On January 1, 2020 a revised NPMA-33 form went into effect for reporting regarding wood destroying insects for real estate closings. There are a number of changes on the form but there is one main change which changes how a treatment recommendation is made in regards to termites. Previously we were to recommend a treatment if old evidence of termites was observed and there was no documentation of a treatment within five years or a current termite service warranty. The revised form takes away the five year treatment documentation and now states that a treatment "may" be recommended if no current service warranty documentation is present. The word "may" is legally a nightmare for our industry. I have talked with several PhD entomologists that are very active in our industry and also with our state association (VPMA) regarding this change. The entomologists I talked with have stated that legally this new revision can create an issue for a pest control company because this recommendation can be interpret differently and is not clear. Most companies I have talked with are going to recommend treatment when this situation comes into play.
There has been quite a bit of controversy with this revision and a couple of the entomologists I have spoked to say they feel the committee will have to revisit this part of the revision and make changes. The problem is this committee has members from all over the country and any future revision may take time.
I worked with the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors and taught a class for the association in February 2020 regarding these changes. If you deal with real estate closings I would highly recommend that you look into these changes so you are aware of these revisions when you are dealing with a seller so they understand what recommendations may be made.
If you have any questions regarding these changes I will be glad to discuss these items and how I interpret them.
Rusty Taylor
Rusty
Important Newsletter from October 2007
We have just returned from Richmond, taking a recertification class for performing Wood Destroying Insect inspections which are generally needed for the sale of a home. In Virginia there is a voluntary class that can be taken which is specifically designed to the inspection that is generally needed for the sale of a home. There is no state law requiring these inspections, it is generally required by a Mortgage Company and is generally listed in a sales contract as required by the seller. Our three inspectors; Katie Davidson, Zack Taylor and Rusty Taylor are certified by the Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) to perform these inspections. After the initial class is taken and passed we must take a recertification class every two years to maintain our current status. Although these classes take time and cost money they are very educational and very worth the time and money in training us what we are to look for and how we are to report such findings. We use the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) form, NPMA-33, to report the findings of the inspection.
If you are Real Estate Agent you should make sure you check to see that the inspectors you are using are certified by the VPMA to perform these inspections. If you are selling your home or buying a home you be sure that a certified inspector is performing the inspection on the home you are selling or buying as they have the extra training needed to perform such inspections.
To check to see if an inspector you are using is certified by the VPMA simply go to the website: www.vpmaonline.com to see a list of inspectors which are currently certified. Our inspectors are certified as follows: Rusty Taylor (072502000353) Katherine Davidson (03060000712) and Zachary Taylor (03060000722)