Termites/strata unit/ SA

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by Sannie, 2nd Jul, 2015.

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  1. Sannie

    Sannie Well-Known Member

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    HI All. Can someone please advice me how should I proceed any further? I own and reside in a unit here in SA. It is an old unit purchased in 2013 (apparently my first property and as I understand now I took the hard and expensive way to learn things). My friends were staying here before I moved back in here last week and to my shock I found few termites in there as well. As I am not an expert I haven't touched or tried to do anything physical other than reading up "what to do" on Internet and until now haven't found anything pleasant.

    The unit is a single story strata titled building in a group of six. strata corp doesn't have much money in sinking fund on the downside.

    I am the seceratary and treasurer as no other owners are interested or least bothered even to attend the AGMs.


    Please advice.

    Sannie.
     
  2. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    Hiya,

    I've used and recommended http://www.lawlorpestcontrol.com.au/ for termite treatment. I think they don't charge anything to come out and have a look and can quote on what might be needed in your scenario.

    So, question is, is the termite damage expected to be in your unit specifically or in shared/common property? This will answer who's job it is to pay :p
     
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  3. Corey Batt

    Corey Batt Well-Known Member

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    Determine where the termites are - if this is a single joined structure for the 6 units, you might be in for a world of pain.

    This can include having to push through the processes of raising an emergency levy, but you can only bleed so much blood out of stone.

    This is one of the downsides of strata properties, as well as why its prudent to check over the sinking fund balances for any purchase - low/no funds for one off expenditure is a huge red flag.
     
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  4. rhinsor

    rhinsor Well-Known Member

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    Are you 100% sure they are termites?
     
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  5. Sannie

    Sannie Well-Known Member

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    If someone can confirm me the one in the pic are not termites I would be more than glad. I keep finding one or two every day.
     

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  6. rhinsor

    rhinsor Well-Known Member

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    That is a house cricket, the worst they do is chirp when you are trying to sleep at night.
     
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  7. Propertunity

    Propertunity Well-Known Member

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    ^ ^ agreed. Seriously google "termite" pics and you will see what one looks like. You won't see one one or two every day "walking around".
     
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  8. Sannie

    Sannie Well-Known Member

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    Firstly Thank you all. And sorry for the false alarm that I raised. Initially I discovered those house crickets in dozens dwelling under the fridge which was balanced upon a sheet of cardboard. When I pulled the fridge out of the space to clean I saw those house crickets in dozens under the half eaten card boards and needless to say I panicked. Following DT's advice I used lawlor's service and I have to say they were wonderful offering a very prompt service, didn't sell me anything but educated me about termites and also have say I wasn't charged anything for the inspection.

    All in all there are no termites at the moment. By law I was told starta properties have to undergo termite treatments? Which I'll follow up with my body corp to know when was it carried out And if it wasn't in recent years I'll try to convince other unit owners as well and undergo a termite treatment ASAP. Even of others are not willing it is not an issue as mine is a corner allotment I'll have treatment done on other three sides of my unit at least. For the peace of mind assured for few more years.
     
  9. macca

    macca Member

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  10. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    I had a school of white pointer sharks in my living room one night. Turned out they were goldfish.
     
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