It depends on your contract. The standard contract used in Western Australia makes no provision for termite or timber pest inspections, so a property is bought at the buyer’s risk unless something has been added.

Many contracts include a special condition or an annexure giving the buyer the right to obtain a timber pest inspection report. If your contract has one, the seller may be required to treat the termites and repair the damage. If they don’t, you may be entitled to compensation or to end the contract.

Some of those clauses only bite if the termites are in the main residence rather than in a shed or in trees, so the wording matters. Read your own contract.

Strict time limits can apply, so seek advice as soon as you find a problem. See also Property checks to make before you sign a contract in WA.