07/29/1993 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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r V. NEw B[TSINESS: In reference to the death of Mr. Schulz, Mr. Kazak would like a proclamation from Council comnending him for the many years that he had contributed to the 'city. Mr. Schiilz has been on this board since the 1960's. The clerk caill research the exact nlunbez- of years and supply that information to the Mayor's office. The members would like Mr. Schulz's family present when the proclamation is read. VI. OLD BUSINESS: Continuing discussion of .licerising requirements for private home inspectorso Mr. Piar, who works as a private home inspector, believed that there should be a pre-sale inspection of all homes prior to them being put on the market and the inspections should be based on F.H.A. guidelines. He suggested using the average rnunber of sales transactions per year to determine the fees to be charged in order to cover the costs of a city inspector. If a pre-sale inspection is required, it would mean that eventually all houses in the city would be inspected. If the ownerdoes have to make repairs before a house goes on the market, he can adjust the ask-ing price of the hou.se. His inspections are done privately, but these reports are confidential and only the buyer who hires him sees it. He noted that Builciing Gommissioner Conway had mentioned having the reports of the private inspectors sent to the city, but during a recent diseussion with him, Mr. Piar pointed out that it does not make sense for a private contractor to do this for the city. When a private inspector finds violations, the home owner works out a price with the buyer, but the violations never get taken care of. He believed tha.t if an inspection following basic F.H.A. guidelines is made prior to the house being put on the market, the needed repairs will be done. It can be determined how many house sales are transacted per year in North Olmsted by ehecking the Hatch reports. Chief Building Inspector Sanker stated that the Building Commissioner preferred not to do inside i.nspections in each house.. Mr. Piar believed that it would be necessary to check such things as smoke alarms, G.F.I.'s, windows, garage doors, etc. Mr. Kazak stated that Mr. Conway wanted a11 private inspectors registered. Mr. Piar advised that the American Society of Home InSpectors is working on licensing criteLia, and will be discussing it at their next meeting in Maine. He believed that it woiild be hard for the individual cities to do tYfis. Mr. Sanker stated that all electrical, H.V.A.C. and pltunbing inspeetors must be licensed in a testing area before North Olmsted will register them, and he believed that home inspectors should have to present some qua.lifications. He noted that there is a concern that the eity would not have the manpower to do these inspections. It again was suggested that the city should charge for doing these inspections. Mr. Kazak stated that it first must be determined how many homes are sold per year and then how long each inspection would take, before a fee could be determined. Mr. Piar still preferred pre-sale inspections and thought that Mro Conway's cdncern about the city being liable, would not be valid if the F.H.A. guidelines were used for a basis. After that the buyer could Yiire a private inspector for the other .items. He mntioned several issues such as lead poisoning, which the private individual might not be aware of. Mr. Sanker agreed that a city inspection can only be basic. Mr. Conway could contact other cities which require pre=sale inspections for additional informati:on. Mr. Burk stated that if tihe city did this and since most houses change hands every 10 to 15 years, eventually every house in the city would be inspected. Mr. Piar reiterated that the pre-sale inspections would be better, since private inspectors are hired as a negotiating tool and are working for the buyer and then the private inspectors could be kept confidential. Under 2