WHEREAS the purchase of a home is one of the most important financial commitments a person will make in his or her lifetime and obtaining a home inspection is a recognized tool, prudent and essential to assessing the condition of the home, whether new or old, and fast becoming a requirement by the financing company of the home; AND WHEREAS a home inspection may be completed by anyone who purports to be a home inspector, since there is no regulation of the industry: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of BC be urged to join with other provinces in investigating the regulation of qualified home inspectors and to implement those regulations as soon as possible.
Ministry of Forests and Range The Homeowner Protection Office is reviewing the issue of regulation of home and property inspectors. Home inspectors are just one segment of people who contribute to consumer protection and safety in the built environment. Many other professionals that contribute to safety and consumer protection risks are not certified or regulated. The Home Protection Office put on a workshop Consumer Protection for Homebuyers at UBCMs conference on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 which included an overview of HPOs work to review the issues around possible mandatory certification of home inspectors. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL Excerpt from Nov. 7, 2006 letter to UBCM President Brenda Binnie from Solicitor General John Les: As a former mayor and as someone who served on the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM, I know first-hand how important UBCM is as an organization that brings together municipalities from across the province to successfully address problems and act as a collective voice and catalyst for change. I am also familiar with the UBCM resolution in 2005 that urged British Columbia to join with other provinces in investigating the regulation of qualified home inspectors and to implement those regulations. The Province values and respects the views of the UBCM and of local governments. Protecting consumers remains a priority for our government. We want to continue to ensure that there are mechanisms in place, for consumers and businesses, that prevent problems and provide recourse in the event of a disagreement related to the quality, scope or expectations of a home inspection. To assist with this priority, government created the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority which is a not-for-profit organization delegated with responsibility for the oversight of business practices and consumer protection in British Columbia. The Authority delivers consumer protection services, promotes fairness and understanding in the marketplace and administers relevant legislation in the public interest. Consumer protection is a responsibility that is shared by others as well. In the case of home inspections, industry associations, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, lenders and others each have a role to help ensure a fair and balanced marketplace where consumers are able to make choices within the context of a free and unfettered marketplace. Regulating in the interest of consumers and business therefore remains a complex task. We are committed to fully understanding the issue and engaging stakeholders in order to hear and consider all points of view. It remains critical that the problem be specifically defined in order to ensure that any new solutions work as intended. There are a number of ways to better protect consumers and each must be carefully considered.