Pest/bug control tenant hired company

Pest/bug control tenant hired company

Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes

I have a long term tenant that seems to state that they’re having ants, spider, and wasp problems. She went ahead and hired a pest company, signed a contract for the next 18 months, to come and remedy the problem. She called and let me know that she did that. In my lease it states that the tenant, after 10 days, is responsible for all problems related to pest control. It did not include the wordage wasp, ants, spiders but I’m sure it relates to all “no limited to”. Is the tenant responsible for all interior and exterior pest problems or is it strictly interior? Her husband is allergic to wasps and I did take care of one nest but she’s states there are like three more nests. She also stated that her kids can’t play outside because of the misquotes and spiders that are outside. I guess from a landlords perspective, I’m not quite sure what I owe to the tenant. Apparently, wasps have been bad this year. I do not plan on paying for the service that she signed up for but also not clearly sure how I can help. A lot of the pest problems were never a major problem until recently. 

Thank you 

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Rental Property Investor · Monroe, WA · Member since 2018 · 177 posts · 98 votes
2y

In our state (WA) the tenant is responsible for pest control (as long as it was pest free when you delivered it) for SFR and the landlord is responsible for multifamily.

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  • Investor · Clairemont, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    Without hearing the conversation its often hard to gauge the objective...she could be fishing for you to pay, she could be venting, she could be complaining thinking you could do something, or she could just be making conversation...who knows!

    I'm often not quick on my feet, but my response would be something along the lines of, I'm glad you were able to find a service hopefully they're successful in taking care of the issue for you. Unless she expressly states she wants to know what you're going to do, or says you're responsible then I wouldn't engage. 

    As far as what your responsible for; nothing. This sounds like a SFR and if so it is typical that the tenant is responsible for these kind of items. If its something major like termites then of course it should be your responsibility but normal every day pests is theirs to address.

  • Property Manager · Westminster, CO · Member since 2018 · 486 posts · 110 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Matt Devincenzo:

    Without hearing the conversation its often hard to gauge the objective...she could be fishing for you to pay, she could be venting, she could be complaining thinking you could do something, or she could just be making conversation...who knows!

    I'm often not quick on my feet, but my response would be something along the lines of, I'm glad you were able to find a service hopefully they're successful in taking care of the issue for you. Unless she expressly states she wants to know what you're going to do, or says you're responsible then I wouldn't engage. 

    As far as what you're responsible for; nothing. This sounds like a SFR and if so it is typical that the tenant is responsible for these kind of items. If it's something major like termites then of course it should be your responsibility but normal every day pests is theirs to address.

    Yes SFR. I did thank her for being proactive and taking care of it. I even helped last time with taking care of the wasps nest but makes more sense to turn it over to a professional company at the tenants expense. 

    I appreciate your comment and expertise 
  • Rental Property Investor · Monroe, WA · Member since 2018 · 177 posts · 98 votes
    2y

    In our state (WA) the tenant is responsible for pest control (as long as it was pest free when you delivered it) for SFR and the landlord is responsible for multifamily.

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y

    @Nadir M. tenant is responsible but realistically if a wasp nest is attached to the house I remove it.  Otherwise it is nature and misquotoes , ticks, bees and spiders live outside. 

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