| Click on any of the links below to see specific details on exactly what is inspected by Texas State Law. Standards of Practice §§535.227 - 535.233 of this title Subchapter R. Real Estate Inspectors 22 TAC §535.222 Subchapter R. Real EstateInspectors 22 TAC §535.223 Chapter 1102 , Texas Occupations Code. Below is an outline of the structures, parts, appliances, components, and items we inspect and put in an easy to read report with pictures and comments. |
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The Texas Real Estate Commission regulates what an inspector shall inspect by state law. Below are general items that are inspected.
Optional Inspections (each additional inspection has an individual fee)
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| These revisions, recommended by the Inspector Committee after three years of development, became effective February 1, 2009. The Inspector Committee created these revised rules and forms to better serve the public by giving consumers more information about property conditions and inspection limitations. Some of the more notable changes are described below. The newly adopted inspection report form looks very similar to the current form, with a few important changes. The explanatory text on the first page of the report form has been expanded to two pages to provide more information about the inspection process. That text also explains the “Deficiency” check box, which will replace the “Not Functioning or In Need of Repair” box. Inspectors will no longer be required to report issues as “Not Functioning or In Need of Repair.” Instead, they will report these issues as “Deficient” or “Deficiencies.” The Standards of Practice (the “Standards”) have been rearranged to match the order of the major systems that are subject to inspection and are covered by the report form. The Standards require inspectors to report certain items for informational purposes only and other items only if they are found to be deficient. Some of the items inspectors are now required to report (regardless of whether they are deficient) are as follows: * the type of foundation, roof covering, branch circuit conductors, and heating and cooling systems * the energy source of the heating system, cooling system, and water heater * the vantage point from which the crawl space, attic, and roof were inspected, as well as any levels of the roof that were not accessed * evidence of previous repairs to roofing materials * evidence of water penetration * the presence and approximate average depth of attic insulation and thickness of vertical insulation, where visible * static water pressure * the location of the water meter and main water supply valve * water heater capacity Inspectors will also be required to report, by marking the “D” box on the form, deficiencies they observe. The Inspector Committee sought to make the new Standards of Practice more complete by including a wider range of deficiencies in many of the sections in order to give buyers a greater understanding of the condition of the property. For instance, where possible, inspectors are now required to inspect roof covering fasteners and report as “Deficient” missing, inappropriate, or inappropriately installed fasteners. When it is not possible to observe the roof covering fasteners (for instance, because lifting shingles may cause damage to the roof covering), inspectors must tell the client at the earliest practical time that the item was not inspected and must note in the written report the reason the item was not inspected. The current list of unsafe conditions, including excessive baluster spacing and the absence of safety glass at hazardous locations, was increased to include the absence of properly functioning arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) devices at required locations (family/living rooms, dining rooms, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas). Unlike ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices, which have long been required by building codes to protect occupants from risk of shock, AFCIs have been introduced more recently to protect property from the risk of fire caused by sparks. Form OP-I, Texas Real Estate Consumer Notice Concerning Hazards and Deficiencies, addresses the safety component of the inspection. The Commission approved this form for voluntary use by all licensees. |
At its meeting on October 27, 2008, the Texas Real Estate Commission adopted revised Standards of Practice for inspectors, as well as a new required inspection report form for 1- to 4-family residential property. Continued Below |
| As of 02/01/2009 |