Pest control in your investment property

Pest control in a rental property is critical. If it isn’t managed properly, it can lead to problems for tenants and landlords, requiring costly interventions to eliminate pests. As always, prevention is the best course of defence against pests. However, sometimes pests can still end up in a rental property. The type of pest generally determines who is responsible for fixing the problem. Keep reading to learn more about pest control for your investment property.

What is pest control?

Pest control involves managing or removing pests from a property. The management process is typically to prevent pests by using deterrents or repellents. The process of removing a pest will depend on the type of pest and how long it has been present in the property.

Who is responsible for pest control?

Pests, such as ants, cockroaches, and fleas, are typically the tenant’s responsibility as they can get into a property due to conditions created by a tenant. These conditions may include having a pet that has fleas, improperly storing food and other consumables, and not keeping the property clean and well-ventilated.

Landlords are generally responsible for pest and vermin control for animals such as rats, mice and termites. Of course, if the persistence of the pest was caused by the tenant not properly looking after the property, then it is their responsibility.

How to prevent pests

There are things your tenants can do to prevent pests at your property. For example, to prevent termites, tenants should keep any wooden materials next to the property and let their property manager know if cracks and holes in the walls and foundations need to be filled. Other pests can be prevented by keeping the property clean, which your tenant should be doing anyway. If a tenant sees a pest, such as a spider, they should take steps to remove it from the property.

For landlords, you may have to undertake compulsory pest control annually to prevent pests and vermin. This will depend on where your property is located and the laws that your local council enforces.

Taking steps to prevent and manage pests in your property is a critical part of keeping it in good condition for your tenants and future capital growth. While some pest problems are a tenant’s responsibility, other problems, such as mice and termites, are your responsibility to address. As always, preventative measures are best, and taking the time either when a new lease is about to begin or through your property manager’s routine inspections to check for pests will keep your property in top condition.

Remember, this article is general in nature and is not financial or legal advice. Please consult your professional financial and legal advisors before making any decisions for yourself.