CSA Group Inspection d’habitations

Preface This is the first edition of CAN / CSA-A770, Home Inspection.  This standard sets out the minimum requirements for home inspection and contains information on performing a home inspection. Such inspections are usually done on individual homes of any configuration, often, but not necessarily, as part of a real estate transaction. This standard contains important and practical requirements for items that must be inspected as part of a home inspection. This standard has not been prepared to provide all the requirements for home inspection methods or a complete list of special conditions to look for in a home. This information would be part of a recognized home inspection training program.  This standard was developed with the assistance of home inspectors, regulatory authorities, consumer agencies and various technical specialists.  CSA Group wishes to point out that the development of this standard was made possible in part by the financial support of Service Alberta, the British Columbia Office of Housing and Construction Standards, the Manitoba Securities Commission, the Ministry of Finance and Government Services and Consumer Services of Ontario and the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan.  Introduction 0.1 General  The purpose of this standard is to establish the requirements for the physical inspection of dwellings. This standard was created to serve as a basis for the expectations of stakeholders in the inspection of a home. Some clients may wish to have a more thorough assessment of their home or property than this standard requires.  0.2 Users  This standard is for home inspectors who perform inspections, usually as part of a real estate transaction. It can also be used by individuals or organizations who want to better understand the scope of work done during a home inspection that complies with this standard.  0.3 Application  This standard is primarily used to define the minimum requirements of a home inspection for: a) customers who buy or sell a home (b) any other reason for which the inspector or client chooses to apply this standard  0.4 Home Inspections  Home inspection is a non-invasive assessment of the condition and performance of a home's systems and components. Its main purpose is to detect and report any item that does not perform as intended. In general, the home inspection focuses on important issues that the inspector can easily see and not on the minor deficiencies of the building. A home inspection usually does not cover cosmetic items, cleaning products or other types of non-critical items. Home inspections that meet this standard are not intended to verify compliance with codes and regulations (eg, building codes).  Home inspectors with the qualifications and skills to do so may wish to offer other services that exceed the requirements of this standard. Any additional service beyond the scope and requirements of this standard should be clearly stated to the customer, eg. eg, in a contractual agreement.  0.5 User's Guide  This Standard is structured in two main parts: the body of the standard that contains the mandatory home inspection requirements and Appendix A which contains non-mandatory comments for the home inspector. of the user.  Chapter 4 presents the general requirements for all home inspections. This chapter defines the scope of the inspection for the user as it specifies the general requirements for the scope of inspection, inspection methods and reporting. Particular attention should be given to 4.3.3.2 as it sets out the general conditions to be considered during the inspection of any system or component dealt with in Chapter 5.  Chapter 5 covers the systems and elements that must be inspected, according to the minimum requirements. Specific inspection requirements, including key conditions to be examined, are presented in Chapter 5 where they are considered critical elements of a minimum inspection. It is important to note that in addition to any specific inspection requirements stipulated in Chapter 5, when inspecting any system or component, the user must keep in mind the general reporting objectives of the system. Article 4.3, and in particular the conditions to be detected in Article 4.3.3.2.  Appendix A is informative (ie, the appendix is ??not mandatory). It is intended to provide the user with more information and comments that may be helpful in understanding the requirements of this standard and performing a home inspection.  Scope 1.1 General  This standard specifies requirements for the physical inspection of dwellings, including:   a) systems and components in or around a house that are to be inspected as part of a home inspection  (b) the minimum inspection level of a house (c) the general methods to be used for: i) the examination and evaluation of building components and systems at the time of inspection ii) inspection and non-invasive testing d) the minimum reporting requirements.  1.2 Application  This standard applies to homes built on-site or factory-built (ie, prefabricated) including, but not limited to, all or a portion of the following residential configurations: a) isolated dwellings or twinned b) townhouses c) duplexes, triplexes, and other dwelling configurations in multi-unit dwellings  Notes: 1) Multiple dwelling dwellings may be owned by occupants (eg, in freehold, condominium or co-op) or may be rented by occupants.  2) In this standard, a condominium or co-op unit does not include the parts of the building jointly owned with the other owners. An inspection may also include these common elements and use this standard by contractual agreement (see Appendix A). 3) Although this standard deals with home inspection and associated property, some properties may include one or more secondary buildings or secondary structures. An inspection may also include these buildings or structures and use this standard by contractual agreement.  1.3 Exclusions  This standard does not apply to: (a) the qualification, competency assessment or certification of persons conducting a home inspection (b) the inspection of industrial, commercial or institutional buildings   (c) common portions in condominiums Note: Uane inspection may also include common portions of condominium or other properties and use this standard by contractual agreement (see Appendix A).  1.4 Terminology  1.4.1 In this standard, the word "shall" indicates a requirement, that is, a requirement that the user must meet to ensure compliance with the standard; "Should" indicates a recommendation or recommendation, but not a requirement; and "may" indicates a possibility or what is permitted.  The notes accompanying the articles do not include prescriptions or recommendations. They serve to separate from the text explanations or information that is not properly part of the norm.  The notes at the bottom of the figures and tables are part of these and may be written as prescriptions.  The annexes can be normative (mandatory) or informative (optional).  1.4.2 This standard uses the terms "where appropriate", "where applicable" and "as required". Where one of these terms qualifies a requirement, it is deemed appropriate or applicable, as it should be, unless the organization or person provides evidence to support the contrary.