Is townhome a single family or multi family unit?

Question

I’ve got a townhome rental unit right next to my private residence. I’ve been paying for quarterly routine pest treatments since tenant moved in mid January 2018 (on a 2 year lease). Tenants are difficult to work with when it comes to scheduling the pest service. I schedule a week or two in advance and then they’re not home when tech is here or like this time the techs give me a window of 7:30-5 (all day, but give shorter window the day of), tenant was emailed the info Monday asking to let me know Monday if it needs to be rescheduled. They just notified me (end of day Wednesday) that they’ll be available after 3 pm only. Tenant also stated that they seem to have mice in laundry room (first floor, winter is coming, nothing out of ordinary). Per Montgomery County, MD ‘The property owner is responsible for extermination in multi-family rental units and the tenant is responsible in single family rental units.’ When I obtained the rental license the townhome is classified as single family.

My question is two fold:

With regards to who pays for pest control is townhome also considered a single family or a multi family?

If single family, how should I break it to them to start paying and scheduling their own appointments?

My question is two fold:

With regards to who pays for pest control is townhome also considered a single family or a multi family?

If single family, how should I break it to them to start paying and scheduling their own appointments?

Thomas S. · Answer

@Mary Mitchell

"So it gets done."

When th ecost is the tenants responsibility the landlord still has it done but you bill it to the tenants.

Mary M. · Answer

I would generally pay for routine pest service unless it was in the lease that tenant pays. Why? So it gets done.

Thomas S. · Answer

All that you have to do is tell them they are responsible for pest control per the County codes.

You also need to take control of the management of your rental. When contractors are needed to be on site you do not arrange it at your tenants convenience. You give the tenants 24 hrs notice and be there to let the contractors in. It is up to the tenants to decide if they want to be there or not. Stop catering to their needs, yours come first.

Aaron Poling · Answer

I consider a town home a single family home but you would want to check with your county to see how they define it. If they are going to be required to pay for it, I would be very up front with them and explain the situation. I would then follow up with everything in writing to them, so you can prove they were notified.

Good Luck!

Sofiya Cherni · Answer

Thank you for great advice! Per lease "Tenant is responsible, after the first thirty (30) days of occupancy, for general control and elimination of household pests including, but not limited to, fleas, ticks, roaches, silverfish, ants, cricket and rodents". I may pay for one more treatment to show that I paid for a full calendar year and then schedule the treatments myself but bill them instead.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Assuming the townhouse has it’s own individual tax ID no./deed, then yes it is a SFR. What does your lease say, or is it silent on pest control.

To be clear, the county ordinance may Require an owner of a multi family to do pest control but I’m sure it doesn’t Require the renter in a SFR to be responsible for it, just that the landlord is Not required.

If your lease says you do it, then you’re required to do it. If the lease is silent, neither one can Require the other one to do it.

The logistics is a whole other issue.

Mary M. · Answer

So obvious! And i even do this. ;) must of been a long day lol

Is townhome a single family or multi family unit?

Is townhome a single family or multi family unit?

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