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SSB 1144

A bill for an act relating to home inspections, including persons authorized to perform home inspections and requirements for independent home inspection reports, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session

SSB 1144 enhances consumer protection by requiring detailed home inspection reports, imposing penalties for non-compliance, and mandating insurance for inspectors.

Subcommittee recommends passage.
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Bill Summary · SSB 1144

Summary of SSB 1144: Home Inspections Legislation

Purpose and Intent

SSB 1144 is a proposed bill aimed at regulating home inspections by establishing clear requirements for home inspectors and the reports they produce. The bill seeks to enhance consumer protection by ensuring that home inspection reports are comprehensive, accurate, and transparent, while also imposing penalties for non-compliance.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant changes and requirements related to home inspections:

  1. Home Inspection Reports:

    • Must include a detailed description of the inspection's scope.
    • Required to list any material defects identified during the inspection.
    • Must contain specific statements regarding the report's contents.

  2. Penalties for Non-Compliance:

    • Home inspectors who fail to include necessary elements in their reports may face a simple misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
    • Failure to maintain required insurance or false representation as a home inspector can lead to a simple misdemeanor for first offenses and a serious misdemeanor for subsequent offenses, with fines ranging from $105 to $855 and potential confinement for up to 30 days.

  3. Insurance Requirements:

    • Home inspectors are mandated to maintain insurance coverage for errors and omissions, with minimum coverages of $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate, and deductibles not exceeding $2,500.

  4. Limitations on Liability:

    • Contracts for home inspections cannot limit liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct, nor can they waive or modify provisions of the bill.

  5. Disclosure Restrictions:

    • Home inspection reports may only be disclosed to parties other than the commissioning individual under limited circumstances.

  6. Repair Cost Estimates:

    • Reports are prohibited from including repair cost estimates unless they specify the source, present a range, and recommend consulting a professional for repairs.

Affected Parties

The legislation primarily impacts:
- Home Inspectors: They will need to comply with new reporting and insurance requirements.
- Home Buyers and Sellers: Consumers will benefit from more reliable and transparent home inspection reports.
- Home Warranty Companies: These entities are exempt from certain provisions if they are affiliated with home inspectors and perform repairs under warranty claims.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Subcommittee Meeting: February 26, 2025
  • Committee Report: Approved and renumbered as SF 460 on February 26, 2025
  • Subcommittee Recommendation: Passage recommended on March 3, 2025

Conclusion

SSB 1144 aims to improve the standards and accountability of home inspections, thereby enhancing consumer protection in the housing market. By establishing clear guidelines and penalties, the bill seeks to ensure that home buyers receive accurate and comprehensive information about the properties they are considering.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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