Keeping your rental pest-free: A shared responsibility

Both landlords and tenants have a role to play in maintaining a clean and pest-free rental property. Here's a breakdown of who's responsible for what:

• Landlord's responsibility: Generally, the landlord is responsible for taking care of pest control issues before the tenant moves in and arranging inspections, treatments, or repairs as needed.
• Tenant's responsibility: Tenants are responsible for maintaining a clean and sanitary living environment to prevent pest infestations from starting or worsening.

Who pays? In most cases, the party who caused the infestation is responsible for fixing it. However, proving fault isn't always easy.

Here are some tips to avoid disagreements:

• Clear communication: Make sure the tenancy agreement clearly outlines pest control responsibilities for both parties.
• Regular inspections: Conduct regular inspections to identify potential problems early on.
• Property condition report: Use a detailed property condition report to document the state of the property at the start of the tenancy.

By working together and understanding your roles, you and your landlord can keep your rental pest-free!