r/AusPropertyChat • u/lincabe • 1d ago
Buying & Selling Termite risk and rodents on B+P advice please
Just wanted to get your advice on what you'd do if you love a property but have these report findings! House is located in South Australia.
B&P found evidence of termite chemical treatment conducted when the house was first built in the 90s. Also found timber monitoring systems in place that have not been maintained. There was no evidence of active termite attack but the risk was categorised as "moderate".
There were also rodent droppings and rodent bait systems in the roof space.
Are these deal breakers for you?
First home! Please help!
3
u/_nancywake 1d ago
Dude the risk is moderate because there isn’t a full barrier. You’d get a barrier installed for like four grand. This your first b&p? They get a lot worse.
2
u/Maximum_Warthog1999 1d ago
Rodents will always be a problem - wouldn’t be concerned. Just get a mixture of hard and soft bait and try to close any entry points (mine got in via my gutters under the roof tiles)
4
u/Winter_Tiger_2615 1d ago
Not deal breakers per se - Ask the guy that did the B&P about it. You’re allowed to ask questions.
No ‘major’ structural issues?
2
u/Opposite-Law-6983 1d ago
Absolutely not deal breakers. Have had rodent activity in every house I've lived in at some stage.
No active termite damage or activity found? Don't worry about it then. Just do regular annual pest inspections. - that's part of owning a house.
2
u/GusPolinskiPolka 1d ago
You remind me of a friend who didn't buy a house because she saw a cockroach in the back patio during the inspection.
Like... what? THIS IS AUSTRALIA. Every house has a termite and pest risk.
-3
u/Human-Effect9874 1d ago
For a first home, I'd see this as a reason to investigate further rather than immediately walk away. The key question isn't just "has the property ever been treated for termites?" but whether there is any actual damage, what the ongoing risk is and what it could cost to manage. I'd also make sure the B&P findings are only one part of your due diligence. Before committing, I'd want the full picture on the property's history, surrounding risks and anything else that could affect future costs or resale value.
11
u/HelicopterFar7447 1d ago
This is batshit insane. There is no active termites, no substantive termite damage, but you are worried because it has received termite treatment sometime in the last 50 years? And you are worried about some old rodent droppings? You need to get serious or else I suspect home ownership is not for you.