Question:

It has come to my attention that a local appraiser is paying a home inspection firm a $25.00 referral fee for each appraisal assignment the home inspector refers to the appraiser. Is it unethical to accept an assignment if the appraiser paid a fee for the assignment?

Response:

No, but accepting such a fee requires specific disclosures. The Management section of the ETHICS RULE states:

The payment of undisclosed fees, commissions, or things of value in connection with the procurement of an assignment is unethical. (Bold added for emphasis)

The Comment to the Management section goes on to say:

Disclosure of fees, commissions, or things of value connected to the procurement of an assignment must appear in the certification and in any transmittal letter in which conclusions are stated.

Therefore, payment of the referral fee to the home inspection company is acceptable as long as this relationship is disclosed in the appraisal certification and any transmittal letter where conclusions are stated.