Handling a pest infestation as a landlord can be challenging. No matter what the reason, prompt action is required of landlords. Landlords need to schedule an appointment for proper documentation in the event the tenant does cause the situation to go into litigation due to a dispute of rent due to the pests. Here are some of the common pest issues that arise:
- Bed bugs
- Spiders
- Rodents
- Cockroaches
- Silverfish
Who is Responsible for Pest Control?
The responsibility of a landlord is to provide a suitable, safe place for tenants. Therefore, landlords are normally responsible to prevent pest problems by controlling them. Working with a property management company will limit stress as there are specific agreements in place landlords and tenants sign.
Clear Lease or Rental Agreements
As a landlord, one of the top priorities is to have a good agreement in place with the tenants to avoid serious problems including litigation. A rental agreement must state what the landlord will do in the event of a pest infestation. The agreement must also state when a tenant needs to pay based on their lifestyle habits that caused pest issues.
Landlord Requirements with Pest Control
Landlords do have certain requirements they need to meet in order to ensure they are upholding their agreement with tenants:
- Pest inspection prior to a tenant moving in.
- All cracks must be sealed.
- Contract including information about property maintenance and pest control.
Withholding Rent Due to Pests
What happens when you have a tenant who refuses to pay rent because of the pests? This area can become tricky, so we do recommend reviewing your lease or rental agreement to see what was decided. If the tenant gave notice of the infestation, the landlord is liable to take care of pests.
Who Pays for Pest Control?
Pest issues are difficult to treat as it involves more than just destroying the pests, but the clean-up and sanitation. It’s common to become frustrated when the payment is due for pest control, especially if it is expensive. In the majority of cases, it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay for pest control. A rental inspection can be performed as long as the tenant is aware the rental property will be inspected to determine the cause of the pests.
For additional information related to pest control concerns for landlords and tenants, contact Keyrenter Property Management in Provo.