If you live in New England, you probably look forward to summer all year. The warm weather, sunshine, and beach days are some of the best parts of living in New England. However, residents know that although summer has many perks, it also has a few drawbacks. The warm weather of summer often brings in a variety of different pests that can invade your home. Dealing with any sort of pest is never ideal, but it should be taken care of sooner rather than later so that the problem doesn’t get out of control. If your rental property is in need of pest control, you maybe be wondering if this falls on you or the landlord. While the answer may vary from state to state, under most circumstances, the landlord will be responsible for pest control. Depending on the lease agreement and the cause of the infestation, though, the tenant could be responsible for finding a solution. Keep reading to learn more about who’s responsible for pest control in rental properties.
When Landlords Are Financially Responsible for Pest Control
It is implied through the warranty of habitability that landlords are responsible for maintaining livable conditions at their rental property. Since pests would jeopardize the livability of the property and the overall health of the tenants, it’s also implied that this would make it the landlord’s responsibility to pay for pest control. This is something that should be agreed upon in the lease agreement so that there are no misunderstandings when pest issues do arise.
When Tenants Could be Responsible for Pest Control
While pest control will typically be the responsibility of the landlord, there are certain instances where the tenant may be responsible financially if the landlord can prove that the tenants actions caused the infestation. For example, certain pests are attracted to areas that are unclean. So, if the tenant fails to take out the garbage in a timely manner or habitually leaves areas like the kitchen unclean, it could attract pests like ants or cockroaches. In these cases, an exterminator will be able to help determine if it indeed was these actions that caused the infestation.
Timeline for Pest Control
When it comes to pest control, timeliness is key. After a tenant has contacted the landlord about an infestation, that landlord should act immediately, as failure to do so could make the infestation worse. A commonly asked question is if tenants can withhold rent until pest control is taken care of. The answer will vary, but tenants may be within their rights to do so until the problem is under control. Landlords should document everything regarding the infestation in order to protect themselves from legal action.
Contact Lamacchia Property Management
Being a landlord of a rental property comes with a lot of responsibilities, including pest control. If you’re interested in becoming more of a “backseat” property owner, contact Lamacchia Property Management today to learn about our property management services. Our team can handle the hard work of handling maintenance requests and managing the property while you sit back and enjoy monthly passive income!