The Texas Real Estate Commission met November 7 and received updates from advisory committees and staff, adopted revised forms, and proposed revisions to rules related to the inspection form and the unauthorized practice of law. Here are a few key takeaways from the meeting.

Appointments Made to ESAC, TREIC

The Commission appointed the following individuals to serve on the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC):

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met October 18 and reviewed a new tool to aid in filling out the Property Inspection Report Form, a new form that will inform TREC when a real estate inspector relationship is terminated, and items for the 88th Texas Legislature.

The TREC Inspector Committee (TREIC) met July 18 and discussed clarifications to 535.222, Inspection Reports, and 535.223, Standard Inspection Report Form.

Recommended Rule Changes

535.222, Inspection Reports

TREIC recommended a change to 525.222(a)(2) to clarify the two-day inspection report delivery deadline. The change clarifies that in instances where payments are provided in full prior to the inspection, the inspector is required deliver the report to the client within two days of completion of the inspection.

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met April 18 and talked about hot topic issues, including how inspectors must handle single-item inspections, clarifications to 535.222, Inspection Reports, and expired licenses. Read on for more takeaways.

The Texas Real Estate Commission met May 2, 2022. In addition to hearing updates from TREC staff, the Commission contemplated a proposed new flood disclosure form for leases, non-substantive proposed changes from the quadrennial rule review, and adopted a rule change for easement or right-of-way (ERW) agents. The Commission also heard a presentation from Gary Maler, executive director of the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.

Real estate inspectors licensed in Texas are required to follow the Standards of Practice (SOPs). These SOPs define the minimum requirements for a real estate inspection performed for a prospective buyer or seller of one to four family dwelling. Changes to the SOPs were adopted at the August TREC Commission Meeting and are effective February 1, 2022.

Changes to the general provisions now:

Effective February 1, the Property Inspection Report form (REI 7-6) is required for all real estate inspections performed in Texas.

The form reflects changes made to the Standards of Practice (SOPs), plus an updated preamble that

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met January 18, 2022. Three new officers were elected to serve in committee leadership:

• Shawn Emerick, chair
• Scott Regan, vice chair
• Steven Rhinehart, secretary

The committee also made two subcommittee appointments:

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee met on October 11 via videoconference.  There was not much on the agenda as the committee has covered a lot of ground the last couple of years.  There was a discussion about the new Property Inspection Report Form (REI 7-6) that will be required to be used as of February 1, 2022.  There is a new section in that report form for Gas Distribution System and Gas Appliances.  There was a concern that there might be confusion on where to put deficiencies in gas appliances, such as the water heater, HVAC, etc., since those are specified in other locations