifications within the preceding 12 months;

3. Refer his client to another party to make repairs or modifications to a residential building on which he has performed a certified home inspection within the preceding 12 months; or

4. Represent the financial interests, either personally or through his employment, of any of the parties to the transfer or sale of a residential building on which he has performed a certified home inspection.

B. The certificate holder shall not disclose any information concerning the results of the certified home inspection without the approval of the client for whom the certified home inspection was performed. However, the certificate holder may disclose information in situations where there is an imminent endangerment to life and health.

C. The certificate holder will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service on the same property without the consent of all interested parties.

D. The certificate holder shall not accept nor offer commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from other parties dealing with the client in connection with work for which the certificate holder is responsible. Additionally, the certificate holder shall not enter into any financial relationship with any party that may compromise the certificate holder's commitment to the best interest of his client.

E. The certified home inspection shall not be used as a tool by the certificate holder to solicit or obtain work in another field, except for additional diagnostic inspections or testing.

NACHI Code of Ethics

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics and inspection procedures. NACHI members subscribe to the following Code of Ethics in the course of their business.

Duty to the Public: (Revised October 31, 2004)

  • The NACHI Inspector shall abide by the Code of Ethics and substantially follow the NACHI Standards of Practice.
  • The NACHI inspector will not engage in any practices that could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the home inspection industry.
  • The NACHI Inspector shall be fair, honest, impartial, and act in good faith in dealing with the public.
  • The NACHI Inspector will not discriminate in any business activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, or handicap and shall comply with all federal, state and local laws concerning discrimination.
  • The NACHI Inspector shall be truthful regarding his/her services & qualifications.
  • The NACHI Inspector will have no undisclosed conflict of interest with the client, nor will the NACHI Inspector accept or offer any undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits, or other benefit.
  • The NACHI Inspector will not communicate any information about an inspection to anyone except the client without the prior consent of the client, except where it may affect the safety of others or violates a law or statute.
  • The NACHI Inspector shall always act in the interest of the client, unless doing so violates a law, statute, or this Code of Ethics.
  • The NACHI Inspector shall use a written contract that specifies the services to be performed, limitations of services, and fees.
  • The NACHI Inspector shall comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where he/she conduct business.
  • The NACHI inspector shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to structure on which the inspector or inspector's company has prepared a home inspection report, for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems which are not included in the NACHI standards of practice.