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

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using [website address] (the “Website”), you agree to these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website. If you use it on behalf of an organization, you confirm that you have authority to accept these terms for it.

2. About the Website

The Website is operated by the Home Inspectors Forum (“HIF”). It provides general educational and informational material about home inspection, the property industry and HIF’s programs, events and activities.

3. Educational Purpose Only

Content on the Website is for general education and awareness. It is not legal, engineering, architectural, environmental, real-estate, financial or other professional advice, and it does not create a professional relationship between you and HIF. See the Website Disclaimer.

4. No Licenses, Certification or Accreditation

HIF is not a government agency. HIF does not issue government licenses or state-recognized credentials, and HIF Academia programs are not state licensing, certification or legally accredited training, unless HIF has formally been authorized to say otherwise. Certificates issued by HIF recognize participation or contribution only.

5. Membership, Friends of HIF and Use of HIF’s Name

• Membership is subject to HIF’s eligibility rules and approval.
• Friends of HIF is a supporter category. It is not professional membership, certification or endorsement, and it gives no authority to represent HIF.
• You may not use HIF’s name, logo, seal, titles or certificates in a way that suggests endorsement, partnership, authority or credentials that you do not have, without HIF’s written permission.
• HIF may remove or restrict participation that breaches these terms or the Code of Ethics.

6. User Conduct

When you use the Website, you agree not to:

• Break any law or regulation
• Provide false, misleading or impersonating information
• Submit false nominations or forged certificates
• Harass, threaten or abuse others
• Upload malicious code or try to disrupt or gain unauthorized access to the Website
• Copy, scrape or collect data from the Website in bulk without permission
• Use the Website for unauthorized commercial promotion

7. User Submissions

If you send HIF content (articles, comments, photographs, nominations or other material), you confirm that you own it or have the right to share it and that it does not break anyone’s rights or the law. You give HIF a non-exclusive, royalty-free permission to use, edit and publish it in connection with HIF’s activities, within the scope you agreed to when submitting. HIF may decline to publish or may remove any submission.

8. Intellectual Property

The Website’s text, design, graphics, logos, images and other content belong to HIF or its contributors and are protected by copyright and other laws. You may view and share links to the Website for personal, non-commercial and educational use. You may not copy, reproduce, modify or distribute content for commercial purposes without HIF’s written permission. Other organizations’ names and trademarks belong to their owners.

9. Sponsors, Partners and Third-Party Links

The Website may mention or link to builders, manufacturers, sponsors and other third parties. HIF does not endorse any of them unless it says so in writing. Sponsored or paid content is identified as such. HIF is not responsible for third-party sites, products or services, and any dealings with them are between you and them.

10. Events, Programs and Payments

Registration, fees, cancellation and refund rules for events and programs are stated on each program or event page. Dates, speakers and content may change. HIF is not responsible for travel, accommodation or other costs if an event is changed or cancelled [adjust to match your policy].

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Website and its content are provided “as is” and “as available.” To the fullest extent permitted by law, HIF does not warrant that the content is complete, accurate or current, or that the Website will be uninterrupted or error-free.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HIF and its directors, officers, members, volunteers and contributors are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for any loss arising from your use of, or reliance on, the Website or its content. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot legally be limited. [Have counsel confirm how this applies under California law.]

13. Indemnification

You agree to defend and hold HIF harmless from claims, losses and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your breach of these terms or your misuse of the Website [confirm with counsel].

14. Changes and Suspension

HIF may change the Website, its content or these terms at any time. Changes take effect when posted, and the “Last updated” date will change. Continued use of the Website means you accept the updated terms. HIF may suspend or end access at any time.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California and applicable federal law, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in [county], California [or another dispute process chosen with counsel].

16. General

If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. These terms and the Privacy Policy are the whole agreement between you and HIF about the Website.

17. Contact

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