Houspect WA is very pleased to announce that it is one of the Foundation Members of the newly formed Industry Association of Building and Property Inspectors in Western Australia Inc – Inspect WA. 

Given the enormous diversity of building and property inspectors in WA, Houspect WA was a strong supporter to see a truly inclusive industry association being formed to assist in progressing the interest of industry stakeholders.  

Background on the Association includes:

1        Vision

WA’s peak body representing professional independent building and property inspection businesses.

2        Mission

To provide leadership on key issues impacting the building and property inspection industry and promote those considered views in key forums such as:

• Legislative/Code/Building Commission, Fair Trading and Consumer Protection
• Australian Standard development forums
• Broader Industry user forums (REIWA, AIB, AIBS, MBA, HIA)
• Industry self-regulation forums
• Forums where the interest of our end clients need to be represented, especially where that representation is not currently provided.
• To promote excellence, professionalism and safety in the inspection industry by fostering best practice work and corporate standards.
• The initial focus will be on Building and Pest Inspections but it is envisaged that this will be expanded over time to include a range of building and property inspection professions such as, Electrics, Plumbing, Gas, Asbestos and Drug.

3        Objectives 

• To be a representative body for professional building and property inspection organisations in Western Australia 
• To promote and represent the industry as professional and quality service providers 
• To represent the industry in legislative and regulatory development 
• To represent the industry in forums and discussion groups that: 
  • Are likely to utilise the services of building and property inspectors 
  • Are impacted by building and property inspection reports 
• To represent the interest of our industry clients in WA forums where those interests may not currently be represented. Clients would include: 
  • Property owners, buyers, sellers, owners and those engaging builders to build on their behalf 
  • Strata Companies & Strata Managers 
• To promote quality building and property inspection practices across WA. 
• To promote standards of competence and performance for building and property inspections such that: 
  • The Association standards are recognised 
  • The Association members are recognised as being competent and self-regulated 
• To facilitate the exchange of information between members relating to the issues which impact on the professional inspection of buildings and properties 

4        Members Code of Ethics 

• A member shall act in an impartial, honest manner and in the interest of their clients. 
• A member shall not offer services or express opinions beyond their capabilities and qualifications. Members should disclose their experience, qualifications and or Registrations in their engagement documentation and reports so as to demonstrate the validity of their opinions and capabilities. 
• A member should do their utmost to avoid a conflict of interest and shall disclose a conflict of interest with a client as soon as that conflict becomes apparent. 
• The members should not offer or receive commissions or payment from any party other than the client in conjunction with an inspection of a property. 
• A member shall not make an un-solicited offer to undertake remediation work identified and recommended in their report.
• A member shall not accept payment from a contractor for the referral of remediation work identified and recommended in their report. 
• A member should disclosure to their clients the status of all Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurances prior to being engaged by that client so that the client can make an informed decision. 

Houspect is aware that the Association is already making some great progress on developing industry position papers which aim to improve the quality and consistency. 

All Houspect WA building inspectors are Foundation Members of the Association.

The Association has already attracted a number of members and while still in its embryonic stage the prospects for the Association and the industry look very solid. 

See more at: www.inspectwa.org.au

September 2019 

Build, Buy, Invest in property with confidence.  Ph 9240 8855 Web: www.houspect.com.au/wa Email: info.wa@houspectwa.com.au