Purchased House With Subterranean Termites

[patel8786]

Hi all

Please can you help.

I purchased a house and the transfer went through at the end of Feb.
In the entomology report, subterranean termites were found in the garage and was treated.
On Saturday we found that between the bedroom cupboard and the wall there was a huge nest of subterranean termites (approximately 2m by 2.5m).
This bedroom is adjacent to the garage that was treated (they share a wall).

Additionally immediately outside the garage there are subterranean termites in the wall.

Due to the extent of the damage its clear that the termites have been there from long before I bought the house and also it is not even a meter away from where they were found when the entomology report was done.

I wanted to know if I have any recourse in this situation.

Thanks

 

[Kosmik]

Have you tried contacting the company that issued the cert? I'm not sure how long it is guaranteed for though.

 

[vic777]

Hi all

Please can you help.

I purchased a house and the transfer went through at the end of Feb.
In the entomology report, subterranean termites were found in the garage and was treated.
On Saturday we found that between the bedroom cupboard and the wall there was a huge nest of subterranean termites (approximately 2m by 2.5m).
This bedroom is adjacent to the garage that was treated (they share a wall).

Additionally immediately outside the garage there are subterranean termites in the wall.

Due to the extent of the damage its clear that the termites have been there from long before I bought the house and also it is not even a meter away from where they were found when the entomology report was done.

I wanted to know if I have any recourse in this situation.

Thanks

Was your report done prior to purchase?

Also, when you talk about recourse, are you referring to recourse against the seller or whoever did the report?

 

[Geoff.D]

I find it very disturbing when I see reports like this. Any reputable company in the business of solving ant problems should know that localised treatment of termites will not work.

 

[patel8786]

Was your report done prior to purchase?

Also, when you talk about recourse, are you referring to recourse against the seller or whoever did the report?

Yes prior to purchase.

There's two issues here.
1. Termites found in the treated area. (which the seller paid for)
2. Termites found in the adjacent area which was not treated.

The problem here is that if the pest company did not do the inspection and/or treatment correctly.
So who pays for their mistake? I don't see them drilling 20 more holes and covering the cost themselves for the area not already treated.
Does the seller now have to pay for it at this point?

 

[vic777]

Yes prior to purchase.

There's two issues here.
1. Termites found in the treated area. (which the seller paid for)
2. Termites found in the adjacent area which was not treated.

The problem here is that if the pest company did not do the inspection and/or treatment correctly.
So who pays for their mistake? I don't see them drilling 20 more holes and covering the cost themselves for the area not already treated.
Does the seller now have to pay for it at this point?

Usually they have to drill and inject poison around the entire house, I've never heard of localised treatment only working. In some cases there are more nests above the damp course - then they have to drill from another point.

I doubt the seller is liable, especially if you were made aware of the problem before purchasing the property.

Most reputable pest control companies offer a warranty on any treatment done

 

[maumau]

Pied Piper (Johannesburg) usually drill into the foundations and give a guarantee.

 

[airborne]

Looks like the seller choose the "cheap" option just to get the piece of paper.

 

[patel8786]

I called a different entomologist, they found termites in the garage which was already treated.
I then called the original entomologist, they have agreed to re-treat the affected area.

I suggest that anyone buying a house includes a clause that if termites are found the owner must be responsible for all required treatments for 1 year, because there's a good chance termites are there, just not visible as yet.

According to a few entomologist, they don't treat the whole property, they treat the problem areas only.

 

[Geoff.D]

I called a different entomologist, they found termites in the garage which was already treated.
I then called the original entomologist, they have agreed to re-treat the affected area.

I suggest that anyone buying a house includes a clause that if termites are found the owner must be responsible for all required treatments for 1 year, because there's a good chance termites are there, just not visible as yet.

According to a few entomologist, they don't treat the whole property, they treat the problem areas only.

If that is so, it is a new approach. When I moved into my house (looooong before the seller had t produce all these bits of paper), I had the whole house treated regardless of whether there were visible signs of ants or not, simply because I observed termites in a neighbors yard.

 

[Kosmik]

If that is so, it is a new approach. When I moved into my house (looooong before the seller had t produce all these bits of paper), I had the whole house treated regardless of whether there were visible signs of ants or not, simply because I observed termites in a neighbors yard.

You can choose to do that but the requirement is a clearance cert only which can be obtained with either localized treatment or tenting depending on severity. Subterranean, I'm not sure.