The Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors (VAREI) is the licensed home inspector's voice in Richmond!

Assault on Virginia Home Inspectors' Ability to Limit Their Liability

Virginia Senator Scott Surovell recently proposed legislation that, if adopted, would have restricted Virginia home inspectors' ability to limit their liability. To date, Virginia courts have been pretty clear; they have (in most cases) upheld clear and unambiguous language in a home inspection contract that limits the inspector's liability for oversights to a mutually agreed upon amount down to as low as the amount paid for the inspection.

Senator Surovell proposed SB 627 in 2018, which failed in committee. He tried again in 2025, this time presenting his argument to the Virginia Housing Commission (VHC). VAREI argued the case before the VHC on September 8. The VHC decided, on December 4 to NOT endorse the senator's proposal. This is good news, but it's not over yet. Senator Surovell may not have the commission's endorsement, but he still has until the middle of January to bring his bill to the floor of this legislative session. 

The next two weeks are going to be crucial. Our immediate concern is to stop this now..., for now. However, Senator Surovell seems to feel strongly about this. So, rather than fight it now only to have to fight it again in the future, the VAREI board of directors is working on a strategy to address the underlying issues driving the senator's efforts.

This is going to take effort and money. In the past VAREI has had little trouble activating members when necessary. We are developing a list of talking points that you can use when sharing awareness with your contacts. More on that soon.

VAREI's primary source of revenue, however, is member dues. If every Virginia licensed home inspector were to join, we would be well positioned. Even if half of us joined, dues revenues would be sufficient to implement the strategies the board is discussing.  

So, what are the benefits of VAREI membership?

• Monthly webinars - VAREI delivers over an hour of continuing education on the first Wednesday of each month. Depending on the content, these CEs are usually accepted by DPOR for license renewal.
• Annual meeting - We get together once a year in Richmond to discuss pending topics and to hold elections. This is a full-day event that usually includes seven or eight hours of continuing education and a catered lunch. We are careful to choose topics that will be accepted by DPOR (in Virginia), the Fire Marshalls (in West Virginia)  and DLLR (in Maryland).
• Representation in Richmond - VAREI has been at the forefront of protecting the home inspection profession for 25 years. We're not going to stop. We continue to support all Virginia home inspectors regardless of membership status. 

Mark your calendar:

• This Wednesday (January 7) at 8:00pm (and every Wednesday) - Monthly webinar
• Thursday, October 8 - all day in Richmond 

 If you are receiving this communication, you have a profile in VAREI's database.

• If you have ever joined as a member, but have not paid dues in 2025 or '26, please login as a member and pay your renewal dues.
• If you have never joined VAREI, then please login as a guest and consider converting to a member.
• Please do not join. You will be creating a second profile and some unneccessary complications.