CHI Regulatory & Fair Housing Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following building code types sets minimum safety standards for new construction and is most commonly adopted at the state or local level in the US?
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Residential Code (IRC) (Correct answer)
- National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Correct answer: International Residential Code (IRC)
The IRC is specifically designed for one- and two-family dwellings and is the most widely adopted residential building code in the US.
Question 2: A home inspector finds an addition built without a permit. The inspector's primary obligation is to:
- Report the absence of permits as an observation and note potential compliance concerns (Correct answer)
- Refuse to inspect the unpermitted area
- Contact the local building department immediately
- Require the seller to obtain a retroactive permit before completing the report
Correct answer: Report the absence of permits as an observation and note potential compliance concerns
Inspectors should note unpermitted work as an observation and recommend further evaluation; they are not enforcement officers.
Question 3: Under Section 8 of the Fair Housing Act, which group receives protected status?
- Veterans
- Low-income renters using housing vouchers
- People receiving public assistance (federally protected class) (Correct answer)
- Students
Correct answer: People receiving public assistance (federally protected class)
Receipt of public assistance (Section 8) is not a federally protected class under the FHA, though familial status and disability are.
Question 4: An inspector is hired on a property where the seller is a religious organization. The FHA exemption for religious organizations applies to:
- All housing transactions the organization is involved in
- Noncommercial housing for members of that religion, with conditions (Correct answer)
- Commercial rentals only
- Properties where the inspector finds religious symbols
Correct answer: Noncommercial housing for members of that religion, with conditions
Religious organizations may restrict housing they own to members of their religion under specific noncommercial conditions.
Question 5: Which regulation requires lead-based paint disclosure for homes sold that were built before 1978?
- TSCA Section 6
- HUD/EPA Lead Disclosure Rule (42 USC 4852d) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1926.62
- RCRA Subtitle C
Correct answer: HUD/EPA Lead Disclosure Rule (42 USC 4852d)
The HUD/EPA Lead Disclosure Rule requires sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing to disclose known lead-based paint hazards.
Question 6: A certified home inspector discovers asbestos-containing materials during an inspection. The inspector's regulated duty is to:
- Remove the materials immediately for safety
- Sample and test all suspected materials on-site
- Report the presence of suspect materials and recommend a licensed asbestos professional (Correct answer)
- Notify the EPA within 24 hours
Correct answer: Report the presence of suspect materials and recommend a licensed asbestos professional
Inspectors identify and report suspect materials but are not licensed abatement contractors; they refer clients to qualified specialists.
Question 7: Which of the following activities would constitute 'steering' under fair housing law?
- Recommending a home inspector to a buyer
- Directing buyers of a particular ethnicity only to homes in specific neighborhoods (Correct answer)
- Advising buyers about local school ratings
- Suggesting a neighborhood based on commute distance
Correct answer: Directing buyers of a particular ethnicity only to homes in specific neighborhoods
Steering is the illegal practice of directing buyers or renters toward or away from neighborhoods based on protected class characteristics.
CHI Regulatory & Fair Housing Compliance 3
Which of the following building code types sets minimum safety standards for new construction and is most commonly adopted at the state or local level in the US?