The longhorn beetle, a small rodent with potentially major consequences

When buying a new home, the last thing you want is a hidden infestation that can cause structural damage, like the notorious longhorn beetle. Awareness and thorough inspections are crucial to avoid costly surprises and ensure your dream home doesn't become a financial nightmare.

When viewing your potential new home, it's probably not the first thing you think of: the longhorn beetle. Yet, this small rodent can cause considerable problems, especially if you only notice its presence after signing the purchase contract.

House longhorn beetle

There are many species of beetles that go by the name of longhorn beetle, but homeowners may only experience problems

of the so-called house longhorn beetle. This species of beetle hatches from an egg and lives as a larva for a very long time (up to 12 years). The longhorn beetle larvae live in wood: by gnawing, they create tunnels that can cause serious damage to the wood.

beetle 10-25 mm
larva 30 mm

Long-term hidden defect

Sometimes this damage is visible through drill holes in the wood or through visible drill dust. In many cases, however, the damage is invisible, making it a hidden defect. This defect can be expensive: the longhorn beetle must be removed, and wooden structures will need to be replaced. Longhorn beetles can damage support beams and roof structures, among other things.

Liability

Whether a home buyer can recover hidden woodworm damage from the seller depends on several factors. A buyer must be able to assume they can use the property normally. If this is not the case, in many cases the seller is liable and must repair the defect. While the presence of woodworm doesn't necessarily impede normal use, it can if there is serious damage to roof structures , floor joists, and supporting beams.

Construction technical inspection

If the buyer was aware of the damage caused by woodworms, the seller is obviously not liable. The sale price will likely have been reduced due to the presence of the defect. Even if the damage was clearly visible to the buyer, the seller's liability is waived. The buyer is expected to thoroughly investigate any defects themselves. Homekeur is happy to assist you with this by conducting a building inspection . This way, you won't encounter any unpleasant surprises after purchasing your new home!

Would you like to make an appointment for a building inspection?

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!

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