Now you want the exterminator!!!???

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David Dachtera · Answer

@Cyntnia Brooks,

Well, first off, this may require an extremely patient approach. For example, ...

(In a voice that sounds like you're on their side instead of against them for being so sloppy...)

"Well, first off, if you have pests it's because they're finding food and lots of it. The first step to getting rid of them is to take away their food supply. Dirty dishes in the sink, food residue on the walls, the floor or whatever ... all these feed the pests. So, they'll keep coming back.

"Step 1 has to be to get rid of what they eat - keep the sink clear, clean up the residues, take out the trash when it needs it - and even when it doesn't! - and THAT will go a long away toward solving the problem.

"Now, I can send the exterminator out here, but if there's still food around for the pests for to find, they WILL keep coming back. That's a waste of time for him and you and a waste of money for me.

"Do you need help cleaning up? I know young children take a lot to manage. Shall I add a cleaning service to your lease? It will cost you more, but if we need to do that to get rid of the pests, well, it's for your family's protection."

Again, just a suggestion and just an example.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

First, get exterminator in and go with him, Advise tenant to prep apartment per the exterminator's needs prior to the appointment.

Take photo's of condition of apartment.

Give tenant notice that the apartment is to be kept in clean and sanitary condition, and all garbage and trash is to be properly contained, and removed on regular basis. Applicances, stove to be cleaned, refrigerator cleaned.. you name it clean it.

Give them notice to vacate as soon as their lease is up, you don't need Pigs they cost you money.

You don't have a conversation, you take photos, you write up non-compliance and if conditions persists contact health department to go in and inspect the unit.

Actually I've given written notice to tenants that their apartment is scheduled for inspection by health department just to scare them into cleaning.. and I've had health dept come and do inspections and write up orders that it needs to be clean and sanitary and will be back in 10 days to reinspect.

Cynthia Brooks · Answer

Actually, I tightened up the verbiage on the previous lease. Unfortunately, as you indicated some people just can't change. Thanks you for the excellent advice.

Laticia Braxton · Answer

Totally agree with David & Deanna, especially with Deanna's comment on getting rid of them as soon as you can.  Take it from someone who previously managed a 700+ apartment community with a big pest problem...sometimes they can be trained & will follow instructions and most times they don't get it and will never be clean.  It's sad but true.

Protect your investment and also your other tenants' right to a clean home and give them notice.  I would also add verbiage into your leases going forward with regard to how pest control will be handled & how  lack of cleanliness will not be tolerated.

Best of luck to you!

Cynthia Brooks · Answer

Hello,

I just received email from tenant that has me torn between laughing and screaming. I have tenants, a young couple with 3 children living in one of the units (renovated 2015) of my 4plex. They have been there for 2 years. For the first year and half everything went well. In the last six months they have been late with rent 3 times and incurred late fee they were slow in paying, but they did Pay. At present they are current with rent.  During the last six months also noticed they are not the cleanest of my tenants.  Take the following example:

1. You can literally follow a trail of bits of candy wrappers and bits and pieces of plastic to the front door of their unit.

2. On several occasions they put their big black trash bag into the hallway and let it sit there for hours. ( I PUT A STOP TO THAT).

3. My Super has expressed commented on their clutter of dishes in sink and days old food left on the stove and  sticky residue on radiator covers ( believed to be jam). Not to mention occasional hairball and dust balls on hardwoord floors.

Again,not the worst housekeeping but definitely not the best either ( Mind you I have sent tactful letters to all tenants reminding them of the importance of keeping the property clean).

I provide to all my tenants extermination service ( free of charge) on a bimonthly basis( no pest problems just want to make sure it stays that way). For the last 3 exterminator visits theses tenants have not taken the service ( to be honest part of the reason I have the exterminator come so often is because of them).  The last time the exterminator serviced their unit ( 5 months) he kept asking them if they had seen any pests ( roaches). They insisted they had not. To which he responded to me he found that hard to be believed considering the way kept the unit.

Anyway, move on to today. I get email from tenant saying their are hundreds of pests ( roaches) under her kitchen sink and her son has asthma. She brought a can of Raid. And she wants me to do  I do something about this immediately.

It's time I had a hard talk with these tenants. I'm not very comfortable telling someone in a tactful way that they keep a nasty, dirty apartment. Hence my question, how do you begin a conversation like that? What does and how does one say that? Thank you for any and all advise.

Now you want the exterminator!!!???

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