Under a bill that passed the Ohio House 74-6 on Wednesday June 27th, 2018, Ohio area home inspectors who check out a property before a buyer closes on a home purchase would be required to get state licenses. House Bill 211 would set up a license and regulatory program for all Ohio home inspectors. Inspectors operating without a license could possibly face fines and criminal penalties. Home inspections are performed on behalf of a prospective house buyer to inspect a home property for any termites, damages and issues, poor or faulty electrical systems, old furnaces or AC units, bad appliances and more. The home inspection portion of the home buying process in Ohio is the only part that is unregulated to date, and this bill would change that if approved and goes into law. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, and also calls for written contracts between the inspector and client, and for residential realtors who recommend an inspector to provide at least 3 names of licensed area home inspectors, and for all Ohio home inspectors to deliver a written report to clients as well as other requirements. This bill has garnered major support from numerous Ohio Realtors, the American Society of Home Inspectors, the HomeSpection Training Institute, and others.