Our Building Inspection Turned Up Termites - What Now?!?!

[KirstyM]

Originally Posted by Pinhead

Just my thoughts but if they've been having regular pest control carried out then either the company they were using were useless or the damage won't be that serious.
It sounds like the house you are looking at is in an area where termite damage/potential damage is common. If you buy another house in a similar location then potentially you could face potential termite problems in future anyway regardless of which house you buy.

I'd get in contact with few local pest control companies (not the one the owner used!) and get written quotes to get it fixed or ask the seller to do it.

Yep, pardon the pun but this area is absolutely infested with pest control companies! We are also fans of wooden houses on rainforest blocks. It's not hard to see the association between our taste in homes and the wee hungry wood beasties.

They were proudly displaying their pest control report at the open home showing that it was "termite and pest free".

Originally Posted by tracy123

maybe if you speak to the buyer and you both get a couple of quotes each?
It will need to be done wether you buy the house or not. If you do go ahead make sure all work is done and then get your original building inspector back in (at their cost) to give it the once over.
Once the a ok is given then sign! alot of messing but its better than costing you down the line!
A house is for life, not just for Christmas

I think our main concern is to make sure we know exactly the extent of the problem... so we can make an informed decision from there. We just feel a bit lost right now. Time for wine and the yellow pages as you say!!

Thanks guys.

[KirstyM]

Just an update...

We just went to do a walk round of the house, building report in hand.

The owners were totally mortified and apologetic as they'd had a pest report done 4 weeks before the property went on to the market and it came back clear (infrared images etc). They've had the problem treated (for free by the bloke who missed it) and as it transpires it was a recent infestation. All the affected woodwork is being replaced, as is a corroded house stump we'd not even had time to quibble over yet.

They say the'll fix anything at all we want that the report has brought up. So we'll ask our solicitor to get our concerns put into the contract, get them fixed, and we will have a further inspection done just before the contract settles to make sure everything has been done to a good standard.

OH.... and they are future grey nomads. They've kindly agreed to leave the house entirely furnished for us. 3 sofas, 4 beds, lazyboy chair, 2 x dining table set, outdoor seating, fridge, beer fridge, rugs, storage, and anything else they think a young couple might need. Will save us a fair whack of cash as we have nothing!

What a relief!!

[calNgary]

If that pest control guy will warranty his work ,you should be ok ,as god forbid they did come back he would have to do the work at his expense,at least the owners are being genuine about it ,,looks like you may have got yourself a bargain ,just get rid of any trees or stumps near the house especially if they have nests in ,,good luck with everything
Cal x

[Bobcat]

Originally Posted by KirstyM

Just an update...

We just went to do a walk round of the house, building report in hand.

The owners were totally mortified and apologetic as they'd had a pest report done 4 weeks before the property went on to the market and it came back clear (infrared images etc). They've had the problem treated (for free by the bloke who missed it) and as it transpires it was a recent infestation. All the affected woodwork is being replaced, as is a corroded house stump we'd not even had time to quibble over yet.

They say the'll fix anything at all we want that the report has brought up. So we'll ask our solicitor to get our concerns put into the contract, get them fixed, and we will have a further inspection done just before the contract settles to make sure everything has been done to a good standard.

OH.... and they are future grey nomads. They've kindly agreed to leave the house entirely furnished for us. 3 sofas, 4 beds, lazyboy chair, 2 x dining table set, outdoor seating, fridge, beer fridge, rugs, storage, and anything else they think a young couple might need. Will save us a fair whack of cash as we have nothing!

What a relief!!

Good luck with your termite problem. here in the West we handle such problems by adding Annexure 'A' to our contract. It's there in black and white then what the various options are.

Hope all goes well for you; they are little destructive buggers so let's hope the damage they caused was kept to a minimum.


Regards

Johnno

ANNEXURE “A”

TIMBER PEST INSPECTION :

This offer is conditional upon a Timber Pest Inspection Report ‘AS 4349.3’ being obtained prior to settlement and at the expense of the BUYER/S. Such a report should state that the property within the boundaries of the property or within 50 metres of the main dwelling, whichever is the lesser, is free from live termite activity as at the date of inspection and/or free from visible structural damage from previous termite activity that would render the main building unsafe.

Should the certificate disclose live termite activity and/or structural damage from previous termite activity and should the SELLER at his/her own expense be unwilling to eradicate, remedy, or rectify such termite activity or structural damage; then the BUYER/S may at any time prior to settlement give notice in writing to terminate the Contract whereupon the Contract shall be at an end and all monies paid hereunder shall be repaid to the BUYER without deduction.

If the BUYER/S do not terminate the contract then he/she shall be deemed to have waived the benefit of this timber pest inspection clause.

The buyer authorises JOHN MASON REAL ESTATE to instruct a reputable pest control firm to provide inspection and subsequent report.

GOOD WORKING ORDER:
The SELLER/S warrant that all electrical, gas and plumbing (inclusive of all swimming pool equipment and /or reticulation if applicable) shall be in good working order at settlement.

At settlement date should any repairs required to meet this condition not have been affected; the SELLER/S authorise their Settlement Agent to withhold monies from the settlement proceeds and to pay for such repairs as required.



Buyer : …………………………………………………. Date : ……./………/………