Who should pay? - Pest control

Brallaqueen

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/pests_and_vermin

Shelter confirms that if they were present on move in, the LL is responsible. If they happened during the tenancy the waters are much more muddy.

dodger1

lalaland11 wrote: »

Hi thankyou for the reply, it doesnt say anything in my agreement about pest control etc just says that its my responsabilty to keep the property in good condition.

It has been seen in the garden, im a little worried as it ran under the shed and there is an electric supply coming from the bedroom into the shed so dont really want it chewing through any cables. as of yet i havent had any signs of it being in the house but i have found a huge hole in my sons bedroom cupboard but this does not look like it would be from a rat as its a perfect circle.

The charge i have been quoted isnt high its under £50 and they have said that will include finding out where the rats are living, getting rid of the rats and return visits to make sure that the rats have not returned - this to me seems pretty cheap.



while im here i am wondering if anyone knows if rats would kill birds? ive just been out and found 2 dead birds in my garden they look like they have been attacked by a small animal - only asking as if this is the case im planning on taking immediate action to prevent anymore birds being killed.

Frankly that quote seems rediculously low. For all that they are offering I'd expect the quote to be a minimum of £200, sounds like a cowboy firm.

g_attrill

taxsaver wrote: »

I think you will find very few councils giving free pest control these days. My area have contracted it out to a private company who you must pay, but will meet 50% of the costs for those on 100% HB, JSA etc.

Ah ok, I thought it was a legal requirement that rats were dealt for free for health reasons. My local one is free (Rushmoor) and where my parents live (Winchester City Council) but direct.gov.uk says the local councils "may" charge for the service(s).

anotherginger

g_attrill wrote: »

Ah ok, I thought it was a legal requirement that rats were dealt for free for health reasons.

It IS a legal requirement for the owner/occupier of the property to deal with rodents, but not the council.

The council enforces the legal requirement under their statutory obligations, meaning that they can serve a notice on anyone who doesn't keep their land free from pests.

poppysarah

dodger1 wrote: »

Frankly that quote seems rediculously low. For all that they are offering I'd expect the quote to be a minimum of £200, sounds like a cowboy firm.

http://www.oldham.gov.uk/environment/animal_welfare/pest_control.htm

• Ants: contact Pest Control for a quote
• Bed bugs: £25 + VAT (includes1 re-visit)
• Beetles: £42 + VAT
• Cockroaches: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Fleas: £42 + VAT
• Mice: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Mites: £42 + VAT
• Moles: £42 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Rats: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Silverfish: £42 + VAT
• Some other insects - contact Pest Control for a quote
• Squirrels: £83 + VAT (includes 1 re-visit). Any subsequent visits £17+VAT
• Wasps: £40 + VAT

Rats used to be free mind you.

dodger1

poppysarah wrote: »

http://www.oldham.gov.uk/environment/animal_welfare/pest_control.htm

• Ants: contact Pest Control for a quote
• Bed bugs: £25 + VAT (includes1 re-visit)
• Beetles: £42 + VAT
• Cockroaches: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Fleas: £42 + VAT
• Mice: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Mites: £42 + VAT
• Moles: £42 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Rats: £25 + VAT (includes 2 re-visits)
• Silverfish: £42 + VAT
• Some other insects - contact Pest Control for a quote
• Squirrels: £83 + VAT (includes 1 re-visit). Any subsequent visits £17+VAT
• Wasps: £40 + VAT

Rats used to be free mind you.

My bad, didn't notice it was Council prices just assumed (I know!!!) that it was a private contractor quote. That's very cheap.

rachie_2011

I haven't read all of the posts, so sorry if it's already been agreed who should or shouldn't pay for pest control, but I would of thought it was the tenants responsibilty to rid any pests within the property. Although, if I was the LL, I would help towards costs - but then again, i'd be a nice landlady!!

I used to work for a housing assication, and all pests were down to the tenants to get rid of, unless it was in a block of flats etc, and in a public place.

Is there nothing in the T&C of your contract?

ladymarmalade1970

My sister works for a housing association and re homes homeless people and she said to me earlier today that it was down to the tenant BUT as i said before any decent LL should sort it IF the tenants themselves are decent.

JanCee

lalaland11 wrote: »

thanks fo that i think the may have been here before as there were a few rat traps here when we moved in and ive spoted some wire meshing around a hole in the shed and a few weeks ago my son found another rat trap hidden undershed which makes me think they had problems before. Although how i would prove it is another thing i suppose.

Then contact the LL and see if you can get him to pay.

You mentioned dead birds and I wondered if you had bird feeders out, or were putting out food for birds on the ground, as this will encourage vermin.

z1a

MX5huggy wrote: »

Unfortunately you have jumped the gun a bit by booking pest control yourself. The LL would be very kind to pay for this without first being consulted. If you had called me as a LL I would have come round and attempted to sort them myself at little cost to either of us. I can be quite viscous with a spade when required.

Are you saying you're thick when you have a spade?