Who is Responsible For Pest Control in a Rental Property?

Jul 8

Before you can call your new house a home, there are a few things you need to take care of. Before you rent a new place, one of the most overlooked variables is checking for a pest infestation, and what pest control laws work for your lease contract.

The apartment of your dreams may have everything on your wish list — a great view, a great neighborhood, and great neighbors to live with — but pest control should be a top priority on your list. A pest infestation can cause a lot of property damage if overlooked, and could even be responsible for spreading diseases.

Before renting a new place, here are a few questions that you should ask about pest control:

Are landlords responsible for pest control in California?

If you have been troubled by pests since you moved into your rented home, then yes, the landlord is accountable in California for pest control.

As of 2016, Californian law mandates that landlords inform tenants if they themselves have carried out pest control. In general, pest control liability is always included in the lease agreement, where it explicitly states that it is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the structures they are renting out in the multi-unit building or single-family home.

What Are the Landlord’s Responsibilities When It Comes to Pest Control?

Landlords are responsible for pest and vermin control in California, with the exception that if the pest infestation was caused by the tenant's lack of housekeeping or cleanliness.
How to get rid of cockroaches, according to the apartment laws in California, is the responsibility of the landlord because cockroaches are the most common pests that tenants have to deal with.
Mice control is also the responsibility of the landlord if the apartment has a history of infestation of mice when the apartment is located in a grassy field.
If the rodent infestation is caused by the tenant's lack of cleanliness, such as failing to take out the trash on a regular basis or failing to clean the kitchen properly, the tenant may be responsible for paying for proper residential pest control.
If ants were present before the tenant moved in, the landlord is also responsible for them.

When Is a Tenant Responsible for Pest Control?

Most of the time, when tenants are dealing with a pest problem, landlords are accountable for residential pest control, seasonal maintenance of residential pest control, and immediate pest control.
If the landlord can prove, however, that the pests were caused because of the living habits of the tenant, the burden will fall on the tenant. The tenant is responsible for pest control, according to California Civil Code Section 1941.2, if his or her actions make the property inhabitable. This includes things like bringing a bed bug infestation into the house, having a cockroach infestation after the tenant moves in, and keeping the property unclean and inviting pests.
If the tenant is responsible for any services that are not already included in the lease, it is a good idea to discuss them. Examine your lease to see if it includes pest control, lawn maintenance, utility usage, and repair work.

Is the Pest Control Clause Included in the Rental Agreement?

Pest control is usually included as the responsibility of the landlord in the rental lease. Before signing the lease, make sure it states that the landlord will deliver the unit in good condition and will cover the cost of pest control in the property.
Also, check with the landlord if he or she is doing seasonal pest control on the property, usually 4 times a year, as a preventive measure for pests, before you sign a property lease.
Before you sign the lease, it's vital to get the technicalities out of the way. In general, property damage caused by pests will not be covered by your landlord. Your renter's insurance, on the other hand, will cover property damage caused by pests such as termites or rats.

If you feel overwhelmed and need help finding a great pre-vetted Pest Controllers Tulsa professional, give us a call.

Smart Living Home Repair Services

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New York, NY 10016

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