All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 0
IowaSF 46091st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to home inspections, including persons authorized to perform home inspections and requirements for independent home inspection reports, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly SSB 1144.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
Signed by Governor
commerce
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
No conflicts or kickbacks in home inspections
Beginning July 1, 2025, inspectors and their employers cannot do or offer repairs on a home they inspected in the last 12 months. The ban does not cover radon or wood‑destroying insect treatment, and warranty companies may do repairs under a valid home warranty claim. If unlawful repairs happen, the owner gets a full refund and any promise to pay is void. Inspectors must disclose in writing any financial interest in the sale before the inspection, and the buyer must acknowledge it. Inspectors and related businesses cannot pay or take referral kickbacks. Inspectors also cannot take jobs or fees that depend on the report’s findings or the deal closing.
Insurance and penalties for home inspectors
Beginning July 1, 2025, home inspectors must carry errors‑and‑omissions and general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per claim and $500,000 total, with deductibles no more than $2,500. Inspectors must keep coverage for one year after their latest report; this does not apply to reports delivered before July 1, 2025. Failing to keep required insurance or falsely claiming inspector status is a simple misdemeanor for a first offense and a serious misdemeanor after that. Failing to meet report content rules is a simple misdemeanor with a fine up to $500. The law also defines who counts as a home inspector and what qualifies as a national inspectors association.
Stronger inspection standards and written reports
Beginning July 1, 2025, only a qualified home inspector, an out‑of‑state licensed inspector, a licensed architect, or a licensed professional engineer may issue an independent home inspection report. Inspectors must meet the care a reasonably prudent inspector would use, based on a national association’s standards and ethics. Every report must be written, state what was inspected, list material defects, flag any that pose unreasonable risk, and include four clear statements about limits and that it is not an appraisal. Inspectors may give the report only to their client unless the client consents; a seller may ask for a free copy. Reports may include repair cost ranges only if the source is named and the report advises getting a contractor estimate. Inspection contracts cannot limit liability for gross negligence or waive this law, but may define the inspection’s scope. Home buyers may rely in good faith on written claims about an inspector’s or professional’s qualifications.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/8/2025
Passed House
Yes: 96 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Fiscal note.
6/6/2025legislatureExplanation of vote.
4/24/2025legislatureSigned by Governor.
4/18/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
4/17/2025SenateMessage from House.
4/8/2025HouseImmediate message.
4/8/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 96, nays 0.
4/8/2025HousePlaced on calendar.
4/2/2025legislatureCommittee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 3.
4/2/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
4/2/2025legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
4/1/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 04/01/2025 8:00AM RM 19.
3/27/2025legislatureSubcommittee: Lawler, Blom and Wilson.
3/27/2025legislatureRead first time, referred to Commerce.
3/26/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
3/26/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/26/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0.
3/26/2025SenateAmendment S-3023 adopted.
3/26/2025legislatureAmendment S-3023 filed.
3/17/2025legislatureFiscal note.
3/12/2025legislatureCommittee report, approving bill.
2/27/2025legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/27/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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