Pest control - what is the landlord's responsibility?

meg0210

I have recently rented out my property.
Seven months prior to the tenant's moving in, I had carried out a pest survey which showed that there was no fresh evidence that there were rodents in the property. However, one month after the tenant moved in , they said they heard the rats in the loft and in the wall. The real estate agent asked me to carry out another pest survey. I would like to know to what extent the landlord is responsible for the pest control? Do I need to make sure that there is no pest whatsoever during the entire duration of the renting period, i.e. to pay for the pest surveys and the treatments, whenever the tenants ask for it? By the way, I would like to have an idea how much would a treatment cost? Thanks in advance for your advice.

tbs624

It sounds as though you were fully aware of a pre-existing vermin issue. Who was in the property between your "check" completed 7 months prior to the current Ts moving in and the start of their tenancy? Has the house stood empty in the interim period? Did you use a pest control firm to check again, immediately before they moved in?

Your Ts obviously need to ensure that they store food appropriately and report evidence of infestation promptly but it sounds as though you didn't deal with the issue properly prior to the start of the tenancy

You'll be aware of the damage that rats/mice etc can cause to electrical cables etc, quite apart from the health hazards to your tenants.

Contact your local Council - they usually offer a (chargeable) pest control service. You can also try the Yellow Pages etc.

You can set the costs down on your tax return

theartfullodger

You say "real estate agent" - a very USofA expression - is this about an English Tenancy??

Rats I'd say is Landlord problem: Certainly any sensible LL would want Rats sorted...


See here for some advice...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/pests_and_vermin

I was quoted £120 for a "that's the price however much it takes" for mice 'n rats a couple of months ago (Highlands of Scotland.., semi-3-bed..)

Cheers!

ognum

So back in August your surveyor when you were buying the property noted there was evidence of vermin and suggested an inspection.

I think as there was evidence then it is your responsibility to your tenants to have another survey and eradicate anything that is there.

If I was your tenant I would be seriously peeved if I was renting a house that has evidence of infestation that had not been fully treated.

whalster

Last month I paid £120 in York . As has been said above if it is a pre exciting problem then it is landlords responsibility but on a practical level and for the bit of money it costs then it makes sense to keep the tenant happy and keep them in rather than moving on .

The chap had been to this house before for me maybe three times over eight years but there is a large old folks home at the rear maybe thirty yards away and he says he is there all the time .
I also have some flats near restaurants that are a pain in the a@@@.

Yorkie1

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