Home Inspector Qualifications Introductory Stakeholder Meeting June 25, 2013
Introductions Today s Goals Engagement approach and plan going forward Work to date 2
Public Commitment This fall, as part of a broader consumer protection initiative, the province will consult with home inspector associations, consumers, representatives from the real estate sector and other industry stakeholders on mandatory minimum qualifications for home inspectors. The province will work with industry partners to explore minimum qualifications that would aim to: Increase transparency of the profession Ensure a minimum standard of training Improve consistency in home inspections Enhance consumer protection. MCS Release, October 1, 2012 3
Robust home inspection industry Background Ontario resale homes are expected to increase to 201,100 in 2014 (CMHC) Although the home inspection industry is relatively young, it continues to grow with more than 70% of resale homes now being inspected (Carson Dunlop/ASHI 2011 Survey) There could be as many as 140,000 home inspections next year in Ontario We want to make sure that Ontario consumers are able to make informed decisions and that Ontario home inspectors are qualified and able to compete on a level playing field Other jurisdictions have taken action Other provinces (i.e. British Columbia and Alberta) and national stakeholder organizations have taken action to set qualifications for home inspectors 32 U.S. states regulate home inspectors Canadian Standards Association initiated development of standards of practice for home inspections 4
United States Canada Ontario s Current Landscape Relationship Among Home Inspector Associations American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) US International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) US Affiliated with American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Ontario Ch apter ASHI chapters in Quebec, BC, Prairies and Atlantic Affiliated with Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada, Ontario Chapter (PHPIC) Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI National) Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (CanNACHI) National Home Inspector Certification Council (NHICC) Ontario Chapter of InterNACHI Ontario Association of Certified Home Inspectors (OntarioACHI) L Association des Inspecteurs en bâtiments du Québec (AIBQ) Teamsters In ternational US Affiliated with Alliance of Canadian Home Inspectors (ACHI) 5
Ontario s Current Landscape Relationship Among Associations and Standards of Practice 6 ASHI Standards Of Practice ASHI US NHICC PHPIC Can NACHI CAHPI National Québec (AIBQ) InterNACHI Standards of Practice Inter NACHI (Ont Chapt) OntarioACHI ICE US ACHI Ontario (OAHI) Alberta Atlantic Manitoba Saskatc hewan British Columbia OACIQ Standards Canadian Standards Association
But do consumers know Role of a home inspector? When to seek services of a home inspector? How to pick, differentiate, assess expertise of a home inspector? What is a standard inspection and what to expect? Who to turn to for help in the event of problems or a dispute with a home inspector? 7
Objectives Engagement Process Outcomes Inclusive, accessible, and democratic Raise consumer awareness about home inspections Government is a key change agent, but not the only one Protect consumers with: Standards of knowledge Access expertise Professional and ethical standards Financial protection Three stages, multiple inputs to: identify issues develop solutions seek consensus on recommendations for government Practice and performance standards Build on the strengths of the industry and raise its professionalism Recommendations based on a collective voice 8
Engagement Process Develop & Consult on Options Panel Meetings Kick-off meeting Establish Panel Stakeholder Resource Pool Findings Report to Government Public Review of Findings Report Government Consideration Proposal Public Review INPUT e.g., homeinspectors@ontario.ca Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 9
The Panel SELECTION CRITERIA Affiliation Professional Experience Diversity Availability/Commitment Broad Knowledge Consensus building Technical Expertise Political Acuity Home Inspector Organizations Alliance of Canadian Home Inspectors Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Inc. The Home Inspectors Institute (Ontario) OntarioACHI InterNACHI National Home Inspector Certification Council Ontario Association of Home Inspectors Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada (Ontario chapter) Home Inspection Companies Carson Dunlop Pillar to Post Home Inspections Mike Holmes Inspections The Home Inspection Network Real Estate Organizations Toronto Real Estate Board Ontario Real Estate Association Consumer and related organizations Consumer Council of Canada Homeowner Protection Centre Home Building and other organizations Ontario Building Officials Association Ontario Home Builders Association Professional Engineers Ontario First Nations National Building Officers Association Canadian Standards Association Other related industry HUB International Ontario Insurance Bureau Of Canada The Title Industry Association of Canada 10
Next Steps Launch homeinspectors@ontario.ca Establish a distribution list to provide ongoing updates Announce the panel by end of July Update consumer education messaging on the Ministry s website ontario.ca/consumerservices 11
Questions / Feedback 12
Short Break 13
Home Inspector Qualifications What We ve Heard So Far 14
Emerging Themes / Components Technical Professional Consumer Protection Governance and Administrative 15
Technical Technical Key Components Definition of Home Inspection Scope of Inspection Practice Standards Including Potential Subject Areas 16
Professional Professional Key Components Education and/or level of experience qualifications Designations Specializations Labour mobility and compliance 17
Consumer Protection Consumer Protection Key Components Consumers Awareness Transparency and consistency of standards/qualifications Ethical Standards Financial protection such as insurance or warranties 18
Governance and Administrative Governance Components Key Components Processes such as registration, complaint handling, and discipline Regulatory spectrum Governance structure Costs Transition strategy 19
Thank You Please feel free to send any further comments or questions to Ben Valido or Aimée Skelton at: homeinspectors@ontario.ca 20