TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to require the same home inspector to return for a reinspection when violations have been issued, was approved by the full Senate today.
“When it comes to home inspections, safety must always come first,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “The inspector that reported the code violations has the most knowledge of the problem, so by requiring that same inspector to return for the reinspection, we can be sure that the homeowner has properly taken care of the problem. My legislation would allow homeowners to address code violations and have a reinspection completed by the same knowledgeable inspector that sited them.”
The bill, S-2601, would amend the current “Uniform Construction Code Act” to require inspectors that find and issue code violations at single-family homes to conduct the reinspection.
Senator Rice noted that if the same inspector cannot be assigned to do the reinspection, the enforcing agency may choose to send another available inspector provided the scope of the reinspection is limited to the specific violation. The bill would also allow property owners to request a different inspector to perform the reinspection, added Senator Rice.
The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
