The TREC Inspection Report Form, Explained.
Everything Texas-licensed home inspectors need to know about the TREC REI 7-6 (rev 8/10/21) — item ratings, deficiency rules, the multi-box rule, sub-fields by section, and how to fill it out by voice on phone or desktop in under 45 minutes.
🏆 The Best Way to Fill the TREC Inspection Report Form: InspectorData.
Browser-native talk-to-text, a TREC-section-aware comment template library, sub-3-second phone↔desktop live sync, QR handoff with no second login, a hash-locked verbatim §535.223 preamble, and an enforced compliance gate that won't let you finalize until D-comments and multi-box explanations pass. Included free in every plan, 90-day trial, no credit card.
What is the TREC inspection report form?
The TREC inspection report form is the standardized Property Inspection Report promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission, form code REI 7-6, current revision 8/10/21. Its use is required by 22 TAC §535.223 for any real estate inspection performed in Texas by a licensed Apprentice Inspector, Real Estate Inspector, or Professional Real Estate Inspector.
The form has seven sections:
- I. Structural Systems — Foundations, Grading & Drainage, Roof Covering, Roof Structures & Attics, Walls, Ceilings & Floors, Doors, Windows, Stairways, Fireplaces & Chimneys, Porches/Balconies/Decks/Carports, Other.
- II. Electrical Systems — Service Entrance & Panels, Branch Circuits/Connected Devices/Fixtures, Other.
- III. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems — Heating Equipment, Cooling Equipment, Duct Systems/Chases/Vents, Other.
- IV. Plumbing Systems — Plumbing Supply/Distribution/Fixtures, Drains/Wastes/Vents, Water Heating Equipment, Hydro-Massage Therapy Equipment, Gas Distribution/Gas Appliances, Other.
- V. Appliances — Dishwashers, Food Waste Disposers, Range Hood/Exhaust, Ranges/Cooktops/Ovens, Microwave Ovens, Mechanical Exhaust/Bathroom Heaters, Garage Door Operators, Dryer Exhaust, Other.
- VI. Optional Systems — Landscape Irrigation, Swimming Pools/Spas/Hot Tubs, Outbuildings, Private Water Wells, Private Sewage Disposal, Other Built-in Appliances, Other.
- VII. Additional Information Provided by Inspector.
Every item in Sections I through VI must carry an I (Inspected), NI (Not Inspected), NP (Not Present), or D (Deficient) rating. Pre-printed sub-fields (Type of Foundation, Viewed From, Type of Wiring, Static water pressure reading, etc.) must be filled where they apply.
Sources: Texas Real Estate Commission — Property Inspection Report · Official REI 7-6 PDF · 22 TAC §535.223 Standards of Practice · Last updated .
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Item Ratings: I, NI, NP, D
Every item in Sections I through VI must carry exactly one rating — or trigger the multi-box rule when more apply.
| Code | Meaning | What it tells the client | Comment required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Inspected | The inspector observed the item and it was working at the time of inspection. | No (allowed) |
| NI | Not Inspected | The item was not inspected. The inspector must explain why (access blocked, decommissioned, weather, etc.). | Yes — explain why |
| NP | Not Present | The item is not present at the property (e.g., no fireplace, no swimming pool). | No |
| D | Deficient | The inspector found a condition that adversely and materially affects performance OR is a hazard to life, limb, or property. | Yes — required |
InspectorData enforces the comment-required rule on D and on multi-box selections. Finalize stays disabled until every required comment is present.
What Counts as a Deficiency Under §535.223
The Standards of Practice define a deficiency as a condition that adversely and materially affects performance OR constitutes a hazard. Examples explicitly cited in the form:
Any condition meeting either prong of the definition must be reported as Deficient (D) with a written comment.
The Multi-Box Rule
The TREC inspection report form's multi-box rule reads: "If the inspector checks more than one box for an item, the inspector must explain in the Comments section the reason for each box checked."
In practice this means: if you check both I and D on the same item (you inspected it AND found a deficient condition), you must explain. If you check both NI and D (you partially inspected before access was blocked, and found a deficiency in what you saw), you must explain. The InspectorData compliance gate detects every multi-box pattern automatically and refuses to let you Finalize until each multi-box item carries a written explanation.
All Seven Sections of the TREC Inspection Report Form
From Foundations to Optional Systems — every section the inspector must address.
I. Structural Systems
Foundations, Grading & Drainage, Roof Covering Materials, Roof Structures & Attics, Walls (Interior & Exterior), Ceilings & Floors, Doors (Interior & Exterior), Windows, Stairways, Fireplaces & Chimneys, Porches / Balconies / Decks / Carports, Other.
II. Electrical Systems
Service Entrance & Panels, Branch Circuits / Connected Devices / Fixtures (with Type of Wiring sub-field), Other.
III. HVAC Systems
Heating Equipment (Type of Systems, Energy Sources), Cooling Equipment (Type of Systems), Duct Systems / Chases / Vents, Other.
IV. Plumbing Systems
Plumbing Supply / Distribution / Fixtures (water meter location, main supply valve, static pressure, supply piping material), Drains / Wastes / Vents (drain piping material), Water Heating Equipment (energy sources, capacity), Hydro-Massage Therapy Equipment, Gas Distribution & Gas Appliances (gas meter location, gas piping material), Other.
V. Appliances
Dishwashers, Food Waste Disposers, Range Hood & Exhaust Systems, Ranges / Cooktops / Ovens, Microwave Ovens, Mechanical Exhaust Vents & Bathroom Heaters, Garage Door Operators, Dryer Exhaust Systems, Other.
VI. Optional Systems
Landscape Irrigation (Sprinkler) Systems, Swimming Pools / Spas / Hot Tubs (Type of Construction), Outbuildings, Private Water Wells (Type of Pump, Storage), Private Sewage Disposal (Type of System, Drain Field), Other Built-in Appliances, Other.
VII. Additional Information
Free-text section for anything beyond the standard items: contractual notes, addenda, attached exhibits. Per the form, this content is not required by the Commission.
Pre-Printed Sub-Fields by Section
The TREC inspection report form has specific labeled blanks that must be filled where they apply. InspectorData persists every sub-field across phone↔desktop sync.
- I.A Foundations: Type of Foundation(s)
- I.C Roof Covering Materials: Types of Roof Covering · Viewed From
- I.D Roof Structures and Attics: Viewed From · Approximate Average Depth of Insulation
- II.B Branch Circuits: Type of Wiring
- III.A Heating Equipment: Type of Systems · Energy Sources
- III.B Cooling Equipment: Type of Systems
- IV.A Plumbing Supply, Distribution & Fixtures: Location of water meter · Location of main water supply valve · Static water pressure reading · Type of supply piping material
- IV.B Drains, Wastes, and Vents: Type of drain piping material
- IV.C Water Heating Equipment: Energy Sources · Capacity
- IV.E Gas Distribution Systems and Gas Appliances: Location of gas meter · Type of gas distribution piping material
- VI.B Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Equipment: Type of Construction
- VI.D Private Water Wells: Type of Pump · Type of Storage Equipment
- VI.E Private Sewage Disposal Systems: Type of System · Location of Drain Field
How to Fill Out the TREC Inspection Report Form (Step-by-Step)
The full workflow in InspectorData. About 45 minutes for a typical residential property.
- Open the form. Pick the property in InspectorData and open the TREC REI 7-6 (Texas) template — on phone via the PWA, on desktop, or hand off between devices via QR code with no second login.
- Fill the header block. Name of Client, Date of Inspection, Address of Inspected Property, Name of Inspector, TREC License #, Name of Sponsor (if applicable), Sponsor TREC License #. The verbatim Purpose of Inspection text is hash-locked to the official PDF — you can't accidentally drift from it.
- Walk Section I (Structural). For each item — Foundations through Other — mark I, NI, NP, or D. Fill Type of Foundation(s), Viewed From, Types of Roof Covering, Approximate Average Depth of Insulation where they apply. Use talk-to-text for the comment field, or pick a saved comment from your library.
- Continue through Sections II–V. Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Appliances. Fill Type of Wiring, Type of Systems, Energy Sources, Location of water meter, Static water pressure reading, Capacity, Type of gas distribution piping material, etc. Snap photos of any deficiency.
- Section VI (Optional). Mark NP for systems not on the property (irrigation, pool, well, septic, etc.) — no comment needed. For systems present, fill the rest.
- Section VII. Add any contractual notes, attachments, or extra observations.
- Resolve compliance gates. The system blocks Finalize until every D has a comment and every multi-box item has an explanation. The badge at the top right turns green when ready.
- Sign and finalize. Type your inspector name as the signature. Click Finalize. The PDF is locked, uploaded to the property file, and emailed to the client per your settings.
Voice vs Comment Template vs Typing
Three input methods, same compliant TREC PDF. Use any combination on the same report.
🎙️ Talk-to-Text
Browser-native voice dictation on phone, tablet, or desktop. Spoken punctuation: "period", "comma", "new line". Audio never leaves your device — Web Speech API only.
📋 Comment Template Library
Tap a saved comment and it drops into the right TREC REI 7-6 (Texas) section. Build your library once: tested wording for foundation cracking, double-tapped neutrals, water heater TPR valve, granule loss, and more.
✏️ Type or Use Paper Backup
Every field is editable. Or carry paper-and-pencil in the field and transfer notes back at the truck. Same compliant PDF either way.
Where to Download the Official TREC Inspection Report Form
The Texas Real Estate Commission publishes the form in two places:
- trec.texas.gov/forms/inspection-report-form — listing page with the latest revision link.
- trec.texas.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-forms/REI 7-6.pdf — direct PDF link, current revision 8/10/21.
When you finalize a report in InspectorData, the generated PDF mirrors this official form structure — hash-locked against the verbatim Purpose of Inspection text so the deliverable stays §535.223-compliant indefinitely. Read about the hash-lock here →
InspectorData vs Spectora vs HomeGauge for the TREC Inspection Report Form
Only one of these vendors gives Texas inspectors talk-to-text, a TREC-section-aware comment library, sub-3-second phone↔desktop live sync, AND a hash-locked verbatim §535.223 preamble.
TREC Inspection Report Form — FAQ
Is the TREC inspection report form required for every Texas inspection?
Yes. 22 TAC §535.223 requires Texas-licensed inspectors to use the REI 7-6 form for every real estate inspection performed under TREC's Standards of Practice.
What is the current revision of the TREC inspection report form?
REI 7-6, revision 8/10/21 (effective August 10, 2021). The form footer reads "REI 7-6 (8/10/21)". InspectorData is hash-locked to this exact revision's verbatim text.
Can I use my own report template instead of the TREC form?
No. The Standards of Practice require use of the official Property Inspection Report (REI 7-6) form for any real estate inspection performed in Texas under TREC licensure.
Do I need to re-license to use a digital version?
No. As long as the form structure, item ratings, and verbatim §535.223 text are present, a digital implementation is acceptable. InspectorData's TREC REI 7-6 (Texas) module is hash-locked against the official PDF for exactly this reason.
How do I handle the multi-box rule?
If two or more boxes apply to one item, you must explain the reason for each box checked in the Comments section. The InspectorData compliance gate detects every multi-box selection and prevents Finalize until you've explained.
What's the fastest way to fill out a TREC inspection report?
Voice dictation with InspectorData's talk-to-text feature, combined with a populated comment template library. Most inspectors finish a residential TREC report in 30–45 minutes including the property walk.
Can the same TREC report be edited by two inspectors at once?
Phone↔desktop live sync mirrors edits in under three seconds, so a single inspector can move between devices freely. Multi-inspector simultaneous editing is on the InspectorData roadmap.
Is the InspectorData TREC module free?
Yes — included in every InspectorData plan with a 90-day free trial, no credit card required.
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