As a landlord, you have many responsibilities for protecting the property and keeping your residents happy. However, while pest control is one of them, not all of these duties fall on your shoulders. Learn more about when it's your responsibility to schedule pest control and how to go about it to help you avoid future problems.

The Legal Obligations of Pest Control

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to provide residents with habitable conditions. If there's an infestation, you're failing at those duties. However, if the tenant doesn't take reasonable steps to prevent an outbreak, such as cleaning regularly and properly disposing of trash, the pest or rodent removal will often be up to them.

On the other hand, if it's a longer-term problem, such as failing to do necessary termite control, it's your job to remove these pests. Failing to do so can result in health code violations and monetary repercussions. A tenant can even file a complaint with the local health agency if you fail to provide a safe, pest-free living space, resulting in expensive fines. You could also breach your lease agreement with the tenant, meaning you'll have to sacrifice the monthly rent payments until the problem is addressed.

How to Handle Pest Control Issues

When there's a complaint about pests, communication is essential. Once the complaint is issued, understand that it's mutually beneficial to address it, as pests that aren't dealt with can result in expensive property damage.

In a building with multiple tenants, talk to everyone and see if others are experiencing the issue, as this will help narrow down the problem areas. Once you know what type of pest has infiltrated your building and where it's located, you can better direct the pest control experts, which helps them figure out the best treatment solution. After the job is completed, follow up with the residents to ensure they're satisfied.

 

If you’re facing pest control issues, contact the experts at Acme Pest Control Co in Concord, NC. For the past seven decades, their team of highly trained exterminators have helped local landlords keep their properties free of problematic pests. They can perform an inspection to find the source of the infestation and provide fast and reliable removal services to keep you and your residents happy and safe. Schedule an appointment by calling (704) 786-4166, or learn more about their services online.