What is "Readily Accessible" for you?

It's your judgment call. You get to decide what is accessible.

I’ve been pondering the whole issue of accessibility for home inspectors. So I spent a few minutes writing my own definition of what accessible is because in reality and based on my interpretation of the standards of practice for home inspectors, readily accessible means:

Available for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, or actions that will likely involve risk to persons or property.

I didn’t feel it said everything I needed it to say so I wrote my own definition of what is accessible.

ACCESSIBLE: A condition or location is considered accessible when it can be safely and reasonably reached, entered, or viewed by the inspector without the need to: climb over or move obstacles, including personal property, stored items, or debris; use tools or specialized equipment beyond standard inspection tools (e.g., a ladder, a flashlight, or a probe); expose oneself to risk of injury due to unstable surfaces, unsafe ladders, deteriorated structures, electrical hazards, or the presence of aggressive animals; remove covers, panels, hatches, or fasteners not intended for user removal unless explicitly required by the Standard of Practice.

NOTE: The term does not require accessibility for individuals with disabilities, nor does it imply compliance with ADA standards. Accessibility is determined at the time of inspection and may vary based on weather, site conditions, and safety considerations.