"Over the next few months homeowners should be on the lookout for termite activity because early spring is when these insects start their colonising flights.
With plenty of moisture in the air and daily temperatures rising slowly as summer approaches, conditions are ideal for termites as they scout for food and search for new places to live.
Each year termites cause in excess of $900 million damage to Australian homes and not always to older homes in established areas which is a common misperception.
A competent pest controller can provide you with a report on possibly termite activity in your home or yard and precautionary actions to prevent infestations. These actions can involve inspecting the dwelling, including the roof void, below the floor if applicable and areas up to 50 meters from the main building.
In Western Australia it is common for homebuyers to obtain a pre-purchase timber pest inspection as a condition of the property sale.
With plenty of moisture in the air and daily temperatures rising slowly as summer approaches, conditions are ideal for termites as they scout for food and search for new places to live.
Each year termites cause in excess of $900 million damage to Australian homes and not always to older homes in established areas which is a common misperception.
A competent pest controller can provide you with a report on possibly termite activity in your home or yard and precautionary actions to prevent infestations. These actions can involve inspecting the dwelling, including the roof void, below the floor if applicable and areas up to 50 meters from the main building.
In Western Australia it is common for homebuyers to obtain a pre-purchase timber pest inspection as a condition of the property sale.
These inspections should be carried out in accordance with Australian Standards which reports on termites, borers, fungal decay, moisture, chemical delignification (where timber deteriorates due to salty ocean air or excessive car fumes from busy roads), and other items related to conducive conditions.
These inspections are normally a visual inspection only, although more invasive inspections can be requested or recommended. The purchaser should understand the limitations of the inspection and a pre-engagement document may be offered.
REIWA has drafted a standard clause for timber pests and recommends that buyers ask the selling agent to include this standard clause as an annexure to the Offer and Acceptance Form as a condition of the sale.
It then becomes a condition of the contract that a report is obtained from a licensed pest control operator at the purchaser’s expense within a given time period. Usually this is not more than five business days before settlement.
The timber pest clause requires certification that all structural improvements to the residential house are free from termite and other timber pest activity on the date of inspection and whether there was any previous damage.
If the report uncovers any termite or any other timber pest activity or damage to the structural improvements, the seller will be required to remedy the situation at the seller’s expense. If the seller declines to take appropriate action then the purchaser can cancel the contract.
Equally, a purchaser can choose not to have any pest inspection form part of the contract if it is felt unnecessary, such as with a newly built home or one made entirely of bricks and concrete."
These inspections are normally a visual inspection only, although more invasive inspections can be requested or recommended. The purchaser should understand the limitations of the inspection and a pre-engagement document may be offered.
REIWA has drafted a standard clause for timber pests and recommends that buyers ask the selling agent to include this standard clause as an annexure to the Offer and Acceptance Form as a condition of the sale.
It then becomes a condition of the contract that a report is obtained from a licensed pest control operator at the purchaser’s expense within a given time period. Usually this is not more than five business days before settlement.
The timber pest clause requires certification that all structural improvements to the residential house are free from termite and other timber pest activity on the date of inspection and whether there was any previous damage.
If the report uncovers any termite or any other timber pest activity or damage to the structural improvements, the seller will be required to remedy the situation at the seller’s expense. If the seller declines to take appropriate action then the purchaser can cancel the contract.
Equally, a purchaser can choose not to have any pest inspection form part of the contract if it is felt unnecessary, such as with a newly built home or one made entirely of bricks and concrete."
This article was sourced from REIWA.
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