Who pays for the termite inspection on a VA loan in New York?
Since June 2022, VA borrowers are allowed to pay for a required termite inspection, and sellers often agree to cover it in negotiation. It's not fixed by New York rule.
Do I need a termite inspection to sell a house on Long Island?
Reviewed by William "Willy" Vizcarrondo, NYS DEC Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator C1825832. Updated September 23, 2026.
Short answer
Not by state law, but in practice, usually yes. If the buyer is using a VA loan, a wood-destroying insect inspection is required in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and the Bronx. With any other loan, the buyer's home inspector will look for termite evidence, and finding it during the deal costs sellers far more than finding it first.
When it's required
The Department of Veterans Affairs requires a termite inspection for VA loans in specific New York counties, and the list includes Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Kings, Bronx, New York, Richmond, and Westchester (Veterans United). Conventional and FHA loans don't carry a blanket requirement, but the lender's appraiser and the buyer's inspector both flag visible termite damage or mud tubes, and a flagged report turns into a demand for treatment, repairs, or a credit.
Why sellers get one first
Termite problems typically show up 10 years or more after construction (Penn State), which covers nearly every house in Nassau and Suffolk. A pre-listing inspection finds tubes, damaged sills, and old treatment evidence before the buyer's inspector does, so the seller controls the fix and the timing instead of negotiating under a contract deadline. A clean report is also something to hand a nervous buyer.
What the inspection covers
A wood-destroying insect inspection checks the foundation, sill plates, basement and crawl space framing, porches, and any wood in contact with soil for subterranean termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and powderpost beetles. It reports live activity, damage, and past treatment. It's a visual inspection of accessible areas, so finished basements and blocked crawl spaces limit it.
On Long Island
Eastern subterranean termites are active across both counties, and the housing stock is mostly 60 to 70 years old with original wood sills. Spring closings are the worst time to discover a problem, because that's swarm season and the swarmers show up during the walkthrough. A Bobby Bugs termite inspection is a flat fee, quoted in writing, and you get a written report to keep or hand over.
Related
Related questions
What happens if the inspection finds termites during a sale?
The buyer typically asks for treatment with a written guarantee, repair of damaged wood, or a price credit. Treating before listing avoids the negotiation entirely.
How long is a termite inspection report good for?
Lenders generally want it dated within 30 to 90 days of closing. Check with the lender for their window.
Sources
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