RL 134.02 General Requirements. (1) A home inspector shall perform a
reasonably competent and diligent home inspection of the readily accessible
installed systems and components required to be inspected under s. RL 134.03 to
detected observable condition of an improvement to residential real property. A
reasonable competent and diligent home inspection is not required to be
technically exhaustive.
(2) This section does not require a home inspector to do any of the following:
(a) Offer a warranty or guarantee of any kind.
(b) Calculate the strength, adequacy or efficiency of any component of an
improvement to residential real property.
(c) Enter any area or perform any procedure that may damage an improvement to
residential real property or a component of an improvement to residential real
property, or enter any area or perform any procedure that may be dangerous to
the home inspector or to other persons.
(d) Operate any component of an improvement to residential real property that is
inoperable.
(e) Operate any component of an improvement to residential real property that
does not respond to normal operating controls.
(f) Disturb insulation or move personal items, furniture, equipment, vegetation,
soil, snow, ice or debris obstructs access to or visibility of an improvement to
residential real property or a component of an improvement to residential real
property.
(g) Determine the effectiveness of a component of an improvement to residential
real property that was installed to control or remove suspected hazardous
substances.
(h) Evaluate acoustic characteristics of a component of an improvement to
residential real property.
(i) Project or estimate the operating costs of a component of an improvement to
residential real property.
(j) Predict future conditions, including the failure of a component of an
improvement to residential real property.
(k) Inspect for the presents or absence of pests, including rodents, insects and
wood-damaging organisms.
(l) Inspect cosmetic items, underground items or items not permanently
installed.
(m) Inspect for the presence of any hazardous substances.
(n) Disassemble any component of an improvement to residential real property,
except for removing an access panel that is normally removed by an occupant of
residential real property.
(3) This section does not prohibit a home inspector from doing any of the
following:
(a) Reporting observations or conditions in addition to those required under
this section.
(b) Excluding a component of an improvement to residential real property from
the inspection, if requested to do so by his or her client.
(c) Engaging in an activity that requires an occupation credential if he or she
holds the necessary credential.
RL 134.03 Mechanical and structural components included in a home inspection. A
reasonable competent and diligent home inspection shall meet the standards in
subs. (1) to (11) and shall include and inspection of, and report on, all of the
following items that are present on the property at the time of the home
inspection:
(1) FOUNDATIONS. A home inspector shall observe and describe the type and
condition of the foundation.
(2) COLUMNS. A home inspector shall observe and describe the type and
condition of the columns.
(3) FLOORING SYSTEM. A home inspector shall observe and describe the type
and condition of flooring systems.
(4) ROOFS. A home inspector shall observe and describe the condition of
all of the following:
1. Roof coverings, including type.
2. Roof drainage systems.
3. Flashings.
4. Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations.
5. Signs of leaks or abnormal condensation on building components.
(b) A home inspector shall describe the methods used to observe the roof.
(c) A home inspector is not required to do any of the following:
1. Walk on the roofing.
2. Observe attached accessories, including, but not limited to, solar systems,
antennae and lightning arrestors.
3. Observe internal gutter and downspout systems and related underground
drainage piping.
(5) EXTERIORS. (a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the
condition of all of the following:
1. Wall claddings, including type.
2. Flashings and trim.
3. Entryway doors and at least one window per side of a dwelling unit.
4. Garage door operators, including whether any garage door operator
automatically reverses or stops when meeting reasonable resistance during
closing.
5. Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, and porches including railings.
6. Eaves, soffits, and fascias.
7. Grading drainage, driveways, patios, walkways, retaining walls, that abut the
dwelling unit.
(b) A home inspector shall operate all entryway doors, garage doors, and at
least one window per side of a dwelling unit.
(c) A home inspector is not required to observe the following:
1. Storms windows, storms doors, screening, shutters, awnings, and similar
seasonal accessories.
2. Locks, latches and other security devices or systems.
3. Intercom systems.
4. Fences or privacy walls.
5. Insulation or vapor barriers in exterior walls.
6. Safety glazing.
7. Garage door operator remote control transmitters.
8. Geological or soil conditions.
9. Recreational facilities.
10. Out-buildings other than garages and carports.
11. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation.
(6) PLUMBING SYSTEMS. (a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the
condition of all of the following:
1. Interior water supply and distribution system, including piping materials,
supports, fixtures, faucets, functional flow and drainage, leaks and cross
connections.
2. Interior drain, waste and vent systems, including traps, drain, waste, and
vent piping, piping supports and leaks.
3. Hot water systems , including water heating equipment, normal operating
controls, automatic safety controls, and the exterior surfaces of chimneys,
flues, and vents.
4. Fuel storage and distribution systems, including interior fuel storage
equipment, supply piping, venting, supports, and leaks.
5. Sump pumps.
(b) A home inspector shall operate all plumbing fixtures, including their
faucets and accessible exterior faucets attached to the dwelling unit.
(c) A home inspector is not required to do any of the following:
1. State the effectiveness of anti-siphon devices.
2. Determine whether the water supply and waste disposal systems are public or
private.
3. Operate automatic safety controls or sump pumps equipped with internal or
water dependent switches.
4. Operate any valve except water closet flush valves, fixture faucets and hose
faucets.
5. Observe water conditioning systems, fire and lawn sprinkler systems, on-site
water supply quantity and quality, on-site disposal systems, foundation drainage
systems, or spas.
6. Observe the interior of flues, chimneys and vents, or solar water heating
systems.
7. Observe any exterior plumbing components such as water mains or swimming
pools.
8. Determine water temperature.
9. Determine the proper size, design or use of plumbing materials.
(7) ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. (a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the
condition of all the following:
1. Service entrance conductors.
2. Service equipment, grounding equipment, main over current device.
3. Main and distribution panels, including their location.
4. Amperage and voltage ratings of the service, including whether service type
is over head or underground.
5. Branch circuit conductors, their over current devices, and the compatibility
of their ampacities and voltages, including any aluminum branch circuit wiring.
6. The operation of a representative number of installed lighting fixtures,
switches, and receptacles located inside the house, garage and any exterior
walls.
7. The polarity and grounding of all receptacles within 6 feet of interior
plumbing fixtures, in the garage or carport, and on the exterior of inspected
surfaces.
8. The operation of ground fault circuit interrupters.
9. The functionality of the power sources for smoke detectors.
(b) A home inspector is not required to do any of the following:
1. Insert any tool, probe or testing device inside the panels.
2. Test or operate any over current device except ground fault circuit
interrupters.
3. Dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the covers of
the main and auxiliary distribution panels.
4. Observe low voltage systems, telephones, security systems, cable TV,
intercoms, or other ancillary wiring that is not part of the primary electrical
distribution systems.
5. Measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.
(8) INTERIORS. (a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the
condition of all of the following:
1. Walls, ceilings and floors.
2. Steps, stairways, balconies and railings.
3. Counters and all sink base cabinets.
4. A random sample of doors and windows.
5. Separation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling and an attached
garage or another dwelling.
6. Signs of water penetration into the building or signs of abnormal or harmful
condensation on building components.
(b) A home inspector is not required to observe any of the following:
1. Paint, wallpaper, and other cosmetic finish treatments on the interior walls,
ceilings, and floors.
2. Carpeting.
3. Draperies, blinds or other window treatments.
4. Household appliances.
5. Recreational facilities or another dwelling unit.
(9) HEATING SYSTEM. (a) A home inspector shall observe and describe the
condition of all of the following within a permanently installed heating system:
1. Heating equipment and distribution systems.
2. Normal operating controls and energy source.
3. Automatic safety controls.
4. Exterior surfaces of chimneys, flues and vents.
5. Solid fuel heating device.
6. The presence of an installed heat source in each room.
(b) A home inspector shall operate the systems using normal operating controls
and open readily accessible access panels provided by the manufacturer or
installer for routine homeowner maintenance.
(c) A home inspector is not required to do any of the following:
1. Operate heating systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may
cause equipment damage.
2. Operate automatic safety controls.
3. Ignite or extinguish fuel fires.
4. Observe the interior of flues, fireplace insert flue connectors, humidifiers,
electronic air filters, or the uniformity or adequacy of heat supply to the
various rooms.
5. Observe a heat exchanger unless it is readily observable and normally
accessible to an occupant of a dwelling unit.
(10) CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING. (a) A home inspector shall observe and
describe the condition of all of the following:
1. Cooling and air handling equipment, including type and energy source.
2. Normal operating controls.
3. The presence of an installed cooling source in each room.
(b) A home inspector shall operate the systems, using normal operating controls,
and open readily accessible access panels provided by the manufacturer or
installer for routine homeowner maintenance.
(c) A home inspector is not required to do any of the following:
1. Operate cooling systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may
cause equipment damage.
2. Observe non-central air conditioners.
3. Observe the uniformity or adequacy of cool-air supply to the various rooms.
4. Operate electronic air filters.
5. Observe the pressure of the system coolant or determine the presence of
leakage.
6. Test the electrical current drawn by the unit.
(11) INSULATION AND VENTILATION. (a) A home inspector shall observe and
describe the condition of all of the following:
1. The presence or absence of insulation in unfinished spaces.
2. Ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry venting systems.
(b) A home inspector is not required to observe any of the following:
1. Concealed insulation.
2. Venting equipment which is integrated with household appliances.
RL 134.04 Contents of a home inspection report.
(1) After completing a home inspection, a home inspector shall submit a written
report to a client that does all of the following:
(a) Lists the items described in s. RL 134.03 that a home inspector is required
to inspect.
(b) List the items described in s. RL 134.03 That a home inspector has
inspected.
(c) Describe the conditions of any item identified in s. RL 134.03
(d) Describe the conditions of any item identified in s. RL 134.03 that, if not
repaired, will have significant adverse effect on the life expectancy of the
identified item.
(e) Lists any material adverse facts that a home inspector has knowledge of or
has observed.
(2) A home inspector is not required to report on any of the following aspects
items identified in s. RL 134.03:
(a) Their life expectancy.
(b) The reason for the necessity of a major repair.
(c) The method of making any repair or correction, the materials needed for any
repair or correction, or the cost of any repair or correction.
(d) The suitability for any specialized use of an improvement to residential
real property.
(e) Whether they comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
(3) A home inspector may nor report in writing or verbally on any of the
following:
(a) The market value or marketability of a property.
(b) Whether a property should be purchased.
(4) A home inspector is no required to retain inspectors or investigators to
perform follow-up inspections or investigations of any material adverse facts
that a home inspector has knowledge of or has observed under sub (1) (d).
Glossary Terms
RL 131.02 Definition. As used in RL 134
(1) "Automatic safety controls" means device designed and installed to protect
systems and components from excessively high or low pressure and temperature,
excessive electrical current, loss of water, loss of ignition, fuel leaks, fire,
freezing, or other similar unsafe conditions.
(2) "Central air conditioning" means a system which uses ducts to distribute
cooling or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute
chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged
into an electrical convenience outlet.
(3) "Client" means a person who contracts with a home inspector for the purpose
of a home inspection.
(4) "Component" means a readily accessible and observable element of a system,
such as a floor or wall.
(5) "Cosmetic" means not required for the proper operation of the essential
systems and components of a home.
(6) "Cross connection" means any physical connection or arrangement between
potable water and any source of contamination.
(7) "Department" means the department of regulation and licensing.
(8) "Describe" means to identify in writing a system or component by type or
characteristics.
(9) "Dismantle" means to take apart or remove component, device, or piece of
equipment that is bolted, screwed, or otherwise fastened and which would not be
taken apart or removed in ordinary course of household maintenance.
(10) "Dwelling unit" means a structure or that part of the structure that is
used or intended to be used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one person
or by 2 or more persons who are maintaining a common household, to the exclusion
of others.
(11) "Functional draining" means the emptying of a drain in a reasonable amount
of time with no sign of overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously.
(12) "Home inspection" means the process by which a home inspector examines the
observable systems and components of improvements to residential real property
that are readily accessible.
(13) "Home inspection report" means a written opinion of a home inspector
concerning all of the following:
(a) The condition of the improvements to residential real property that contains
not more than 4 dwelling units.
(b) The condition of mechanical and structural components of the improvements
specified in par. (a).
(14) "Home inspector" means an individual who, for compensation, conducts a home
inspection.
(15) "Household appliances" means washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers,
stoves, ovens, room air conditioners and other similar equipment.
(16) "Inspect" means to examine observable systems and components.
(17) "Material adverse fact" means a condition or occurrence that is generally
recognized by a competent home inspector as doing any of the following:
(a) Significantly reducing the functionality or structural integrity of
components or systems of the improvements to property being inspected.
(b) Posing a significant health or safety risk to occupants of the improvements.
(18) "Normal operating controls" means homeowner operated devices including, but
not limited to, thermostats and wall or safety switches.
(19) "On-site water supply quality" means the condition of water, based on the
existence of bacteria, chemicals, minerals, solids, or other similar elements in
the water.
(20) "On-site water supply quantity" means the rate of water flow from a well or
municipal water source.
(21) "Operate" means to cause a piece of equipment or a system to function.
(22) "Permanently installed" means attached or connected to an item in a manner
which requires tools to remove.
(23) "Primary" means an item such as a window or door designed to remain in the
same place year-round.
(24) "Reasonable competent and diligent home inspection" means an inspection
that complies with the standards established under 440, Subch. X, Stats., and ch.
RL134.
(25) "Recreational facilities" means spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools,
tennis courts, playground equipment, and other exercise, entertainment, or
athletic facilities.
(26) "Roof drainage systems" means gutters, downspouts, leaders, splashblockes,
and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from the
building.
(27) "Safety glazing" means tempered or laminated glass. or rigid plastic.
(28) "Solid fuel heating device" means any wood, coal, or other similar solid
organic fuel burning device including, but not limited to, fireplaces, fireplace
inserts and stoves, wood stoves, and central furnaces, or any combination of
those devices.
(29) "Structural component" means a component which supports a load bearing
member.
(30) "System" means a combination of interacting or inter dependent components,
assembled to carry one or more functions.
(31) "Technically exhaustive" means the extensive use of measurements,
instruments, testing, calculations, and other means to develop scientific or
engineering findings, conclusions or recommendations.
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