The only thing to add for the pest control is that the timber pest report should be done to as4349.3 (which covers all timber pests and not just termites) and the pesty should be conversant with this standard. If he doesn’t know it, DO NOT USE HIM. I am a pesty in WA and am continually blown away by the cowboys in the industry. It can also be a bit depressing as it sometimes gives the good ones a bad name [!]
Just one thing I would like to clear up. If kids purchase and decide they don’t want to move in (they possibly will move in, but not 100%), we would advise FHOG of this, not wait to get caught. Would there still be a penalty under these circumstances and do you still think this is unethical??
I have another question regarding FHOG. The properties that my kids are looking at are in a place where they may not be able to move into. More likely that they wouldn’t then they would. If you receive FHOG and then later on let them know that you are not going to be able to move in due to circumstances, do you only have to pay back FHOG, or is there e penalty?
It could be a way to get into investors market. Would it be ethical??
A PPI is a Pre Purchase Inspection. Must be done to AS4349.3
A competent pesty should;
1. Be insured
2. Have at least Certificate 2
3. Be a member of AEPMA (Australian Environmental
Pest Managers Assosciation)
4. Be conversant with Australian Standards. If
he doesn’t know the standard, don’t get him!!
Also, I would never get a recommendation from a real estate rep, unles I knew and trusted him. As I said before, a lot of reps just want the deal to go through and will sometimes pressure the pesty to write a favourable report. And most of them have no idea about timber pests.
Make sure of the pest report wording. Many times there is evidence of termites (but no live ones at the time of the report) and the wording (usually written by a rep who is only interested in closing the deal) quite often states that live termites have to be found and in the house. This does not stack up with AS4349.3, which all PPI’s are suppose to conform to. Any competent pesty will work to this standard. Just because they are not active on the day of the inspection, doesn’t mean that they have left the property. And if termites are found, it is a problem that can be fixed, once again if you have a competent pesty. In summary, if you ask for the clause to comply with as4349.3 AND you engage a competent pesty, you should be right. (Only referring to pest report) Other things mentioned should still be followed through.