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Virginia Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 10, 2017) |
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Title 18. Professional and Occupational Licensing |
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Agency 15. Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors |
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Chapter 40. Virginia Certified Home Inspectors Regulations |
Section 130. Certified home inspection report
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A. Certified home inspection reports shall contain:
1. The name, business address and telephone number of the certificate holder as well as his certificate number and expiration date;
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the client or the client's authorized representative, if available at the time of the inspection;
3. The physical address of the residential properties inspected; and
4. The date, time (to include both start and finish times of the inspection), and weather conditions at the time of the certified home inspection.
B. In conducting a certified home inspection and reporting its findings, the certified home inspector, at a minimum, shall inspect the condition of and shall describe in writing the composition/characteristics of the following readily accessible components and readily observable defects, except as may be limited in the certified home inspection contract agreement:
1. Structural system.
a. Foundation.
b. Framing.
c. Stairs.
d. Crawl space, the method of inspecting the crawl space shall be noted and explained in the inspection report. If the crawl space cannot be inspected, the certificate holder shall explain in the inspection report why this component was not inspected.
e. Crawl space ventilation and vapor barriers.
f. Slab floor, when present.
g. Floors, ceilings, and walls.
2. Roof structure, attic, and insulation.
a. Roof covering. The method of inspecting the roof covering shall be noted and explained in the inspection report. If the roof covering cannot be inspected, the certificate holder shall explain in the inspection report why this component was not inspected.
b. Roof ventilation.
c. Roof drainage system, to include gutters and downspouts.
d. Roof flashings, if readily visible.
e. Skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations, but not antennae or other roof attachments.
f. Roof framing and sheathing.
g. Attic, unless area is not readily accessible.
h. Attic insulation.
3. Exterior of dwelling.
a. Wall covering, flashing, and trim.
b. Readily accessible doors and windows, but not the operation of associated security locks, devices, or systems.
c. Attached, or adjacent and on the same property, decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, carports, and any associated railings, but not associated screening, shutters, awnings, storm windows, garages, or storm doors.
d. Eaves, soffitts, and fascias where readily accessible from ground level.
e. Walkways, grade steps, patios, and driveways, but not fences or privacy walls.
f. Vegetation, trees, grading, drainage, and any retaining walls in contact with or adjacent to the dwelling that may affect the dwelling.
g. Visible exterior portions of chimneys.
4. Interior of dwelling.
a. Readily accessible interior walls, ceilings, and floors of dwelling and any attached or adjacent garage.
b. Steps, stairways, railings, and balconies and associated railings.
c. Countertops and installed cabinets, including hardware.
d. Readily accessible doors and windows, but not the operation of associated security locks, devices, or systems.
e. Garage doors and permanently mounted and installed garage door operators. The automatic safety reverse function of garage door openers shall be tested, either by physical obstruction as specified by the manufacturer, or by breaking the beam of the electronic photo eye but only when the test can be safely performed and will not risk damage to the door, the opener, any nearby structure, or any stored items.
f. Fireplaces, including flues, venting systems, hearths, dampers, and fireboxes, but not mantles, fire screens and doors, seals and gaskets.
g. Solid fuel burning appliances if applicable.
5. Plumbing system.
a. Interior water supply and distribution systems, including water supply lines and all fixtures and faucets, but not water conditioning systems or fire sprinkler systems.
b. Water drainage, waste, and vent systems, including all fixtures.
c. Drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
d. Water heating equipment, including energy source and related vent systems, flues, and chimneys, but not solar water heating systems.
e. Fuel storage and distribution systems for visible leaks.
6. Electrical system.
a. Service drop.
b. Service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
c. Service equipment and main disconnects.
d. Service grounding.
e. Interior components of service panels and sub panels, including feeders.
f. Conductors.
g. Overcurrent protection devices.
h. Readily accessible installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
i. Ground fault circuit interrupters.
j. Presence or absence of smoke detectors.
k. Presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring.
l. Arc fault interrupters shall be noted if installed but not tested if equipment is attached to them.
7. Heating system.
a. Heating equipment, including operating controls, but not heat exchangers, gas logs, built-in gas burning appliances, grills, stoves, space heaters, solar heating devices, or heating system accessories such as humidifiers, air purifiers, motorized dampers, and heat reclaimers.
b. Energy source.
c. Heating distribution system.
d. Vent systems, flues, and chimneys, including dampers.
8. Air conditioning system.
a. Central and installed wall air conditioning equipment.
b. Operating controls, access panels, and covers.
c. Energy source.
d. Cooling distribution system.
C. Systems in the home that are turned off, winterized, or otherwise secured so that they do not respond to normal activation using standard operating controls need not be put into operating condition. The certified home inspector shall state, in writing, the reason these systems or components were not tested.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2011.