This afternoon, I (along with several other members of Ontario’s Expert Panel on Home Inspections) attended a press conference regarding the regulation of home inspectors in Ontario. The first speaker was MPP Han Dong, who, earlier this year, introduced a private member’s bill (Bill 165) to license home inspectors. That bill, it appears, will likely not see a third reading as it is effectively being replaced by a government bill that would serve the same purpose. Mr. Dong introduced Minister Marie-France Lalonde, the new Minister of Government and Consumer Services. Minister Lalonde spoke of the importance of home inspections and the gap that exists in the existing real estate industry given that all other professionals in the industry are licensed, but home inspectors are not. Minister Lalonde indicated that legislation to regulate home inspectors in Ontario would be introduced by the government this fall.
Listen to the announcement on Soundcloud by clicking on the link below. You may need to turn up the volume:
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/278692030″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]At the end of the announcement, there are questions from the media regarding the cost of such a program, and who would bear the cost. Minister Lalonde addresses these issues as well as the issue of part-time inspectors and inspectors in remote communities.
Following is the text of the Ministry’s press release:
News Release
Ontario to License Home Inspectors
New Law Would Strengthen Consumer Protection, Level Playing Field for Business
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Today, Minister of Government and Consumer Services Marie-France Lalonde announced Ontario’s intent to introduce legislation this fall that would, if passed, regulate the province’s home inspection industry in order to better protect consumers.
If passed, the proposed changes would:
- Require home inspectors to be licensed with proper qualifications
- Set minimum standards for contracts, home inspection reports, disclosures, and the performance of home inspections
- Establish an independent Administrative Authority to administer and enforce the home inspection licensing legislation and associated regulations
These changes would ensure consumers benefit from quality advice, are protected from surprise costs and aware of safety issues before buying a home. This will also create a level playing field for the home inspection industry, preventing inspectors with little or no training from competing with qualified professionals by offering lower rates.
Protecting Ontario’s consumers is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- Home inspectors are one of the only professionals involved in a real estate transaction who are not provincially regulated.
- Approximately 65 per cent of resale homes sold annually receive a home inspection.
- There are approximately 1,500 home inspectors in Ontario.
- The proposed legislation the government intends to introduce was based on 35 recommendations made by a 16-member expert panel which were then supported by both industry and consumers.
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The press release can be found here: https://news.ontario.ca/mgs/en/2016/08/ontario-to-license-home-inspectors.html
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