Who is Responsible?
Responsibility for pest control is usually outlined in most rental contracts. Some landlords put in clauses where they will take care of the pest control for the first six months and then responsibility is turned over to the tenant currently residing in the single-family rental property. The tenant will then have to make sure that the home undergoes seasonal pest control inspections in order to keep the lease.
A landlord can also put in the contract that the party responsible for the pest infestation will cover the costs for treatment. For example, if a tenant notices a pest infestation the day they move in, the landlord will cover the cost because they did not do their due diligence in inspecting the property before the move in date. However, if the tenant experiences an infestation after the first few months of living in the home, the tenant will be responsible for the cost if the cause of the infestation can be traced to them. Some causes of infestation that can lead to the tenant include leaving food out in the open, not disposing trash properly, or leaving doors and windows open for too long. Clauses like these are popular in contract for single-family homes because renters are usually more autonomous in taking care of a house.
Renters need to read their contracts thoroughly before signing the agreement and landlords may word the contract and assign certain maintenance duties as they see fit.
How to Prevent Pests
Sometimes pest infestations happen. It is just a fact of life. However, tenants and landlords can work together in order to avoid pests from getting inside the home in the first place. Preventing pests is up to both the landlord and the renter.
The landlord can do their part by having the home treated regularly when the home is vacant. They should also treat the home in the period after a tenant moves out and before a new tenant moves in to ensure that no infestation occurs between different tenants. As stated above, the landlord can also write into the rental agreement that the tenant must pay for regular pest control treatments if they want to stay in the house.
The landlord can also have potential tenants read informational brochures on how to prevent pest infestation and how to properly maintain a rental home. The more education the landlord invests in the tenant, the more helpful it will be in the quest to prevent pests!
How Often Rental Homes Should be Treated
Tenants should treat rental homes as if it were their own home. In other words, they should have the rental home treated every season and any time they see signs of pests.
Landlords should treat rental homes after a tenant moves out, before a tenant moves in, and once a month for every month the home is vacant. Vacant homes attract pests more than occupied homes since there are no people around to scare them off. Rodents especially are attracted to vacant homes because they have the freedom to live and roam wherever they want in the home.
Pests are a problem no matter the home situation. Thankfully, there are solutions so landlords and tenants can make sure that the home remains pest and headache free. One of those solutions is calling Preventive Pest. Call today to set up an appointment.