| The National Pest Management Association recently released a new form that must be used for Real Estate Closing Inspections, form NPMA-33. This form officially started being used on January 1, 2005. A sample copy of this form may be found on the website of the National Pest Management Association, www.pestworld.org/consumer/ . Although there were a number of changes in the form, there were several that were major and we would like to go over some of these changes to help you understand them. 1. If evidence of termites are observed, even if no activity is present, and there is no evidence of a previous treatment and the house is not under a termite warranty with a licensed pest control company a treatment must be recommended. 2. If evidence of termites with no activity present is observed and there is evidence of a previous treatment a treatment must be recommended unless there is proof of a liquid treatment within the last five years (written treatment certificate) or the house is currently under a warranty with a licensed pest control company (a written current warranty must be available). 3. There are a number of other changes including inaccessible areas and a disclaimer that this inspection does not include mold, mildew or noninsect wood destroying organisms. If you are a real estate agent we reccomend the following items that may help with the smooth sale of a home in regards to the termite inspection: 1. Check with the homeowner when listing a home to see if there has been a previous treatment for active termites. If so find out when the treatment was performed. If a treatment has been performed within the last five years have the owner obtain a copy of the treatment report so that it can be supplied at the closing as proof of treatment. 2. If the homeowner has not had the house treated within the last five years but the home is under a warranty program with a licensed pest control company have the home owner obtain a copy of the current warranty aggreement so that it can be supplied at the closing. 3. If the homeowner is unaware if the house has had termites or previous treatments you may want to recommend having a preliminary inspection done before listing the house. This will alert you and the homeowner as to whether a treatment will be recommended before closing. 4. Talking with the homeowner before listing about these items may help, especially if it is possible the owners will move away from the area before the house is sold. Once they have moved they may not be able to find evidence of a previous treatment. If you have any questions regarding these changes or other changes in the new form please do not hesitate to contact us.
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