Who pays for a termite inspection?
The person who asks for the inspection normally pays for it. The exceptions are worth knowing.
The short answer: whoever orders it
As a rule, the person who books the inspector pays the inspector. A buyer who arranges a pre-purchase inspection pays for it. A homeowner who wants a check on their own house pays for that too.
The details change with the situation, so it helps to look at each one.
If you are buying
The buyer usually organises and pays for the building and pest inspection, and the report is written for the buyer. That is why a seller's old report is no substitute. It was prepared for someone else, on another day.
If the contract in your state sets out who must provide a report, read that clause with your conveyancer or solicitor. We cannot interpret it for you.
If you are selling
A seller may choose to commission an inspection to know what a buyer might find. That is their own choice and cost. Buyers still tend to want their own report, so a seller's copy does not always save anyone money.
If you own the house
Regular inspections are the owner's responsibility. A good rhythm is the one your inspector recommends for your area and construction, and after any sign of activity. Waiting for damage to show is the expensive way to find out.
If you rent or manage a property
Who carries the cost between a landlord and a tenant depends on the lease and on state tenancy rules. Ask Consumer Affairs or Fair Trading in your state, or the managing agent, rather than assuming.
What to confirm before you book
- What the inspection covers: a timber pest inspection, a building inspection or both.
- Who the report is addressed to: this decides who can rely on it.
- Who holds the report and whether it can be shared.
- What is excluded: roof void, subfloor, areas behind stored items.
Put the answers in an email so there is no argument later.
If termites are found
Leave the area untouched. Spraying or breaking mud tubes can make the colony move, and it removes the evidence the inspector uses. Further work is done by a licensed technician.
Frequently asked questions
Does the seller have to pay for the inspection?
Not usually. Buyers normally arrange and pay for their own, though contract terms vary by state, so check with a conveyancer or solicitor.
Can I rely on an inspection report the seller already has?
Be careful. It was written for someone else on a different day. Ask the inspector whether it can be relied on by you, or arrange your own.
Who pays for treatment if termites are found?
That depends on your contract and your situation, and it is a question for a conveyancer or solicitor. The inspection itself is a separate cost.
Sources
What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.
- Standards Australia. Australian Standards (AS 3660 termite management, AS 4349.3 timber pest inspection)
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Protect against termites — termite management systems and inspections