The following Code of Ethics is subscribed to
by all affiliates of the Home Inspection Institute who display or
refer to their affiliate status, use the Institute's logo, their
designation or certificate number. All affiliates receive instruction
in, and agree to abide by, this Code of Ethic. Affiliates status in the
course of study, and annual fulfillment of their continuing education
responsibilities.
Since the institute is not an associate, but an educational entity,
membership in quality home inspection associates is encouraged. Only
graduates in good standing may display the institute's logo, their
designation, certificate or claim number affiliation. This code
may be amended from time to time.
1. Affiliates will always act with the best interest of the client in
mind. All affiliates will conduct their inspection businesses in such a
manner as to reflect favorably upon the Home Inspection Institute and
the home inspection field.
2. Any potential conflict of interest will be disclosed in writing to
the client before any inspection work is done.
3. An affiliate may not derive benefit from any inspection other than
the inspection fee and/ or any future recommendation (s) by the client.
4. The affiliates will not offer an opinion or render a report about
a condition other than that which is reported about a condition
other than that which is known to be factual to them. Affiliates will
render properly developed, unbiased and objective opinions of condition.
reports are confidential and will not be released to any other party
without the clients permission or buy process of law.
5. Under no circumstances will affiliates offer to do repairs, do
repairs of make referrals for repairs on a property which they
inspect.
6. All affiliates will use inspection contracts or agreements that,
at a minimum list what the inspector will and will not cover in the
inspection, and a statement that the inspection is governed by the Code
of Ethics of the Home Inspection Institute, listing the Institute's toll
free number. Affiliates will provide any client upon request, with a
copy of this code.
7. Affiliates will immediately report known violations by any
affiliate to the Institute's office. Affiliates will cooperate with the
Institute in all matters, including but not limited to the investigation
or dismissal of an affiliate, who by their conduct prejudice their
professional status, the Home inspection field or the reputation of the
Home Inspection Institute.
ENFORCEMENT: The Code of Ethics of the Home Inspection Institute is
enforced by the Standards & Ethics Committee of the Institute, In
each state, that committee is appointed on an Ad Hoc basis, as a
complaint form is received. The Committee will be composed of two
experienced inspectors from within the state (not necessarily members of
the Institute) who have no personal knowledge of or acquaintance with
the Inspector who is the subject of said complaint, the President of the
Institute and one representative of the Real Estate community from
within the region who is not a home inspector. In each incidence, these
Standards & Ethics committee appoints are made in collaborative
consultation with the Director of the Institute's cooperating
educational partner or other designee within that region. Anyone may
register a complaint against any graduate by calling toll free, 1-800-783-0092
and requesting a Standard & Ethics Input Form. A written response to
each complaint form submitted will be forthcoming after a full
investigation of the facts. Anonymous complaints will of course, not be
accepted.
A copy of this Code is available from the Institute's office: Call 1-800-783-0092.