USPAP and departing employee files

[Patrick Haley]

Need help and opinions on this from you USPAP junkies out there.

Long and the short I have had an employee for 7 years and will now be parting ways and will go out on their own. What part and to what extent does the former or soon to be former employee have to files. Including notes and workfile. My understanding is that it stays with the company and if she needs a file I will provide it. The arguement is that I already have an electronic copy of the files so why shouldn't I just give the hard copies to her. From a company standpoint I think they should stay as part of the company work file and all. If she needs a copy of notes I will provide it to her? He comment is that then she will just go through them all and take her notes from each file?

Any thoughts let me know

TIA Pat,

 

[stefan olafson]

Keep possession of all workfiles and provide former employee if requested. Work out a charge for copies or whatever with them prior to them leaving.

Try to keep it civil.....

There are other posts on here regarding just this topic, take a look

 

[David Dietz]

USPAP states the Appraiser must retain the work files. The company is not obligated to retain anything under USPAP. Appraiser's are licensed not the company. However your state may have expanded on this. To you question it is the appraiser not the company. You may wish to have copies of the appraisal and work file if the work went out under your company as a good business practice.

 

[Patrick Haley]

USPAP

Thanks David,

I was just reviewing the rule..this was the comment that I found of particular interest after the word OR

"An appraiser must have custody of his or her workfile, or make appropriate workfile retention, access, and retrieval arrangements with the party having custody of the workfile"

Any thoughts?

I just want to make sure my arse if covered as well. Note sure I would even want her notes.. hmmm.

Pat,

 

[David Dietz]

Again you may want to check with the state you are in as well, they may have expanded on this one. Agreements do not always work out in business, so I, as the appraiser would want the workfile. If I was the company owner and my name was signed on the report I would need a copy. If I did not sign the reports I have no need under USPAP to maintain the file.

 

[PropertyEconomics]

Keep possession of all workfiles and provide former employee if requested. Work out a charge for copies or whatever with them prior to them leaving.

Try to keep it civil.....

There are other posts on here regarding just this topic, take a look

You would charge a former employee for copies of work they did for you? I hope your kidding.