What happens if the inspector cannot see something?

Q: What happens if the inspector cannot see something?

It has to be written down. Under 19 NYCRR 197-5.3(c), a system or major component that was not observed must be listed in the report as not observed, together with the reasons why. That page is more useful than it sounds, and in an apartment it is the most valuable part of the report. A list of what could not be reached, and why, turns a vague worry into a specific set of questions for the seller, the managing agent or your attorney.

It has to be written down. Under 19 NYCRR 197-5.3(c), a system or major component that was not observed must be listed in the report as not observed, together with the reasons why.

That page is more useful than it sounds, and in an apartment it is the most valuable part of the report. A list of what could not be reached, and why, turns a vague worry into a specific set of questions for the seller, the managing agent or your attorney.

A crawlspace photographed during an inspection, showing restricted access. — Where access runs out, the report says so and says why. This is what that looks like.

A real photograph from one of Lou’s own inspections, chosen because it shows a building component and nothing that identifies a property or an owner.

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What New York requires · Why this matters most in an apartment · See a real report

What happens if the inspector cannot see something?

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