How to handle possible flea problem with vacating tenant?

Question

All of my rentals have been 'no pet' properties, but...

I have a tenant leaving soon who brought in an "assistance" animal - a dog.

So I have a few questions.

If you know the tenant has a dog, do you require them to flea-bomb when they vacate?

I've been reading that all surfaces should be cleaned after fogging since it's poisonous.

I do require professional carpet cleaning on move-out, and proof of it with a receipt.

Should I let tenant know they are required to use a professional exterminator service in the house & yard?

Or do it myself after they move out & bill it from the SD?

Account Closed · Answer

Place bowl with some soap and water under a small night light that is low to the floor. Do this in a number rooms at the same time. At night the fleas will hope at the light and fall into the soapy water and die.

Scott Mac · Answer

@Lois S.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth kills fleas (the non food grade can be carcinogenic that's for pools, don't use that kind).

Just sprinkle it on the carpets.

The internet has many sites with instructions on how to use it.

It odorless and non-toxic, as opposed to the chemical stuff.

I've used it to great effect.

Good Luck!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Tenant must hire a professional exterminator after departure. If he refuses, you hire them and charge it back to the tenant. Even when it's a service animal, the Tenant is 100% responsible for any problems it causes.

Jill F. · Answer

You'll know it if you have fleas once the animal(s) leave the apartment. Wear white socks and spend 30 minutes in the place and you'll see them. I wouldn't treat for fleas if you don't have fleas.

Colleen F. · Answer

I don't have carpet for the most part but I would only treat and charge a tenant if there were fleas. You can get a 4 pack of flea bomb cans at your local store if you see an issue or hire someone professionally and deduct it from their deposit if there are fleas.   I have never treated a yard for fleas/ticks and i don't think you could justify charging a tenant for that.

Lynnette E. · Answer

Some dogs also take a medicine that repels fleas.  Ask if the assistance dog does.  I would not charge unless there are fleas.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

@Colleen F. No. Fleas are pretty uncommon here. In fact, I've never had them despite hundreds of rentals. Professional carpet cleaning is mandatory and I would require pest treatment if they were present.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Nathan G.  is this your policy for all tenants with animals?  Regardless of the presence of fleas?

Scott P. · Answer

I'd do my standard walk through to list what all needs to be done.  I'd leave all the cabinet doors open, shut off pilot lights (assuming it's not winter and i need heat), then I'd set off insect bombs as i walked out the door.  I'd return 7-10 days later per instructions on the chemicals and I'd do it all again.

Then I'd come back and get it ready for rent.  If there is an insect problem when i returned, I'd call the professionals.

I wouldn't settle the deposit refund until I knew the outcome of all of this....

Jill F. · Answer

@Lois S. It would be exceedingly unlikely to have a situation where there were no fleas in the apartment at move out and only unhatched eggs. When you have a flea infestation and the animal moves out, hungry fleas will bite your ankles when you enter the unit. You are less likely to get bit on a casual visit while the animal is still there unless it is already REALLY bad. A second treatment is sometimes required to get unhatched eggs after a treatment but you will DEFINITELY know if there is a flea problem when a flea infested animal moves out.

Once I got a text of a picture of a flea on a tenant's sock from a tenant that did not have pets. I called her cat-owner neighbor and said, 'hey you having a problem with fleas?' and she said yes but she was trying to treat it by washing the cats in dawn.' I told her you have a bad infestation I'm sending seresto collars, calling the exterminator and billing you you. When I was over there to meet the exterminator she had bites ALL OVER her legs and she told me she didn't know what to do, that once when she was a kid, her family had to abandon a house the fleas got so bad!?

Its way cheaper to treat for fleas than it is to move. Some people really just don't know what to do. It took them a couple months but they paid for the collars and   the treatment. It was $224 for pest control guy and $90 for collars (for 3 cats)

How to handle possible flea problem with vacating tenant?

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