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Termites
What
are termites?
Termites
are little insects that are particularly partial to eating wood.
There are different types of termites, some of which live
underground and some of which live in trees.
They tend to be found in warmer areas, especially where there is a
lot of woodland. They have in
the past been found in greatest concentration in the South West of France
but have since spread to other areas, taking the benefit of increased
urbanisation.
A
termite:
Why
are they a cause for concern?
They
are a cause for concern due to the extensive damage that they can cause to
the wooden parts of properties in a very short space of time.
Certain termites remain in the trees rather than attacking internal
wood but can be introduced via chopped firewood and once inside will feast
on beams, furniture e.t.c.
If
a property is infested by termites, can anything be done?
The
woodwork that has been attacked can be treated or may even need to be
replaced in the event that the damage caused is irreparable.
Chemical barriers can be positioned around a property to prevent
future attack and the spreading of the problem.
Quotes can be obtained from companies specialised in such
treatment. The cost of
treatment will depend upon the degree of infestation and the damage
caused.
How
is a purchaser protected against termites?
Areas
which have suffered from termite infestation are the subject of a decree
ordering that each property sold in that area is to be the object of a
termite survey. A properly
drafted first contract (‘compromis’) should state that if the presence
of termites is revealed by the survey the purchaser can withdraw with the
deposit returned. The survey
must be drawn up within three months prior to the signing of the deed of
completion of the purchase (‘acte authentique’) by a specialist.
Occasionally, the termite infestation is known about and the
purchaser has been made aware of the survey prior to signing the first
contract (‘compromis’). In
this situation, the purchaser will buy the property with this pre-existing
problem and should ensure that he or she is fully aware of the extent of
the problem and how much it will cost to rectify before becoming
contractually bound into the purchase.
How
can you protect your house against future termite attack?
You
can treat the wooden parts of the property against insect attack
generally. It is also
recommended, especially for those who live in warm, woodland areas, to
commission a survey of the property and the grounds once every three years
to ensure that there is no risk of infestation by termites.
If the survey reveals that there is such a risk or that infestation
has occurred, the owner of the property must inform the local
administration without delay. The
same obligation to notify the local administration applies if termites are
discovered in an area not subject to compulsory termite checks.
03/03/2003
- Issue of the week
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