Who is Responsible for Pest Control in a Rental Property?

If the place you are living in has a pest infestation, you may be wondering if it is your responsibility to hire a contractor to take care of the problem. The problem is, pests are a great nuisance, they can destroy your property, can cause problems to your health and will most likely cost a lot of money to eliminate. 

Therefore, many people are curious to know who has the responsibility to hire a pest control contractor. At times, this can cause a strain on the relationship between landlords and tenants as no one wants to take the on these costs. 

Therefore, it is important to determine who will carry the responsibility when entering the rental contract. 

A landlord may insist that the tenants could have brought the pests onto the property when they moved in, or that the habits of the tenants are the reason for the infestation. However, a tenant can claim that there was already a thriving infestation in their home prior to them moving in and it is the landlord's fault for not maintaining a pest-free environment.

Because both parties have valid arguments, it is always important to have these conversations regarding the management of a pest infestation before the tenant moves in. The best time to decide on who is responsible for this is before the lease starts to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

The Responsibilities of The Landlord.

When it comes to pest control, this is usually one of the items included under the implied warranty of habitability. This sets out that landlords must guarantee a property that has livable conditions, and since a home can become unlivable due to a pest infestation, pest control falls under the responsibility of the landlord.

However, this is usually for general pest control. This means that the landlord is responsible for the application of pesticides in or around the home for the control of pests.

Seasonal pest control is also included. This means that the while landlord has to ensure that the home is free of pests before the tenant moves in, it also means that they must also maintain the home in that state.

Should any pest infestation occur due to natural circumstances and if the property in question is located in an environment where the home is susceptible to a pest invasion, then the landlord must ensure that the pests are eliminated. In addition, should the tenant report the presence of pests in their home, the landlord must react swiftly. 

The landlord is responsible for the following tasks regarding pest management:

• They must conduct a thorough inspection of the property and deal with any possible pest control issue prior to the arrival of the new tenant onto their property.
  

• They must also deal with issues that may leave the home susceptible to a pest invasion. This may include cracks in the walls, openings indoors and/or windows, torn screens, or broken seals.
  

• They have to compensate the contractors for all pest control services.
  

• The landlord will have to arrange for seasonal pest control and they will also have to deal with the emergencies as soon as they are reported. Even if the tenant is responsible for the infestation, the landlord will have to pay for the treatment initially before they are compensated by the tenant.
  

The Responsibilities of the Tenant

In the event that there is a pest invasion on the premises, the landlord maintains the responsibility to remove the pests. However, should the infestation be caused by the behaviour of the tenant, then they will become liable for the costs.

The following behaviours are the main causes for a pest infestation caused by the tenant.

• They are unable to maintain suitable sanitary conditions on the premises. This could be leaving food unsecured in the kitchen or pantry, not covering garbage bins, or not disposing of their garbage in the correct way set out by the waste collection guidelines of the community.
  

• They bring an infestation because of their pet.
  

• The property is subjected to excess moisture within the living space, therefore, making their home suitable for pests to create a habitat. This can also include leaving water stagnant on the premises.
  

Moreover, the tenant must ensure that they are keeping the property free from damage as any damage may create an opening that will allow for pests to enter their home. The tenant must also make sure to report all the damages caused to the property that will lead to a pest infestation.

Tenants must also report the presence of pests to the property owner promptly. If not, the tenant becomes partly liable for the problem.

Who Is Responsible For a Bed-Bug Infestation?

Bed bugs can be such a  great issue in the home that is important that we highlight who would be responsible for securing the pest control services in a rental property. 

The cost will be held by the landlord if there is a history of bed bugs on the premises. However, the tenant will be liable for the cost if the premises had no bed bugs upon the arrival and they were the ones to bring the bed bugs in.

The Best Pest Control Provider in Arizona

In the event of an infestation, the landlord must react swiftly should a tenant report a pest invasion. If they do not, they may face legal problems depending on the contract.

In the end, the landlord and tenant must discuss all of this prior to signing any lease agreements to avoid unnecessary issues. It may also help if the two parties agree on the best pest control company they can hire to help them take control of the situation.

That is why at Agro Pest Control we can provide you with affordable pest control services in the Arizona area. We offer many comprehensive and affordable pest control services, so we will help you no matter the situation.

All you need to do is contact us on 480-780-2476 to get started.