Home Inspectors Forum (HIF) Effective date: 01 October 2026 · Last updated: 01 October 2026

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how the Home Inspectors Forum (“HIF,” “we,” “us” or “our”) collects, uses, shares and protects personal information when you visit [website address] (the “Website”) or use our services, including newsletters, events, HIF Academia programs, membership and Friends of HIF applications, and award nominations.

By using the Website, you acknowledge this policy. If you do not agree with it, please do not use the Website.

2. Information We Collect

Information you give us

• Name, email address, phone number and mailing address
• Region or county, profession and employer or company name
• Membership, Friends of HIF, volunteer, event or webinar registration details
• Award nominations and supporting information, including information about nominees
• Messages sent through our inquiry form or email
• Newsletter subscription details
• [Payment information, if fees are charged. Payments are handled by [payment provider]; HIF does not store full card numbers.]

Information collected automatically

• Device and browser type, operating system and IP address
• Pages visited, time spent, referring site and general location
• Cookies and similar technologies [list which you use, such as analytics or session cookies]

Information from other sources Information from event partners, nominators or public professional sources, where permitted by law.

3. How We Use Information

We use personal information to:

• Reply to inquiries and provide requested services
• Process membership, Friends of HIF, volunteer and event applications
• Send newsletters, announcements and event confirmations
• Run the HIF Awards program and issue and verify certificates
• Improve the Website, programs and user experience
• Keep the Website secure and prevent misuse
• Meet legal obligations and enforce our terms

We send marketing emails only to people who subscribed or who may reasonably expect them, and every message includes an unsubscribe option.

4. Photographs, Video and Recognition

We publish names, photographs or videos of identifiable people, and images of private properties, only with written permission. If you appear in HIF media and want it removed, contact us at [privacy email] and we will review the request promptly.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with:

• Service providers that help us run the Website, email, forms, event registration, analytics or payments, under obligations to protect it
• Event or program partners, where you register for a joint event and we tell you in advance
• Legal and safety recipients, where required by law, court order or to protect rights, safety or property
• A successor organization, if HIF merges or restructures [adjust as needed]

6. Cookies and Analytics

We use cookies to keep the Website working and to understand how it is used. You can control or delete cookies in your browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect how parts of the Website work. [If you use analytics such as Google Analytics, name the provider and describe its role.]

Do Not Track: [State how the Website responds to “Do Not Track” signals. For example: “The Website does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.”]

7. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes in this policy, to meet legal or recordkeeping obligations, or to resolve disputes. Retention periods: [for example, newsletter data until you unsubscribe; membership records for [number] years after membership ends; award records permanently, as part of the awards record].

8. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If a data breach affects you, we will notify you as required by law.

9. Your Choices and Rights

You may:

• Ask to see the personal information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct or update it
• Ask us to delete it, subject to legal or recordkeeping needs
• Unsubscribe from emails using the link in any message
• Ask us to remove your name or image from published HIF media

To make a request, contact [privacy email]. We may need to verify your identity first.

California residents: [Confirm with counsel whether the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) applies to HIF, which depends on its legal structure and size. If it applies, add the required notices on categories of data collected, your rights to know, delete, correct and opt out of sale or sharing, and how to exercise them. California law also lets residents with an established business relationship request information about certain disclosures to third parties for direct marketing. Include this only if applicable.]

10. Children’s Privacy

The Website is for adults and professionals and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has given us information, contact [privacy email] and we will delete it.

11. Links to Other Websites

The Website may link to third-party sites, including partners, sponsors and social media. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, and a link is not an endorsement. Please read their policies.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above shows the latest version. Significant changes will be announced on the Website [or by email].

13. Contact Us

Home Inspectors Forum Email: info@hifamerica.com Address: California