It’s a landlord’s responsibility to provide a safe and livable home for their tenant, but it’s a tenant’s responsibility to keep their dwelling clean. The question is, is pest control the tenant’s or landlord’s responsibility?
Pest infestations can cause health hazards and damage to property, so it’s important to know who is responsible for addressing the problem. Let’s explore the responsibilities of landlords and tenants when it comes to pest control in rentals so that you can get to the root of the issue.
Lease Agreement Terms
The first thing to consider is your lease agreement’s terms. More often than not, lease agreements outline the landlord and tenant’s responsibilities regarding pest control.
It’s not uncommon for landlords to require tenants to maintain a clean and sanitary living environment, which includes taking measures to prevent pest infestations. With that in mind, it’s usually your responsibility as a proprietor to address any pest infestations caused by structural damage or underlying issues.
Landlord Responsibilities
When renting a property, owners have a duty to provide safe and habitable homes for their tenants. They must keep the property free from pests, such as insects, rodents, and other creatures that could pose a threat to health and safety.
Most states have laws governing habitability in rental properties, which require property owners to address pest infestations. If pests appear in the rental property, especially before a tenant moves in, it is the landlord’s responsibility to address the problem.
Tenant Responsibilities
While the responsibility of pest control usually falls on the landlord’s shoulders, there are instances where pest control is up to the tenant. In general, tenants are responsible for certain maintenance issues, such as keeping the home clean and repairing damages caused by themselves or guests.
If they fail to maintain a clean living space, pest control can fall under the tenant’s responsibility. They must also report any pest issues to their landlord so that owners can take the appropriate action in time. Failure to report pest issues or cooperate with the landlord can result in liability for the tenant.
Who Pays for Pest Control Services?
When it comes to the cost of pest control in rental properties, whether the responsibility falls on the tenant or landlord depends on the type of infestation and the circumstances surrounding it. If pests are present when a tenant moves in, the landlord is responsible for addressing the issue. If a tenant caused the infestation, they may be responsible for the cost of pest control services. It’s worth mentioning that if tenants bring in pests from outside, the landlord might not be responsible for pest control.
For instance, if a tenant brings in bed bugs from a hotel, the landlord might not have to cover the cost of pest control. In cases like this, it might be difficult to determine who’s responsible for pest control. However, some states require landlords to provide tenants with a pest control plan and information on how to prevent pest infestation.
Property owners and landlords can share pest control responsibility, depending on various factors. However, based on general guidelines, landlords are typically responsible for pest control.
Still, this fact does not absolve tenants of their responsibility to keep their rental units clean and safe from pest infestations. It’s important that proprietors and tenants understand their respective roles in pest control and work together to ensure a safe and hygienic living environment.
