Roaches and Mice

[Ben Rasche]

Hello BPers!  I just had a tenant call to inform me that they're having an issue with roaches and mice.  I plan on going over there tomorrow to visit the property and see what type of condition they are keeping it in, but I was wondering what recommendations you all may have for dealing with this issue, both products that are effective, as well as dealing with the tenants if they are in fact keeping the home in unsanitary conditions.

[Austin Entrop]

Same as above. I do a preventative extermination prior to tenants moving in. I also advertise this as a feature when leasing, and during the lease signing I have a paragraph that specifically states that the home has been professionally exterminated prior to move in. My exterminator charges $60 for a preventative treatment and offers a 90 day warranty. 

That proves the home is pest free upon move in and makes it easy to explain later on too when the tenants call in comparing about bugs. 

I do take care of rodent entry points. Squirrels chew a hole in the soffit? Definitely I fix it. Mice chewing through siding or other obvious entry points, of course I will fix those. Other than that, pest control is tenant responsibility.

In addition to that, I send an inspector to go take pictures inside and outside of all of my units at a minimum of every 6 months. I am up front about it, explain it when signing the lease, and tenants rarely have a problem with it. I tell them I am checking the house, foundation, walls, roof, etc. If they are not keeping the home in a sanitary condition I will write them a letter and ask them to fix the matter. If they don't, I don't renew the lease.