Should your buyers get a pest check? Here’s how to guide them

You can spot a fresh lick of paint, shiny tapware and a neat garden from the front gate.

What you can’t always spot?

Fleas in the carpet, termites in the skirting or a possum living rent-free in the roof.

That’s where the building and pest check conversation comes in.

And as an agent, you’re often the one who needs to help buyers decide if it’s worth the time and cost.

Not every situation calls for one, but when it does, your advice can save buyers money, stress and a nasty surprise.

When a pest check is a smart move

There are some scenarios where it’s worth giving buyers a gentle nudge towards getting a check done.

You’re not scaring them off… you’re just helping them avoid an unpleasant “surprise tenant” situation later.

They’re moving straight in

If the buyers are unpacking boxes on day one, the last thing they want is to find fleas in the carpet or droppings in the pantry. Even a clean looking property can hide a pest problem if it’s been vacant for a while.

Flea pupa, for example, can sit dormant for months before hatching when they sense vibrations.

It’s an investment property

If your buyer’s picking this up asa rental, pest problems aren’t just gross – they can be costly. No tenant wants to move in and find they’re sharing the place with fleas or cockroaches, and landlords can end up footing the bill to fix it.

In NSW, for example, landlords have to make sure a rental is “reasonably clean and fit for habitation” at the start of a tenancy – pests included (read it here). A simple pest check before settlement can save your buyer an awkward first call from their new tenants…and a chunk of unexpected expense.

Older or heritage homes

Character homes can charm buyers at first sight. They can also hide termites in the floorboards, ants in the skirting or rodents in the roof cavity.

Vacant for a long stretch

If the property’s been sitting empty, even with the windows shut, it’s worth checking. Possums, mice and cockroaches don’t need an open door to make themselves comfortable.

When it’s reasonable to skip

There are also perfectly valid situations where a pest check might not be needed, and your buyers will appreciate you pointing that out, too.

Immediate knock-down or full renovation

If the buyers are tearing down the existing structure or stripping it back to bare bones, they may prefer to deal with pests as part of the building process.

Recent, credible report from the vendor

If the seller has already had a building and pest inspection done, make sure it’s from a reputable company and less than three months old.

In that case, buyers might feel comfortable relying on it rather than paying for another one.

Competitive sales environments

In a hot market, some buyers choose to skip optional checks to speed up contracts.

It’s not without risk, but when competition is fierce, it can be the difference between securing the property and missing out.

Who should organise and pay?

This is where the conversation can get a bit political.

There are three main approaches:

• ‍Buyer-led: The buyer books and pays for their own inspector, which gives them control and confidence in the result.‍
• Vendor-led: The seller provides a report upfront. This can be a selling point, showing transparency and removing a hurdle for cautious buyers.‍
• Negotiated: Both parties agree to include a pest check as a condition of the offer. It’s a middle-ground solution that works well in balance markets.

Why it matters for sales agents

You might think pest checks are a “buyer problem,” but how you handle the conversation can impact your reputation, and the deal.

• ‍It builds trust: Buyers remember when you helped them dodge a problem.‍
• It protects your name: No one wants to be known as the agent who sold a “flea palace.”‍
• It can speed things up: Clear advice means fewer delays during cooling off or financial clauses.

Even if the check comes back clean, you’ve shown you care about more than just closing the sale.

Pro tip for Reapit Sales users

Here’s a small tweak that can make a big difference: instead of just logging notes or attaching pest reports, why not add the pest check as a contract condition?

Think of it like a “deal-saver clause” that ensures everything’s clear before settlement.

In Reapit Sales, you can easily create custom conditions like “Building & Pest”. Once set up, agents can tick it off when the inspection’s completed, protecting both buyer and agent from surprises.

Why it works well:

• ‍Keep the deal clean: The contract won’t become unconditional until the check is sorted.‍
• Saves your skin: If a pest issue pops up later, you’ve got documentation showing you followed the process.‍
• Speeds things up: It’s an easy condition to manage, track and report on right from the contract screen.

Not every buyer needs a pest check, but the right advice at the right time can save them money, protect your reputation and keep a sale moving smoothly.

Whether it’s a quick “yes, you should” or a confident “no, you’re fine without it,” your guidance is part of the value you bring to every transaction.

A property can look perfect on the surface, but pests don’t care about staging or fresh paint.

Helping buyers see past the cosmetics, and decide whether a check is worth is, is just another way to show you’re on their side.

If you’re already using Reapit Sales, setting up pest checks as a contract condition is quick to do – here’s how.

If you’re not, and you’d like a CRM that helps you keep every step of the sale documented, book a quick chat here (or simply enter your details below).