Any pest infection needs to be acted upon quickly, so it’s essential to understand the causes and who is responsible for dealing with it before the problems caused by pests become worse.
Pests mean trouble!
Whether rats, mice, wasps, fleas, bedbugs or cockroaches, an infestation of any pest causes property damage and potentially leads to illness due to the unsanitary conditions they can create.
Initially, you may not always see the culprits of the infestation yourself, but signs such as droppings, gnawed woodwork, nesting or strange smells are clues there may be unwanted visitors.
At these first signs of infestation, it’s important to act quickly, so whoever is responsible for dealing with the infestation must do so immediately. Leaving it will only mean a more significant issue to resolve in the future.
Determining who is responsible for dealing with pests – landlord or tenant – may not always be obvious, and it can depend on the cause of the infestation, but it shouldn’t be allowed to cause delay.
When is the tenant responsible for dealing with a pest infestation?
If an infestation can be linked to rubbish not being disposed of properly or the property not being kept clean. In these cases, the tenant will likely be held responsible for taking action.
When is the landlord responsible for dealing with a pest infestation?
Landlords are responsible for ensuring the property they rent is fit and safe to live in. This means if the cause of the infestation is a result of the landlord not meeting their obligations, they will need to deal with the matter. For example, a landlord is likely to be held responsible if:
- The infestation makes the property unfit to live in
- The infestation was present before the tenant moved in
- Repairs to the property are needed to prevent pests from entering, such as broken drains or cracked walls
- Actions taken previously failed to resolve the issue
Landlords should carry out repairs, bring in pest control or contact the local council to address the issue. If the cause is the landlord’s fault, the tenant should not be charged for any action taken to eradicate the infestation.
The tenancy agreement may also contain clauses relating to responsibility for managing pest infections and should also be referred to help determine who is responsible for what and when.
What can be done to deal with infestations?
It’s important to act quickly, informing the landlord when signs of a potential infestation are first noticed so that the landlord and tenant can work together to resolve the matter.
Send photo evidence of the issue to the landlord and locate the cause and source of the infestation so it can be eradicated. Pest control can assist with this.
Pests can do serious damage to the landlord’s property, so it is in their interest to deal with them quickly. Still, if they are not acting, tenants can contact the local council’s environmental health team, who can arrange an inspection, give advice and take enforcement action.
No Letting Go
If you would like to discuss how our local support or national network at No Letting Go can help you deal with pests and other hazards through regular inspections and inventories, streamlining costs and cutting your workload, contact No Letting Go today.
You might also like
What is driving the rental market boom?
Upload on June 8, 2023 by Lydia HorsleyThe national news is obsessed with the UK property market! There is no doubt it is a favourite headliner for most media outlets, and let’s face it, the UK public is obsessed with it too! However, it is specifically the residential rental sector that has been under the media microscope over the last 18 months [...]
READ MOREHow a Property Inventory Can Help Landlords Avoid Security Deposit Disputes
Upload on May 23, 2023 by Lydia HorsleyEvery landlord wants to complete the end-of-tenancy process as smoothly and efficiently as possible. However, it’s common for disputes to arise surrounding the property’s condition after tenants move out. As well as causing stress for both parties, such disagreements can lead to unfair financial losses. So, can landlords protect themselves and mitigate the chances of [...]
READ MOREThe Future of Energy Efficiency: Preparing for the 2023 EPC Rating Increase in Commercial Lets
Upload on May 22, 2023 by Lydia HorsleyIf you are involved in leasing commercial properties, it’s essential to be aware of recent changes in Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations. On 1st April 2023, the government introduced requirements for landlords to produce EPC ratings of band ‘E’ or better for their commercial properties. Such standards are designed to help the country achieve net [...]
READ MOREThe Role of Property Inventory in resolving Landlord-Tenant disputes
Upload on April 25, 2023 by Lydia HorsleyAs a landlord or letting agent, if you’re worried about securing money from deposits to repair any damage to your property caused by tenants, you should be looking at how robust your inventory is because it can play a crucial role in resolving disputes. What is a property inventory? A property inventory, also known as [...]
READ MOREGet in touch today
Supporting you and protecting your property are our top priorities.
Get in touch and let us know how we can help.