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All Members
RE: Woodborer inspection reports and certificates.
There have been a number of queries related to what the official position of SAPCA and its members are on the matter of reporting on infestations found during an inspection.
For the purposes of clarification then, it is important that ALL MEMBERS stick to the practice of reporting on any infestations found regardless of the limitations imposed by the beetle clause in the deed of sale. In other words, the report should be an accurate reflection of the condition of the in- situ timbers on the date of inspection, along with the applicable SAPCA recommendation for the remedial work. For example, if anobium punctatum (common furniture beetle) is noted on the floors and /or skirting’s and/ or doorframes, these should be noted on the report regardless it the beetle clauses is specific to “notifiable beetle” or “Oxyplerus nodieri and Hylotrupes Baljulus only” along with a recommendation to treat the infestation appropriately.
In the above instance a certificate with limitations can be issued which MUST be endorsed with the statement: “THIS CERTIFICATE SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REPORT”. This certificate does not include clearance for all wood destroying organism infestation that may be present. The onus is then on the purchaser to request a copy of the report
It would be an unethical business practice to turn a blind eye and fail to report on any active or inactive infestations found. Most certainly it would be contrary to the SAPCA code of conduct which aims at protecting the interests of the public which would include those of the purchaser.
All estate agents should be encourage to make use of the standard SAPCA beetle clause that can be downloaded from www.sapca.org.za or obtained from Lynette Cokayne at the SAPCA offices.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Enslin
SAPCA – President
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