Termite inspection info question.

[TNDemo]

We sold a house last year that we had lived in for 17 years. Today I am going through some old files and purging. We had a termite contract when we lived there and I kept all the inspection reports, bills, etc. It was always termite free and there was a termite inspection letter given to the new owner at closing. Is there any need for me to give all this stuff to the new owner or should I just chuck it?

[pitohui]

1. make copies

if you're going to give it to the new owner, make copies & keep the originals for yrself

just in case

warranty issues for re-sale of homes has changed drastically in recent yrs

you will want to keep evidence you maintained the house prob. for several yrs post sale

[Gormy Cuss]

2. General rule of thumb is don't give them anything extra.

They bought the house, they have the inspection letter for current conditions and nothing about the past lack of termites would mean much now. If they have a termite problem in the next few years your paperwork might be relevant to them, but then again it might not. You can offer it to the new owners as a nice gesture, or chuck it.

On edit: check the state laws on liability after sale for previous problems. In some states there is hardly any clawback, in others it can extend far back for certain structural problems.