No matter where you live, you understand the need for pest control. Depending on the climate and the region, there are varying bug issues. Each state has tenant/landlord rules regarding pest control and who should handle the maintenance of the different home functions. Other than who is responsible, you may be asking what ways there are to prevent pests in a rental property.
At Tom Samples Pest Control, we have been taking care of all types of insect problems in rental homes and businesses throughout the area for more than six decades. Our team is proud to have the necessary knowledge, experience, and equipment to eliminate your Texas pest problem effectively.
Who is Responsible, the Tenant or the Landlord?
Landlords have the responsibility to maintain the unit in a safe and habitable condition. At a minimum, they should:
- Maintain the structure of the building.
- Make sure electricity, HVAC, and plumbing are in working condition.
- Keep the unit in a safe condition for tenants.
Beyond that, the lease agreement will spell out the various responsibilities for the home, unit, or complex care.
When there is no specific rule about pest control for a state in a landlord/tenant relationship, usual and customary practices are in order. There are two specific lease types to consider here: commercial and family.
Commercial Properties:
When leasing a commercial property for business, the rules and regulations should be clearly stated in the contract and agreed upon from the start.
Suppose the rental property is in a building all to itself. In that case, the landlord will be responsible for delivering the new business place bug-free. That is, while the property is vacant, the landlord will keep the site free of insects and in a habitable condition. When the renter takes the property’s occupation, the maintenance agreement in the contract should specify whether the landlord or tenant should resume pest control from there.
Should a tenant be leasing a space in a multi-unit mall, building, or plaza, it is in the landlord’s best interest to cover the pest control. This way, the landlord assures the other tenants that everyone is working together for a pest-free work environment. In this case, the landlord may have provisions for a portion of the pest control costs in the monthly rental fee.
Family Homes:
Homes seem to be a bit of a touchy subject when it comes to pest control. No one wants to stay in a house with bugs crawling around, no matter who is in charge. And, unfortunately, many people rush through the verbiage of the contract and simply sign the document.
Again, when the home is vacant, no matter what style home it is, the landlord should deliver it into the tenant’s hands, insect-free. From there, the contract will state the responsibility for pest control.
- Apartment Home Rentals In an apartment building, the landlord will customarily provide pest control services. The renter should then keep the home cleaned, so a pest problem does not begin and allow the pest control service to come in for service. It is in the landlord’s best interest to ensure maintenance is kept up, so there is no widespread insect problem in the entire building.
- Single-Family Home Rentals In a single-family home rental, things can be pretty different regarding pest control. When vacant, the landlord keeps up with pest control. But when the tenant occupies the property, the contract must be consulted. Some landlords will provide the service and take it out of the rent; some will not. Others will allow the tenant to begin caring for the home entirely until the end of the rental agreement.
- Duplex Home Rentals Duplex homes are a cross between apartments and single-family homes. You only share one wall, but the landlord is the same. This is another case where it is up to the landlord to include it in the rental agreement, whether pest control is covered or not.
Regarding Contract Language for a Rental Property
The wording of your initial rental or lease contract is vital to the relationship between the two parties. Both tenant and landlord should walk away from contract negotiations knowing precisely what is covered and by whom, including the pest control.
The tenant takes the ultimate responsibility.
Pest control is a cleanliness and comfortability issue. Unwanted critters carry germs, bacteria, disease, and all the things you don’t want around your family. Therefore, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the renter to read over the contract.
If line items like pest control are not in the rental agreement, the tenant should bring it up. There is nothing wrong with asking a landlord to spell out expectations in a contract. It shows you are a concerned tenant and want to maintain a peaceful relationship with the landlord.
Ways to Prevent Pests in a Rental Property
Landlord: Keeping Pests Out of Your Rental
Most landlords know their responsibility as far as pest control is concerned. So, when it comes to the rental units, there are some things that landlords can do.
- Keep the area around the units clean and inviting.
- Seal all cracks and holes for tenants. Keep the building up to code and standards.
- Prevent rodents by covering vents and hose connections from the outside to the inside.
- Sort waste and have a good waste management plan.
- Fix leaky pipes so that water is not a pest attracter.
- Perform property inspections and assess the condition of the rental and how they can help keep pests out.
Bed bugs, cockroaches, flies, wasps, rodents, and birds are some of the common pests that can infest any apartment complex. But the probability of pest infestations goes up living in a shared living space like an apartment. Being honest with tenants is a great way to connect with them and continue a good landlord/tenant relationship.
Tenants: Keeping Pests Out of Your Rental
Living in an apartment is an ideal living arrangement for some people, especially in cities. The benefits of living in an apartment can include:
- Walking distance to restaurants, grocery stores, nightclubs, and shops is relatively close.
- Rent can be less expensive than a mortgage.
- The landlord usually covers most maintenance.
- Amenities are often included in the rent.
- There may be short-term options for those who need a non-typical lease agreement.
- Hopefully, it is a convenient location for your work.
- And you may or may not want it to be convenient to friends and family.
Unfortunately, when it comes to pest infestation, living in an apartment can pose a significant challenge for pest control. You see, a wall throughout the apartment complex separates the units, and pests can travel within the apartments connected, through rooftops, pathways, ventilation systems, ceiling tiles, etc.
So, to avoid pest problems, take the following steps:
Close up cracks and holes. Look around your apartment and use a caulk gun to close the cracks and holes to prevent the pests from entering your space.
Keep kitchen and bathrooms clean. Make sure you keep food put away. Clean dishes and put them away. Remove trash daily from the apartment. Make sure your sink drains are clean.
Reduce the clutter in the place. Keep your apartment clear from clutter. Pests like to hide in clutter.
Be careful when returning from a trip. Bed bugs are common pests that can travel from hotels and even modes of transportation back to your home. You can bring them along in suitcases and even clothes. It is therefore advisable to check and inspect bags before storing them away.
Check second-hand furniture. Sometimes you find the best design to suit your taste or living space in second-hand furniture stores. It is essential to check them for any pest infestations before you bring them home. They may be infested with bed bugs, termites, and more.
Check all packages before they enter the home. Pests can reach your apartment through deliveries. Cardboard boxes often come from a long distance and can be infested with problems at various transit points. Packages from the grocery store often bring cockroaches along.
Tom Sample Pest Control Helps You Prevent Pests in a Rental Property
Tom Samples professional exterminators cover any infestation issue in rental properties, including bed bugs, spiders, scorpions, rodents, bees, wasps, cockroaches, ants, and other general pests.
Furthermore, our technicians can prevent extensive and expensive damage from occurring with early detection and ensure that these pesky insects are out of your living or working space permanently. And we offer treatment services that are not only effective but safe for both children and pets. Now, that is peace of mind for you and your family.
Get a free estimate for a pest control job in Springtown, Midlothian, Azle, Lake Worth, Haslet, and Ft. Worth. Call (817) 915-2470 to speak to our team and get on the schedule for your rental property elimination.