What would you do about a tennant complaining about mice?

Question

Is it the responsibility of the landlord? Should it be left to the tennant to deal with? What might they do if the landlord refuses to deal with it? I'm wondering what others would do in this situation

Ned J. · Answer

IF the tenant isn't keeping the unit relatively clean and is not taking relatively basic and simple measures to help get rid of the issue....... i.e they are leaving garbage and food sources out...... then you can hire all the exterminators you want and it will only put a dent in the issue. Its not a matter of "confronting" them about the issues...... its about fully assessing the issue and tackling the WHOLE issue, not just part of it and expecting success. Realistic expectations..... the tenant cant be a slob and expect a simple pest control visit to clear the issue

If the tenant is keeping the unit clean and not doing things that attract the mice, then you are in a much better spot and have a better chance of taking care of the issue.

Another factor can be the surrounding units...... you may be clean but if the close neighbors are keeping trash and food around, again..... you can only put a dent in the situation since the real source is out of your control.....realistic expectations........ the tenant expects the issue to be taken care of..... but you have to point out issues that may prevent that from happening.

Alvin Mcbride · Answer

These are all the landlords problems, to deal with not the renters, they are the ones that decided to make money with their properties! Owners need to pay these funds out of their pockets, or by law the renters can legally stop paying rent!

Joe M. · Answer

kill the mice?

Ned J. · Answer

What does your lease say and your state laws?

As a landlord, mice damage your property..... I would not leave it solely up to the tenant to deal with it...... but you need to attack the source of the issues which is often tenant hygiene...... mice come and stay where there are food sources, moisture and warmth.....

Account Closed · Answer

@Muneeba Amjad

Get rid of their hiding spots, they’re not exactly social creatures. Then get rid of their point of entry. Then get rid of them by treating w poison. If removing their hiding spots means removing tenants who leave bags of cans and boxes etc all over on the back porch, so be it.

James Mc Ree · Answer

Account Closed I thought about that, but I get $1,225/month and all but $35 if guaranteed through Section 8.  I looked at it as a temporary hit that does improve the property by sealing it, but it went longer than I expected with quarterly bills of about $100.  I cut off the service today, which would have been another quarterly treatment of nothing more than reloading traps and bait.  I told my tenant she can do that or hire Teriminix to do it for her.  The risk is a mouse infestation in late Fall.  I have to watch for that.

Account Closed · Answer

Ah yeah, I'm wondering what someone in that situation and how to deal with the tenant would you consider kicking them out?

Account Closed · Answer

So how can you be sure to effectively deal with it? Might it be grounds to kick the tenant out?

Account Closed · Answer

But can all of those really be helped? I mean the tennant obviously needs to keep their place warm, and they need to store food too. Would you confront the tennant then?

James Mc Ree · Answer

@Alvin Mcbride Not true, Alvin.  In my leases, insect and rodent issues are the responsibility of the tenant as they are often  the result of cleanliness of the home.  It is not true that renters can legally stop paying rent because there is a mouse in their house.

I take responsibility for the structure itself.  In my case, I paid to seal the structure to the extent possible.  Keep in mind that a mouse can enter through a space the diameter of your pinkie or less. Properties are not built to stay completely sealed so tight such gaps never occur, much less decades after they are built, so some maintenance is needed.  A mouse that does get in, but finds no food reports back "Don't go there." to the family.  A mouse that finds food brings everyone along and starts a new home.  That is usually the problem.

What would you do about a tennant complaining about mice?

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