2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 68 - REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Chapter 75 - Home Inspections
Section 7505 - Consumer remedies
(a) General rule.--The performance of a home inspection is a service that is subject to the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
(b) Prohibited acts.--Any of the following acts engaged in by a home inspector, an employer of a home inspector or another business or person that controls or has a financial interest in the employer of a home inspector shall be deemed to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice as defined by section 2(4)(i) through (xxi) of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law:
(1) Performing or offering to perform for an additional fee any repairs to a structure with respect to which the home inspector, the employer of the home inspector or such other business or person has prepared a home inspection report within the preceding 12 months, except that this paragraph shall not apply to remediation for radon or wood destroying insects.
(2) Inspecting for a fee any property in which the home inspector, the employer of the home inspector or such other business or person has any financial interest or any interest in the transfer of the property, including without limitation receipt of a commission as an agent, unless the financial interest or interest in the transfer of the property is disclosed in writing to the buyer before the home inspection is performed and the buyer signs an acknowledgment of receipt of the disclosure.
(3) Offering or delivering any commission, referral fee or kickback to the seller of the inspected property or to an agent for either or both of the seller and the buyer for the referral of any business to the home inspector, the employer of the home inspector or such other business or person.
(4) Accepting an engagement to perform a home inspection or to prepare a home inspection report in which the employment itself or the fee payable for the inspection is contingent upon the conclusions in the report, preestablished or prescribed findings or the closing of the transaction.
(c) Exception.--A home warranty company that is affiliated with or retains the home inspector does not violate subsection (b) if the home warranty company performs repairs pursuant to claims made under a home warranty contract.
(d) Remedies.--In addition to any other remedies available under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law or other applicable provision of law, the owner of a property on which repairs are performed in violation of subsection (b)(1) shall be entitled to a full refund of any moneys paid for those repairs, and any promissory note or other obligation to pay given to the person performing those repairs shall be void.
Cross References. Section 7505 is referred to in section 7513 of this title.
