Termites and the law

Aware of the nature of the problem and need for applying new measures for the struggle that are both realistic and effective, lawmakers adopted a series of measures against termites in 1999. From the level of parasites included in real estate contracts, to the requirement to declare the presence of termites at the town hall, along with giving mayors the authority to require the diagnosis and/or treatment of a property, the measures are now in place to track closely this worrisome scourge...

The legislation

• Determining the parasite condition
  In June 1999, the French National Assembly voted for a law on termites. One of the goals of this law was to protect purchasers of real estate.
  
  The nightmare of new owners entering their property to find, once they have already signed a contract, that it is infested with termites... happens all too often!
  
  The law, therefore, in Article 8, requires the seller to determine the parasite condition of the property, performed by an independent company not involved in extermination activities.
  
  Without this document, and if the property is infested, the guarantee against latent defects is applied.
  
  
• Acting to provide more information
  A further goal involves informing the public about "termite" risks. The law is aimed at developing greater awareness and visibility of the termite-infested zones. As a consequence, each property owner who finds termites must declare their presence to the mayor's office... The office must therefore collect this information and make it available for everyone under its jurisdiction: the "ostrich method" is theoretically no longer possible!
  
  
• Increased municipal powers
  Orders by the prefect will make locating termite zones somewhat more official. In these areas, the obligation to treat rubble and demolition debris should reduce the risk of spreading through colony division. Municipal orders will also determine the termite zones and set the limits of the mayor's authority to require diagnosis and/or treatment. In fact, lawmakers have provided the authority for the mayor, in the public interest, to require property owners to have his or her property diagnosed, and under other conditions, to have it treated...