Whether it’s cockroaches, ants or rats; if you’re renting a house and pests suddenly move in, what can you do? The problem may simply be seasonal or influenced by the environment, and not due to uncleanliness. But the issue of who is responsible for pest control can sometimes be a grey area.
As a renter, it’s a good idea to seek professional pest control advice to determine the cause before taking action. It may be something the owner has done to attract the pests.
Need a pest control solution for you property? Cure All will help you make pest problems a thing of the past – find your pest problem here and get in touch now.
Determining the cause
For renters, it is very important when first looking at a property to keep an eye out for signs of pests such as droppings in cupboards and on floors. Check with the owner if the previous tenants owned cats or dogs. Fleas may be breeding and not appear for a couple of months.
When to take action
It’s a good idea to check if the property was treated before your tenancy if you do see evidence of pests. This can be written into your tenancy agreement under the special conditions section of the agreement.
If the pests arrive just after you move in, it is difficult for the owner to argue that it is your activities or lack of hygiene that has led to the infestation. Checking what has caused the pest invasion and if it’s unrelated to your activities, e.g., a next door neighbour’s rubbish, is a good idea.
If you contact the owner or rental agent immediately in writing requesting then they shouldn’t take the matter further. The owner has a obligation to ensure that the house is in good condition to live in and an infestation of pests breaches the general tenancy agreement.
The nature of tenancy agreements
However, read the fine print carefully because your tenancy agreement may in fact include a clause that vermin and pests are your responsibility. For instance, it might say if you have been living at the property for several months and an infestation occurs, it is the tenant who must pay for the fumigation.
At Cure All we offer a range of pest eradication solutions for renters if the responsibility falls into your hands. Ants, fleas, cockroaches, rats, possums – we’ve dealt with the lot! So give us a call if you want a property inspection before you move in or need help determining the cause of a pest problem.
