their impact on value.
Items such as peeling paint, health and safety, and those leading to structural unsoundness (earth to wood contact, dry rot, excessive moisture, etc.), are general criteria items and should not be waived.
The inspector will check the appropriate box in Section II of Form NPMA-33 to indicate if any visible damage from insects was noted. However, the termite inspector is not expected to distinguish between structural and cosmetic damage.
Escrow holdback for repair of termite damage is not permitted.
When the termite certification indicates the presence of termite related infestation, the following requirements for corrective action apply:
o Previous infestations, currently inactive termites - no previous damage
Neither structural inspection nor certification is required.
o Previous infestations, currently inactive termites - damage noted Obtain a statement from one of these qualified sources that the repairs have been completed.
Qualified Independent Contractor
HUD Fee Panel Inspector
Engineer with expertise in structurally related matters
Qualified Home Building Inspector
o Active infestation - no damage noted
Treatment must be performed. No structural inspection required.
o Active infestation - damage noted
Treatment must be performed and all repairs must be completed. An inspection must be made by one of the following sources:
HUD Fee Panel Inspector
Engineer with expertise in structurally related matters
Certifications (continued)
TermiteInspection (continued)
Termite Control in New Construction Properties
For new construction treatments, Subterranean Soil Treatment Guarantee - HUD Form NPCA 99-A is required, and Subterranean Soil Treatment Record-Form HUD-NPMA 99-B -must be used, if applicable. If a state has more stringent record keeping requirements than HUD-Form NPCA-99-B, the state form can be accepted in lieu of the NPCA-99-B, in which case the state form would be attached to HUD-Form NPCA-99-A.
The acceptable methods of treatment for protection against subterranean termite attacks are:
Chemical soil treatment
Pressure preservative treated wood
Naturally termite resistant wood (i.e. redwood, cedar) Physical barriers (such as metal or plastic termite shields)
The National CABO Dwelling Code permits the use of pressure preservative treated wood as a measure of termite protection. The seven areas requiring pressure treated wood by the CABO Dwelling Code are:
Wood joists or the bottom of a wood structure floor when closer than 18 inches (457 mm) or wood girders when closer than 12 inches (305 mm) to exposed ground in crawl spaces or unexcavated areas located within the periphery of the building foundation
All sills or plates that rest on concrete or masonry exterior walls and are less than 8 inches (203 mm) from exposed ground
Sills and sleepers on a concrete or masonry slab that is in direct contact with the ground unless separated from such slab by an impervious moisture barrier The ends of wood girders entering exterior masonry or concrete wall having clearance of less than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) on tops, sides and ends
Wood siding, sheathing and wall framing on the exterior of a building having a clearance of less than 6 inches from the ground
Wood structural members supporting moisture-permeable floors or roofs that are exposed to the weather, such as concrete or masonry slabs, unless separated from such floors or roofs by an impervious moisture barrier Wood furring strips or other wood framing members attached directly to the interior of exterior masonry walls or concrete walls below grade except where an approved vapor retardant is applied between the wall and the furring strips or framing members
Pressure treated wood must be used in all framing members up to and including the top plate of the first floor level wall. This includes the sub-floor and floor joists of the first floor. The use of pressure treated wood in only the sill plate is not acceptable and must not be used as a physical barrier unless it can be inspected for any termite shelter tubes around the inside and outside edges and joints of a barrier. Field cut ends, notches, and drilled holes of pressure treated wood must be re-treated in the field.
Certifications (continued)
TermiteInspection (continued)
If the builder used pressure treated wood, Form HUD-NPMA-99-A is not necessarily required. In lieu of Form HUD-NPMA-99-A, the builder must provide a letter, on letterhead, stating that the house is protected from termites by the use of pressure treated wood. The builder must provide the buyer with a one-year warranty against termites similar to that required on Form HUD- NPMA-99-A. If the builder chooses to use Form HUD-NPMA-99-A he or she needs to check the box next to wood under the section titled Type of Treatment and insert the following statement:
Complies with Mortgagee Letter 2001-04 for use of preservatively treated wood.
If the building does not require termite protection because there is no wood in the locations identified in the Mortgagee Letter (such as when using all steel, masonry or concrete building components), under Type of Treatment and in the space to the right of the block titled, Soil the builder must add the
following:
Masonry (steel or concrete) construction - no treatment needed. Complies with Mortgagee Letter 2001-04.
The use of post-construction soil treatment where the chemicals are applied only around the perimeter of the foundation is not acceptable in new
construction properties.
Home Ownership Center Requirements
Each FHA Home Ownership Center determines the areas within its jurisdiction where termite inspection is required. Unless otherwise specified, a clear Termite/Wood Destroying Insect inspection report is required for all ground level existing construction structures in these areas.
Atlanta Home Ownership Center
Within the Atlanta HOC jurisdiction, a termite/wood destroying pest inspection is required for all ground level existing construction structures. The following states have mandated pest control forms which should be used in lieu of NPMA-33:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina Denver Home Ownership Center
The following areas are determined to require termite inspections or treatments:
Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming in the following areas: Basin, Byron, Casper, Cody, Cowley, Douglas, Evansville, Glenrock, Greybull, Lovell, Lusk, Meeteetse, Mills, Powell, Rawlins, Riverton, Shoshoni, Thermopolis,
Certifications (continued)
TermiteInspection (continued)
Philadelphia Home Ownership Center
Termite reports are required on all cases involving existing properties in all areas except in these areas:
o New York Required in all counties except Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Niagara and Orleans
o Vermont Required in Rutland, Windsor, Bennington and Windham. Reports are not required in Franklin, Grand Isle, Orleans, Essex, Chittenden, Lamoille, Caledonia, Washington, Addison and Orange.
o New Hampshire Required in Sullivan, Merrimack, Belknap, Stratford, Cheshire, Hillsborough and Rockingham. Reports are not required in Grafton, Carroll and Coos.
o Maine Required in York and Cumberland. Reports are not required in the other counties.
o Michigan - Required in all counties except Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Antrium, Arenac, Baraga, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmett, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Huron, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw,
Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Island, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Tuscola and Wexford.
Santa Ana Home Ownership Center
The Santa Ana HOC has divided its jurisdiction in Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zones
o TIP Zone #1 (California and Hawaii) indicates the probability of termite infestation is moderate to severe
o TIP Zone #2 (Arizona and Nevada) indicates the probability of termite infestation is slight to moderate
o TIP Zone #3 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) indicates the probability of termite infestation is none to slight
Existing Properties (over 1 year old) Single Family A clear pest inspection is required for all homes:
TIP Zone 1 over 1* year of age TIP Zone 2 over 2* years of age
TIP Zone 3 will be required at the discretion of the appraiser and underwriter. (See Appraiser's Inspection section noted below.)
Certifications (continued)
TermiteInspection (continued)
New Construction
(proposed construction, under construction and existing less than 1 year old) TIP Zones 1 and 2 require termite soil treatment
TIP Zone 3 requires soil treatment at the discretion of the appraiser and underwriter. If there is a possibility of termites at or near the general area of the site then treatment is required
Form HUD-NPMA-99-A - Subterranean Termite Soil Treatment Builder's Guarantee must be used.
HUD-Form NPCA-99-B - New Construction Subterranean Termite Soil Treatment Record is used with Form HUD-NPMA-99-A only if the property is treated with a soil termiticide.
The licensed pest control company is responsible for completing HUD form NPCA-99- B as appropriate, and providing it to the builder.
The builder is responsible for attaching the forms together and distributing the completed forms to the Client.
Provide one copy to the buyer at closing and include a copy in the loan file for the HUD endorsement binder.