New residential building inspection standard

On July 26, 2022, the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) published the draft standard BNQ 3009-500: “Residential building – Inspection practices in a real estate transaction context” following the consultation of various stakeholders, including the OACIQ, by a standards committee.

The goal of this new standard is to standardize and enhance the services provided by Quebec building inspectors, while enabling consumers to fully understand the nature and limits of standardized inspection practices in a real estate transaction context.

The BNQ 3009-500 standard is now available, in force and recognized, but not mandatory until October 1, 2024. As of this date, all the terms and conditions must be applied in order to obtain a certificate from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) to perform the duties of a building inspector.¹

Licensees who are required to recommend a thorough inspection to a client proposing to purchase an immovable may now refer inspectors who perform their inspections in accordance with the new standard, provided that they:

1. have professional liability insurance covering fault, error and omission;
2. use a recognized inspection service agreement;
3. submit a written report to the party that requested the inspection services.

It is only as of October 1, 2027 that all building inspectors will be required to meet all of these criteria.²

To learn more and consult this new standard, visit the website of the Bureau de normalisation du Québec.