Texas Local Government Code 271.9041 – Appraisal Service Contracts; Indemnification Limitations; Duties of Appraiser
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(a) In this section, “governmental agency” has the meaning assigned by § 271.003.
(b) This section applies only to a contract for appraisal services for real property entered into by a licensed appraiser and a governmental agency.
Terms Used In Texas Local Government Code 271.9041
- Appraisal: A determination of property value.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
- Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
(c) A provision of a contract for appraisal services, or a promise in connection with the contract, is void and unenforceable if the provision requires a licensed appraiser to indemnify or hold harmless a governmental agency against liability for damage, other than damage to the extent the damage is caused by or results from an act of:
(1) negligence;
(2) intentional tort;
(3) intellectual property infringement; or
(4) failure to pay:
(A) a subcontractor or supplier committed by the appraiser or the appraiser’s agent;
(B) a consultant under contract; or
(C) another person over which the appraiser exercises control.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e)(2), a provision of a contract for appraisal services, or a promise in connection with the contract, is void and unenforceable if the provision requires a licensed appraiser to defend a person against a claim based wholly or partly on the negligence or fault of, or breach of contract by:
(1) the governmental agency that is a party to the contract;
(2) an employee or agent of the governmental agency; or
(3) another person over which the governmental agency exercises control, other than the appraiser or an employee, agent, or consultant of the appraiser.
(e) A contract for appraisal services may require:
(1) the reimbursement of a governmental agency’s reasonable attorney’s fees in proportion to an appraiser’s liability; and
(2) an appraiser to name a governmental agency as an additional insured under the appraiser’s general liability insurance policy and provide any defense provided by the policy.
(f) A contract for appraisal services must require a licensed appraiser to perform services:
(1) with the professional skill and care ordinarily provided by competent appraisers under the same or similar circumstances and professional license; and
(2) as expeditiously as is prudent considering the ordinary professional skill and care of a competent appraiser.
(g) A provision of a contract for appraisal services establishing a different standard of care than a standard described by Subsection (f) is void and unenforceable. If a contract contains a void and unenforceable provision described by this subsection, the standard of care described by Subsection (f) applies.
(h) This section does not prohibit a governmental agency from including in and enforcing a provision in a contract for appraisal services that relates to the scope, fees, and schedule of a project in the contract.