Wis. Stat. § 440.978 — WI Code / Chapter 440 / Section 440.978
Section 440.978
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1) , the department may make investigations or conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter has occurred.

(2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1) , the department may reprimand a home inspector or deny, limit, suspend or revoke a certificate under this subchapter if the department finds that the applicant or home inspector has done any of the following:

(a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a certificate or renewal of a certificate.

(b) Engaged in conduct while practicing as a home inspector that evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

(c) Subject to ss. 111.321 , 111.322 and 111.335 , been arrested or convicted of an offense committed while registered under this subchapter.

(d) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive or misleading.

(e) Advertised, practiced or attempted to practice as a home inspector under another person’s name.

(f) Allowed his or her name to be used by another person while the other person was practicing or attempting to practice as a home inspector.

(g) Subject to ss. 111.321 , 111.322 and 111.34 , practiced as a home inspector while the individual’s ability to practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

(h) Acted as a home inspector in connection with a transaction in which he or she was also an appraiser or broker.

(i) Performed, or agreed to perform, for compensation any repairs, maintenance or improvements on any property less than 2 years after he or she conducts a home inspection, without the written consent of the property owner given before the home inspection occurred.

(j) Prevented or attempted to prevent a client from providing a copy of, or any information from, a home inspection report done by the home inspector in connection with a transaction to any interested party to the transaction.

(k) Failed to provide a home inspection report to a client by the date agreed on by the home inspector and the client or, if no date was agreed on, within a reasonable time after completing the inspection.

(m) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter.

(3) In addition to or in lieu of proceeding under sub. (2) , the department may assess against a person who has engaged in any of the practices specified in sub. (2) a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 for each separate offense.

(5) The department may, as a condition of removing a limitation on a certificate issued under this subchapter or of reinstating a certificate that has been suspended or revoked under this subchapter, do any of the following:

(a) Require the home inspector to obtain insurance against loss, expense and liability resulting from errors and omissions or neglect in the performance of services as a home inspector.

(b) Require the home inspector to file with the department a bond that is furnished by a company authorized to do business in this state and is in an amount approved by the department.

History: 1997 a. 81 ; 2021 a. 17 .