Confidentiality and HB 1001

The new home inspection law HB1001 addresses an important issue regarding the confidentiality of the home inspector’s report as it pertains to the buyer and his/her agent. The letter of the law reads:

Confidentiality

1. Except as otherwise required by this subsection or by law, a home inspector may not deliver a home inspection report to a person other than the client of the home inspector without the client’s consent.
2. The property owner shall have the right, upon request, to receive without charge a copy of a home inspection report from the person for whom the home inspection report was prepared.
3. If immediate threats to health or safety are observed during the course of the inspection and if the premises are occupied, the client hereby consents to allow the home inspector to disclose the immediate threats to health or safety to the property owner and occupants of the property.

Key take-away — the buyer maintains control of who sees the home inspection report. If anyone else receives the report it should only come directly from the buyer who is the home inspector’s client. Typically, the buyer grants permission in the contract for his/her realtor to receive a copy.

For a more in-depth treatment, see the article by Matt Steger of WIN Home Inspections – The Home Inspection Report — Who Does It Legally Belong To?