§ 310-A:185 — Code of Ethics for New Hampshire Home Inspectors

New Hampshire § 310-A:185

• Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
• Title XXX: OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS
• Ch. 310-A: OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
• Subdivision: Home Inspectors

Text

I. The code of ethics details the core guidelines of home inspection professionalism and home inspection ethics, covering crucial issues such as conflicts of interest, good faith, and public perception. Integrity, honesty, and objectivity are fundamental principles embodied by this code, which sets forth obligations of ethical conduct for the home inspection profession.
II. Inspectors shall comply with this code, avoid association with any enterprise whose practices violate this code, and strive to uphold, maintain, and improve the integrity, reputation, and practice of the home inspection profession.
III. Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional independence, objectivity, or inspection integrity. Inspectors shall not:
(a) Inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have, a financial interest.
(b) Inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the sale of a property.
(c) Directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers, or similar arrangements.
(d) Receive compensation for an inspection from more than one party unless agreed to by the client.
(e) Accept compensation, directly or indirectly, for recommending contractors, services, or products to inspection clients or other parties having an interest in inspected properties.
(f) Repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components covered by the standards of practice, for one year after the inspection.
IV. Inspectors shall act in good faith toward each client and other interested parties.
(a) Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within their areas of education, training, or experience.
(b) Inspectors shall be objective in their reporting and not knowingly understate or overstate the significance of reported conditions.
(c) Inspectors shall not disclose inspection results or client information without client approval. Inspectors, at their discretion, may disclose observed immediate safety hazards to occupants exposed to such hazards, when feasible.
V. Inspectors shall avoid activities that may harm the public, discredit themselves, or reduce public confidence in the profession.
(a) Advertising, marketing, and promotion of inspectors' services or qualifications shall not be fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading.
(b) Inspectors shall report substantive and willful violations of this code to the board.

Legislative History

2008, 339:1, eff. July 1, 2008.