What must be true for a party to be deemed an intended user of an appraisal?

For a party to be considered an intended user of an appraisal, it is essential that the appraiser identifies them at the time of the assignment. This identification serves to clarify that the party is recognized as someone for whom the appraisal was specifically prepared. In the context of appraisal practice, intended users are those individuals or entities for whom the appraiser acknowledges the appraisal's usefulness, and identifying these users helps establish the appraiser's liability and obligations regarding the report.

This process is critical, as it ensures that all parties involved understand who is meant to benefit from the appraisal, protecting both the appraisers and the intended users. Without the appraiser identifying an intended user, it becomes unclear who may rely on the findings of the appraisal, potentially leading to issues with accountability and the intended application of the appraisal's conclusions.

In contrast, while the client providing a copy of the appraisal report or requiring written consent may be relevant in certain contexts, they don't directly establish a party as an intended user as clearly as identification at the time of assignment does. Similarly, a direct request from a party does not automatically qualify them as an intended user unless they are explicitly acknowledged as such by the appraiser during the assignment process.