• any services regarding the subject property performed by the appraiser within the prior three years, as an appraiser or in any other capacity.

This disclosure requirement will allow a prospective client to know, at the time of the assignment, whether the appraiser is performing, or has performed, other services with regard to the property, such as property management, leasing, brokerage, auction, or investment advisory services, etc., thus allowing the client to determine potential conflicts, if any.

Whether for potential or perceived conflicts of interest, disclosure prior to accepting an assignment is important to preserving public trust. The client should have an opportunity to evaluate this information before the appraiser is engaged, or if such potential or perceived conflict of interest is discovered by the appraiser during the assignment. The appraiser must avoid bias – a preference or inclination that may preclude his or her impartiality, independence, or objectivity in the assignment. The perception of possible bias is also potentially damaging to public trust in the appraisal profession. Therefore, appraisers should have an obligation to disclose an interest and potential conflict to the client prior to being engaged in an assignment, or if it is discovered by the appraiser during the assignment.