Termite Guidelines
The California Department of Consumer Affairs regulates the testing and reporting requirements for this vulnerable state. Dry-wood, damp-wood, and subterranean termites are a problem for home-owners from Orange County to Sacramento. Pest control companies must keep their written reports for three years. The reports must include inspection dates, the name of the inspector, the contact information for the party who ordered the inspection, the address and description of the inspected property, and a diagram of the building showing areas of infestation. Conditions that may lead to infestation must also be noted in the report. Any pesticides to be used to treat infestation must also be identified.
Consumer Affairs in Sacramento requires that the home appraiser visually inspects the property for termite damage even if a recent "all clear" report has been filed. If evidence is found to support the presence of termites, the appraiser must request a new, full report of all structures on the property. Repairs to outbuildings such as detached garages may be waived if the appraiser determines that these structures add no value to the property. The purchasers must sign a statement acknowledging and accepting the untreated structures, or the structures must be removed from the property.
In Arizona, the Structural Pest Control Commission maintains inspection and reporting requirements. The inspector must use a state-specific termite report. Evidence of termites or termite damage must be included in the report, along with detailed descriptions of the affected sites on the property. Conditions that may contribute to future infestation, such as excessive moisture, must also be noted. Areas that could not be inspected due to lack of accessibility must be identified; and the name of the inspector, property owner, and the property address must also appear on the report.
The Texas Structural Pest Control Board maintains the requirements for termite reporting. Like Arizona, Texas outlines on its state-specific form what items must documented. The inspection is limited to visible and accessible parts of the property. The name of the inspector, the name of the person who purchased the inspection, the address of the property, and notations of visible damage or conditions conducive to damage must be reported.
The fact that these state agencies exist is not meant to imply that termite reports are required by the states. They maintain inspection and reporting standards for inspectors. Generally, it’s the lender that requires the termite inspection as part of the application process. If you have any questions regarding termite inspection requirements in your area, you should call your real estate agent to find out what to expect when buying a house.