The new Standards are here! So easy to understand even Naven Johnson can be a Professional Inspector

The TREC adopted new Standards. They become effective in February 2009. The TREC Commissioners demanded safety and specificity. Here is what they got.

- The new SoP do not require the inspector to identify anything as hazardous or unsafe. If there is a charred conductor staring you in the face all you have to do is say "conductor at xyz is deficient".

- The old SoP and new SoP use derivatives of the words safe and hazard. Some of the word usage protects the inspector and some protects the consumer. Here is how the old and new SoP compare.

- Old SoP protects inspector 9 times
- New SoP protects inspector 8 times

- Old SoP protects consumer 11 times
- New SoP protects consumer 6 times

- The new SoP significantly reduces inspector liability by stating the inspector is NOT required to designate anything as safe. There is no comment about designating anything as unsafe.

- About 14% off the old SoP wording is disclaimer and limitation language.
- About 26% of the new SoP is disclaimer and limitation language.

FLASH A new and important Inspector Committee opinion is coming.

There have been complaints about Inspector Committee members seizing opportunity to teach continuing education regarding the new standards. One IC member is canvassing the state with a "for profit seminar" before the ink is dry on the new SoP. WOW they saw their opportunity and pursued self promotion and bucks. You have to know that the course was being prepared even before the SoP were adopted. But wait . . . there is always a way for them to soften the controversy. Just have a meeting and approve the behavior. Well on December 15, 2008 the Inspector Committee and TREC is doing just that. Agenda item number 2 discusses if a Committee member can teach a core or continuing education course. You already know the answer to that. Why by golly we cannot deprive the States inspectors from the genius of these people . .  . . . of course it's OK to teach courses . . it protects the public. This one is too easy to call. Members of the inspector committee become opportunist and Chairman Eternal calls a meeting that likely will approve their behavior. Let's wait and see what they do. I know where I placed my bet.

The Commentary is coming, the Commentary is coming.

A past inspector Committee wrote and approved a Standard and planned to support it with a Commentary. General Counsel argued that a Commentary was unenforceable because it was not adopted as a rule. That argument was used to throw out the work of that committee and to reinstall Foster as Chairman Eternal. The Foster / Willcox Committee has passed a new Standard and is now meeting to write a Commentary with the apparent approval of General Counsel! It will be interesting to see how TREC spins this hypocrisy.

Questions?

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Cahill has left home inspection?