2 Pest Reports -- Buyer To Receive Both
Below is an article from "California Department of Real Estate Bulletin, Summer 2004" entitled "PEST CONTROL REPORTS FULL DISCLOSURE A MUST!"
"...In recent times, the Department has seen a number of cases involving material omissions with respect to the disclosure of the findings in pest control reports.
"... It is not uncommon for an agent to request a second pest control inspection from a different company when the results of the first report are in question or not to their liking. Problems arise if the agent then fails to disclose the results of the first report to the purchaser. Sometimes, the second report may not include all of the issues that were listed in the first report. Other times, the two reports may identify the same problems, but suggest the use of different methods of treatment to remedy the problems. For instance, one inspector might recommend treating and replacement while another inspector may only recommend treatment.
"... If there is more than one report, all reports must be delivered to the purchaser. A broker can not pick and choose, even when the reports are almost identical in their findings and recommendations. In addition to potential civil penalities, the failure to do so is grounds of adminstrative disciplinary action against the licensee involved." [end of the article]
SOLUTION:
1) ASK for all inspection reports (home & pest)
2) LOOK for pest company labels (crawl space, attic, water heater closets, central heater closet
3) VERIFY that the copy of the pest report is (are) the label(s) attached to the home
4) RECEIVE a copy directly from the inspector or company
5) COMPARE the copy received from agent and company
Cheryl Lopez
Aren't all reports also on file w/ the structural pest board?
Good way to find a non-disclosed report.
Will the pest control board release that info? Have you called them and requested that info before?
All pest report companies are required to place their company's "label" either in crawl space, attic, water heater closet, central heater closet.
Now I have heard about a former real estate agent that removed the pest label
so only the most recent label was available. But that was a violation and the agent lost their license.
I do recommend the buyer to ask for all reports and see how the listing agent and seller responds. If an agent or seller are trying to cover up info and reports you need their communication back that only 1 report is available and to obtain "their copy" of any altered report ... at least for evidence.
Cheryl Lopez [ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 07/07/2004 ]
I was told they had an inquiry line and as the owner or buyer of the property you would have access.
I'mm try to call tomorrow as I'm about to close on a place that does need to be tented.
When the pest control companies post their labels on the areas mentioned ... then the buyer and buyer's agent can look there and obtain the companies names, date of inspection. Then contact the pest control companies for a report.
If only one pest control company lable is posted on the home and the buyer or buyer's agent wants to check if other pest inspections have been done ... then
by contacting the pest control board would be beneficial to verify any other outstanding inspections done. But by asking the seller in writing as part of the purchase contract is also a good why to go.
This recent bulletin from California Dept of Real Estate reminded me about handling pest control reports and wanted to share this info to working people and buyers.
Cheryl Lopez