Pest control in my rental protental with less than 24h notice

Chloe14

Hi all,

I received this morning a notice from my landlord informing of a team of pest controllers attending the property tomorrow.

However, as I will not be available I would like to know my right in order to postpone the pest control (email to landlord for this purpose) or to do it myself at my own cost during the week.

Thanks.

Chloe

moromir

If I were a landlord, I would make a compelling arguement that pest control is a matter of urgency and the work must be carried out by professionals since the most effective treatments are controlled and only avaialble to professionals.

AnnieO1234

If it's a flat and all flats are owned by the same landlord they're not going to be able to allow individuals to do it, nor are they going to be able to stagger it as the problem will remain and re-spread.

As pests can generally affect health I would suggest that the landlord has every right to immediate entry without your permission and without your observation in order to fulfil his obligations in this regard.

Why wouldn't you want the pest issue sorting? It sounds as though there is something you are attempting to hide, a sublet maybe or whatever but that's certainly what I would imagine if a tenant tried to prevent or delay me from such work.

Xx

Chloe14

It is a shared housing so the other tenants can open the door to the pest controller. There was a pest controller last year.

G_M

What pests? How severe? Reported by who (you)?

Surely it is in your interests to get pests dealt with asap, and if other tenants can open the door, what's the problem?

Be grateful you have a responsible landlord.

Chloe14

G_M wrote: »

What pests? How severe? Reported by who (you)?

Surely it is in your interests to get pests dealt with asap, and if other tenants can open the door, what's the problem?

Be grateful you have a responsible landlord.

I just sent an email to landlord informing that I won't be available but that the pest controllers can do the shared/communal areas of the property or postpone their visit.

I equally informed him that there is not any problem since the landlord stated there are (maybe other tenants reported something that I am not aware of).

G_M

Chloe14 wrote: »

I just sent an email to landlord informing that I won't be available but that the pest controllers can do the shared/communal areas of the property or postpone their visit.

I equally that there is not any problem since the landlord stated there are (maybe other tenants reported something that I am not aware of).

Well I think you're balmy but you must do as you think best..

Doing part of the property only is not worthwhile as others have already said. Fleas, mice, bedbugs, rats (I note you have not answered my Qs about the pests) will all survive in the untreated areas and then migrate back.

Depending on the precise circumstances (ie type/severity of pests etc) I would ignore your email and enter & treat the entire property if I was the LL.

AnnieO1234

Don't be surprised if the landlord enters the property. If you've changed the locks then expect a bill and probable section 21.

Chloe14

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

If you've changed the locks then expect a bill and probable section 21.

Yes, I changed the locks but why a bill?
Why a section 21?

G_M

Chloe14 wrote: »

Yes, I changed the locks but why a bill?
Why a section 21?

Bill because the contractors will charge the landlord for an abortive visit when they cannot get access.

S21 because you are making it hard for the LL to do his job and you are thus a troublesome tenant.

AnnieO1234

Or alternatively bill for a locksmith to gain entry which in an emergency circumstance is perfectly reasonable for the landlord to charge.

As I said in my previous post, as LL I would be questioning what your issue was in the face of pests and wouldn't want an obstructive tenant causing detriment to the rest of my tenants in the block, which by failing to allow pests to be destroyed en masse you are doing. I wouldn't want you as a tenant and even if that meant court proceedings to get you removed, that is what I would do.