An Act relating to the registration of persons who perform home inspections; and providing for an effective date.

Updated: March 30, 2000

"An Act relating to the licensure and registration of individuals who perform home inspections; relating to home inspection requirements for residential loans purchased or approved by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; relating to civil actions by and against home inspectors; and providing for an effective date."

HB207 will protect consumers and the home inspection industry by licensing home inspectors in Alaska.

Consumers deserve assurance that the home inspector they hire is competent, and that they have recourse against inspectors that are not. HB207 accomplishes this by establishing licensing qualifications such as registration, insurance, and proof of competency via a written and practical examination. Home inspectors will also be required to provide consumers with an inspection report, using a standardized checklist comprised of elements deemed necessary by the industry for a thorough home inspection.

A faulty inspection could have serious consequences for consumers, particularly when they are buying or selling a home. Common sense dictates that home inspectors must be held accountable for their work. This limits legal actions against a licensed and registered home inspector to a written home inspection report not more than one year old and/or lawfully disclosed. Also, the penalty the court may impose is not more than $500 for each violation.

I have met with representatives from the industry who agree licensure for home inspectors is a worthy goal. It will establish a competency level which will protect the name of the profession and shield consumers from faulty inspections.

I urge you to support this legislation.

Sectional Analysis for HB 207