Strengthening Home Inspector Accreditation

Engagement Summary

The Province invited input on how to improve the regulatory model for home inspectors in order to strengthen home inspection accreditation and better protect consumers buying a home. Two online surveys ran from November to December 2013; one to seek consumer opinions, and the other to solicit feedback from industry stakeholders and home inspection professionals.
 
In 2009, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to license home inspectors. To be licensed, B.C. home inspectors had to first meet specific education requirements, receive appropriate practical training, pass at least one peer-test inspection review, and meet continuing education requirements set by the inspector’s association.
 

Engagement Timeframe:

November – December 2013
 

Input Received:

778 citizens responded to the public surveys and 326 home inspector surveys were completed.
 

Input leads to action:

Following consultations with both consumers and industry stakeholders, on September 19, 2014, the Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman announced that the Province would improve home inspector licensing requirements by creating a more standardized approach for home inspectors and enhancing Consumer Protection BC’s role in licensing. Read what British Columbians had to say in the consultation Summary Report.
 
In September 2016, regulations on home inspector qualifications, insurance, records, and reporting and contract requirements came into effect. The move fulfills government’s commitment to streamline the process for home inspectors who are currently governed by four different associations, each with its own requirements.
 
The Province will continue to implement changes to the licensing model.