What's the inspector's liability

[Becky Lu]

We hired a certified inspector for our small apartments(29 units) in Houston. We asked the inspector to inspect on big ticket items, like, the roof, ACs, HVACs, electrical system, plumbing, foundation,..etc.  So we selected about half the units that were in a not-as-good condition for him to inspect after we walked each units. The inspection report came back good with no major issues and we bought the property. Now almost 3 months in, we found out more than half of the units don't even have heaters/HVACs and had to replace with proper AC/ heater. In the report, he signed off stating we have working ACs, HVACs, and heat pump.  It's required to have adequate/proper heating system in Texas. So we're upset that he didn't do his job to at least point out that there's no heating system and heat pump in most of the units. Is he responsible for his inspection, which didn't even provide the truthful fact?

Can we hold him responsible for giving an inaccurate inspection?Is there anything we can do to ask for a refund? or sue him?( Not like we will sue him but we just feel cheated and were given the incorrect information back then.)

Anyone has had similar experiences? would love to hear your story. Thank you.

[Becky Lu]

Thanks for all your comments!

Most of the units have window AC units, which only have cooling but no heater. The inspector likely just assumed the window unit did both cooling and heating. We were told by our current PM that some tenants just used their ovens to heat up the room in winter. Seller's disclosure didn't reveal much. Most boxes are checked "N/A" or "not aware". (The seller agent kept saying the seller was very uneducated and was selling the property as is...) That's why we trusted the inspection report and decided to purchase the property. 

We are glad that we purchased it but just if we had known, we would have asked for more repair money.

Thanks! :)