⇒ What is a termite and what does it look like?
⇒ Termite Diagnosis, Why should it be measured?
⇒ Which properties are affected by the termite diagnosis?
⇒ Who should carry out the termite diagnosis?
⇒ What is the termite diagnosis?
⇒ How is the termite diagnosis carried out?
⇒ Termite diagnosis: how long is it valid?
⇒ Are there any penalties for not having a termite diagnosis?
What is termite diagnosis?
The termite diagnosis sThe purpose of this report is to determine, at the request of the seller and/or the future buyer, whether any termites and others woodborers are present or not within the property.
It must be added to the technical diagnosis file (DDT) at the time of the sale of a house or at its rental.
What is a termite and what does it look like?
The termitessometimes referred to as ants whiteare insects.
Termites can be recognised by their crushing claws.
From a biological point of view termites very similar to cockroaches.
Termites feed mainly on wood and leaves. This is known as xylophagy.
When they do not take up residence in man-made buildings, termites build their nests in damaged trees, tree stumps, between the roots or even directly on the ground.
The tall termite mounds often seen in Africa provide a fabulous air conditioning system capable of maintaining a constant internal temperature regardless of the weather conditions outside.
Termites are a real plague in inhabited buildings, consuming wooden elements. Such as the frameworks.
It only takes a few months for a house to collapse due to overgrown termites, and all without any external signs.
Termite Diagnosis, Why should it be measured?
These wood-boring insects can cause serious damage by ingesting the wood used in housing construction. This can even lead to the collapse of the wood.
A termite diagnosis becomes compulsory if the area of your home is affected. A single declaration of the presence of termites in the town is enough to trigger the process.
Which properties are affected by the termite diagnosis?
The obligation to establish a termite diagnosis is in force since 8 June 1999. The parasitic condition or termite diagnosis concerns :
- single-family houses
- the private parts in co-ownership.
A prefectural decree will target the areas affected by termite and other wood-boring infestation.
Do not hesitate to consult your prefecture, your town hall or your department to find out which areas are at risk and whether a termite diagnosis is compulsory before selling your property.
The South of France is particularly affected by this type of parasite.
For example, the city of Salon de Provence is a area concerned by theobligation to carry out a termite diagnosis as well as the entire Bouches-du-Rhône department.
Who should carry out the termite diagnosis?
- Sale of a dwelling :
By the seller as soon as the property is put up for sale and must be attached to the promise to sell.
- Rental of a dwelling :
By the landlord and attached to the rental agreement
What is the termite diagnosis?
It is not only termites that degrade wood. Our diagnostician has been trained to recognise other biological xylophagous agents, their characteristics, and their modes of attack on wood.
During his diagnosis, our certified technician must mention :
- the dwelling concerned,
- the rooms visited,
- materials that are (or have been) infested by termites.
In case of the presence of termites, measures must be taken to eradicate them.
The presence of termites does not rule out the sale of the property, but the future buyer must be aware of it beforehand.
The search for any other wood pests (xylophagous) is not part of the termite diagnosis but of another diagnosis: the Pest Diagnosis.
It is not only termites that degrade wood. Our diagnostician has been trained to recognise other biological xylophagous agents, their characteristics, and their modes of attack on wood.
During his diagnosis, our certified technician must mention :
- the dwelling concerned,
- the rooms visited,
- materials that are (or have been) infested by termites.
In case of the presence of termites, measures must be taken to eradicate them.
The presence of termites does not rule out the sale of the property, but the future buyer must be aware of it beforehand.
The search for any other wood pests (xylophagous) is not part of the termite diagnosis but of another diagnosis: the Pest Diagnosis.
How is the termite diagnosis carried out?
One of our certified professional diagnosticians will come and carry out an assessment of your home. He will check all the wooden structures by punching them in various places with a special tool.
After analysing these structures, our property diagnostician (home) lists any damage identified and gives a full description of the risks involved. He also mentions (if applicable) whether he was unable to check certain rooms.
In the event of the presence of termitesIn the event of a fire, the owner is obliged to make a declaration to the town hall and disinfection work may become compulsory.
Termite diagnosis: how long is it valid?
It is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
- RentalThe diagnosis has a validity of 6 months maximum from the date of its completion
- SaleThe diagnosis has a validity of 6 months from the date of its completion.
It is advisable to do this as soon as possible after the property is put up for sale, as this electricity diagnosis will be required by the agencies or the future buyer.
Are there any penalties for not having a termite diagnosis?
The Termite diagnosis must be attached to the DDT (technical diagnosis file) which accompanies the compromise or the deed of sale.
When selling a property, if the buyer detects the presence of termites and the seller has not provided a termite diagnosis, the seller can be sued for latent defect and is considered to have committed fraud (The dol is a civil offence of defect in consent. Fraud is sanctioned by the nullity of the contract. In addition, the seller or lessor may be subject to criminal sanctions.)
Sale of property and non-compliant termite diagnosis: who should pay for compliance and/or clearance work?
In the event of the presence of woodborers and/or deteriorated wooden structures in the dwelling, the law obliges the seller to carry out the work to bring the dwelling into conformity. This can be done either by the seller, who will have the work done at his own expense before the sale, or by the buyer, who will have the work done at his expense.
This is an agreement that will be specified on the promise to sell the property concerned.
If the seller does not wish to carry out this work, the potential buyer will be able to request a reduction in the sale price.
Termite diagnosis: what are the legal requirements?
The termite diagnosis is concerned with :
The law 99-471 of 8 June 1999 "tending to protect purchasers and owners of buildings against termites and other wood-boring insects" imposes an obligation to search on the seller.
Termite Diagnosis Tariff ?
The price varies according to the surface area of the house and is degressive if you have several diagnoses carried out at the same time (such as the DPE diagnosis or the lead diagnosis for example).
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