The NYS Home Inspection Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice were formally adopted on October 27, 2010. There is very specific language that MUST BE INCLUDED in your contract. Below is the link to the NYS DOS Home Inspector website page that contains the COE and Standards.
http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/homeinspect/hinspect_ethics.html
The required text is included below:
“Home inspectors are licensed by the NYS Department of State. Home Inspectors may only report on readily accessible and observed conditions as outlined in this pre-inspection agreement, Article 12 B of the Real Property Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder including, but not limited to, the Code of Ethics and Regulations and the Standards of Practice as provided in Title 19 NYCRR Subparts 197-4 and 197-5 et seq. Home inspectors are not permitted to provide engineering or architectural services.”
and
“If immediate threats to health or safety are observed during the course of the inspection, the client hereby consents to allow the home inspector to disclose such immediate threats to health or safety to the property owner and/or occupants of the property.”
NYS Home Inspector License Application can be found by clicking here…
(Needs Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 or higher to print properly)
Irrevocable Consent Form for Foreign Corporations/Individuals can be found here…
(You need this if you live or are incorporated outside NY State)