<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 09.36.07.03" title_num="09" subtitle_num="36" chapter_num="07" heading="Limitations and Exclusions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A home inspection performed in accordance with the standards of practice set forth in this chapter:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is not technically exhaustive; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Except as may be required by lawful authority, a home inspector is not required to perform any action or make any determination unless specifically stated in the standards of practice set forth in this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to determine any of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Condition of a system or component that is not readily accessible;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Remaining life of any system or component;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Causes of any condition or deficiency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Methods, materials, or costs of corrections;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Future conditions, including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Suitability of the property for any specialized use;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Property boundary lines or encroachments;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Compliance of the structure with applicable provisions of local ordinances, regulations, or codes;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Market value of the property or its marketability;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Advisability of the purchase of the property;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Indoor air quality or sickness of any building, including, but not limited to, the presence or absence of all manner of biological activity, such as carcinogens, mold, insects, birds, pets, mammals, and other flora and fauna, and their consequent damage, toxicity, odors, waste products, and noxiousness;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>Effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>Operating costs of a system or component;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(15)">
      <text>Acoustical properties of any system or component; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(16)">
      <text>Existence of manufacturer's recalls.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to offer or perform any of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Any act or service contrary to law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Engineering services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Work in any trade or any professional service other than home inspection; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Warranties or guarantees of any kind.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to operate or activate:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A system or component that</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is shut down or otherwise inoperable; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Does not respond to normal operating controls;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Shut off valves and manual stop valves;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Automatic safety controls;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Remote controlled devices via WiFi, Bluetooth, RF, or other electronic means; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any Smart Home System and associated device..</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to enter:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Any area that may be, in the opinion of the home inspector, dangerous to the inspector or other persons or may damage the property or its systems or components; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Under-floor crawl spaces, attics, or other unfinished areas that are not readily accessible.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to inspect any of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Underground items, including, but not limited to, underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Systems or components that are not installed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Decorative items;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Systems or components located in areas that cannot be entered in accordance with the standards of practice set forth in this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Detached structures other than garages and carports;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Recreational facilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Common elements or common areas in multiunit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A common condominium component or system or evaluated condominium reserve accounts.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A home inspector is not required to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Perform any procedure or operation that may be, in the opinion of the inspector, dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by the standards of practice set forth in this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Include in a written report any information from any source concerning previous:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Property, geological, environmental, or hazardous waste conditions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Manufacturer recalls or conformance of proper manufacturer's installation of any component or system; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Information contained in a consumer protection bulletin of publication;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Anticipate or speculate about possible future events or conditions, including but not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Decay, deterioration, or damage that may occur after the inspection;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Deficiencies from abuse, misuse, or lack of use;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Changes in performance of any component or system due to changes in use or occupancy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The consequences of the inspection or its effects on current or future buyers and sellers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Common household accidents, personal injury, or death;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Water intrusion; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>The future performance of any system or system component; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Provide additional inspection services not specifically set forth in this chapter and in accordance with COMAR 09.36.06.03 and Regulation .02 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>