If you’re a tenant or a landlord, you’ll be all too familiar with the tug of wars that arise over issues with the property at hand. Many people enter into a lease agreement unaware of who’s responsible for what, only to end up at a stalemate. While we can’t guarantee that your relationship will be a peaceful one, we can offer you some guidance that’ll come in useful the next time you have to seek pest control in a rental property.

Know your rights. Without being aware of the facts, it’s impossible to successfully (and congenially) address pest control in a rental property.

Most residential lease agreements don’t mention anything about pest control. As far as commercial property is concerned, pest control is the sole responsibility of the landlord, unless stated otherwise. Unless explicitly stated in the rental agreement of a residential property, the onus falls on both the tenant and landlord to deal with any pest control issues that may arise. That said, the responsibility of securing treatment depends on the nature of the pests.

Infestations that occur due to an unhygienic environment are the responsibility of the tenant.

Ants, cockroaches or rat infestations that occur after the tenant has moved in must be dealt with by the occupants. Open bins and a laisse faire approach to cleanliness are beacons for pests, which means that it is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that they maintain a clean and hygienic environment in order to avoid any unwelcome guests. If there’s an existing infestation upon occupancy, the landlord will need to be notified immediately in order to deal with the problem, as well as avoid any tiresome ‘he said, she said’. Taking photos that indicate the date is advisable when attempting to tackle any existing pest control problems in a newly occupied residence.
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Pests that can potentially cause damage to the property become the landlord’s responsibility.

Termites and other wood boring beetles are often historical problems – of which neither party may be aware of when the property is leased. If a tenant discovers any wood rot or signs of destructive pests, they need to notify the landlord immediately. Once the landlord is notified, the task of ridding the property of any infestations falls on them. Failure to alert the landlord about wood borers or the like can result in legal action being taken against the tenant.

Pest control in a rental property is best left to the professionals.

DIY methods may get rid of rampant rodents or annoying ants for the short term, but sooner than later, you’ll be faced with the pests again. It’s far more effective (and affordable) to contact a pest control specialist who’ll inspect the property and advise on the best course of treatment for long-term pest control. Contact us today and we’ll assist you with all of your pest control in a rental property. New Call-to-action Photo credit - Property24