Tenant killed three spiders in the house.🤨

[Joe S.]

We rented a property by way of a property manager. The tenant has been nitpicking from day one. They’ve sent in all kinds of maintenance request which many of them seem to be petty and bogus. For example they sent a maintenance request that the garbage disposal didn’t work. There was not a garbage disposal in the house due to us taking it out prior to renting it. Lol

Now they are filling out a work request saying they killed three spiders. My question is how do other landlords handled this sort of matter. This is a house they’re renting not a hotel room. We have never had any other tenants complain about something of this nature.

I haven’t got the tally from the property manager just yet, but they have been sending people over there for multiple service calls.🤨

[Joe Villeneuve]

As far as the garbage disposal not working, they were correct.  From what you described, the person who was supposed to dispose of the garbage,...wasn't.  However, in your defense, I assume there was never a provision in your rental agreement stating you were supposed to provide that person.

Now, the big one, the spiders.  Here's a couple of options of how I would have handled it.

Option 1:  The Endangered Species Act

1 - Ask them to describe the 3 spiders in detail.
2 - When they did, you should become very mad, because...,
3 - ...as you will tell them, they killed 3 endangered species of spiders (this is where you give them names, like Gomez, Leggs, and Webmaster), and send them a notice (official looking) stating this and the potential consequences (fines mostly) for doing so.
4 - Then you tell them about the 4 other spiders, and yes they have names too, and the 3 mice (with names) and the large rat (fur ball), all on the endangered species list.  Mention how the mice and rats are extremely difficult to see/find during the day, but own the house at night when everyone is in bed.

Then see what happens. 

Option 2: The Close your Eyes and Wait Act

1 - Tell them there's more where they came from, and if they want to eliminate them they should call an exterminator.
2 - The cost of the exterminator is not the landlord's responsibility
...of course they wouldn't be able to get past the laughing on the other end of their call to the exterminator to worry about any arguments about the cost, and who pays for it.

Option 3: The Placebo Act

1 - Buy a supply of aspirin (not for you, although you may want to keep some).
2 - Put them in a bottle labeled Anti Spider Pills
3 - Tell them to save the next spider(s) they kill.
4 - Give the bottle to them and tell them to crush the pills.
5 - Mix the crushed pills with the crushed spider and spread them throughout the house.
6 - Tell them this works, but only if they do this often since it depends on the quantity of spiders they use...the more the better.

This last one should at least keep them busy for a while, and you will have a free "spiders be gone" service.