Important Information for Home Buyers

*How can a home buyer find out if the home they want to buy is not infested or damaged by termites? What should a home buyer do if there is evidence of infestation or damage?
New properties less than 3 years, prior to property erection the foundation before cement slabs are laid Post-construction Soil Treatment are mandatory. Hence, past termite treatments and termite protection records from the developer on the structure for at least the last three years is useful.

*What if a home buyer discovers damage or an infestation after getting a "clear" report from a Pest Inspection Report (PIR) and are penning on the S&P?
Unfortunately, it is entirely possible for this to happen even when the pest control inspector or the home seller has done everything correctly. The inspection report only evidence that is visible and accessible at the time of the inspection. If evidence of infestation or damage was behind a wall, or under a floor, it may not have been visible or accessible at the time of inspection.

Note*** also, that the infestation could re-occur due from pest colony migration, and newly formed colonies. Hence, past treatment records will assist the Pest Control Company to consider and make relevant judgment on top of the visual inspection conducted.

*What should a home buyer do if "visible damage" is reported on an initial PIR, and then the damage is repaired? 
Any report of visible damage or infestation is an indication that termites have been or are present in the structure. Repair of damage may or may not have resolved the problem. Home buyers should investigate further to determine the status of the protection on the structure and determine if the damage repaired was a symptom of more extensive infestation or damage.

Key Points: 
Don’t rely on the PIR alone 
Be present when the PIR is done 
Obtain documentation on termite treatment history and copies of protection

*What is a "clear" report? 
A "clear" report is a report that states that no evidence of wood destroying organisms infestation or damage was visible and accessible at the time of the inspection.

*What does a "clear" report mean? 
A "clear" report means that there was no evidence of wood destroying organisms infestation or damage visible and accessible to the inspector at the time of the inspection. It does NOT mean, however, that the buyer can be absolutely assured that there are no wood destroying organisms infesting the structure or that there is no hidden damage from termites or other wood destroying organisms.

Note*** it is very possible for termite or other damage or infestations to be behind walls or in some other inaccessible location even in structures that receive "clear" reports. 
Such an infestation or damage may be hidden (therefore not visible and accessible), or may have been repaired by the seller and therefore not visible and accessible to the pest control inspector.