#12946
struggler
Flatchatter

    I live in a townhouse complex.  We too have had owners with termite damage.  No-one had every thought of having termite inspections.

    We started a yearly inspection programme for each owner to arrange and pay for themselves.  We did this as we know of one complex where the EC/OC arranges inspections whether the owner is there or not.  Some residents in this complex have “proof” that no one came into their lot and actually did the inspection!  This complex has had continuing termite infestations.

    We, however, with owners being present and organising their own, have had no more incidents since.  We thought that by putting the responsibility of checking for termites that we may reduce our own liability (ie if we organised/picked the pest company and there were problems it would be our responsibility but owners arranging/paying it would be theirs?)

    The owners who have had termites in their places have arranged and paid for treatments themselves.  We put it to owners that if they wished the EC/OC to do this, we would have to increase levies to cover inspections and any treatments.  Owners here would rather low levies, pay for inspections and treatments should they need it.

    We believe that in making owners responsible, they will ensure that their homes are not “termite inviting” and take on the advice from their pest company in not storing items around the house that may encourage termites.