Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated about 6 years ago, 11/19/2018

User Stats

15
Posts
3
Votes
Tiffany Smith
Pro Member
3
Votes |
15
Posts

Tenant has a bird in there unit .. what to do?

Tiffany Smith
Pro Member
Posted

My tenant just messaged me that there is a bird in there 3bed 2bath apt/unit? I wanted to know whose responsibility is it to remove the bird? It is currently stuck in the laundry room. Obviously they left the door open and a bird flew in.... Is it my problem as landlord or theres to solve? If it is my problem how do I get a bird out of the laundry room? Thanks for your help!

  • Tiffany Smith
  • User Stats

    2,879
    Posts
    3,369
    Votes
    Mary M.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Portland OR
    3,369
    Votes |
    2,879
    Posts
    Mary M.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Portland OR
    Replied

    I would open all doors and windows and see if it will fly out.  

    You can also toss a towel over it and hold it and take it outside. 

    I would help my tenant. 

    ETA once you open doors/windows dont stand in front of it - walk out of the room and see if it will leave on its own. It wants out as badly as you want it out! 

    User Stats

    57
    Posts
    30
    Votes
    Nathan Wankel
    • Investor
    • Denver, CO
    30
    Votes |
    57
    Posts
    Nathan Wankel
    • Investor
    • Denver, CO
    Replied

    @Tiffany Smith I would go over and help them get it out. Only because some people do strange things in those situations and you don't want any destruction. 

    Steadily logo
    Steadily
    |
    Sponsored
    America’s best-rated landlord insurance nationwide Quotes online in minutes. Single-family, fix n’ flips, short-term rentals, and more. Great prices.

    User Stats

    1,225
    Posts
    561
    Votes
    Scott Weaner
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Yardley, PA
    561
    Votes |
    1,225
    Posts
    Scott Weaner
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Yardley, PA
    Replied

    Why is it that people can't seem to handle anything?

    We have had this happen in our own home. We figured it out, got the bird to fly out in about 1 minute. I had to get a squirrel out of one of my rentals. That was a bit harder as they are so pig-headed. I still was able to do it without calling anyone.

    User Stats

    13,926
    Posts
    12,725
    Votes
    Replied

    As their landlord you have a responsibility to help your tenant. Tell them to open the door.

    User Stats

    9,626
    Posts
    15,459
    Votes
    JD Martin
    Property Manager
    Pro Member
    • Rock Star Extraordinaire
    • Northeast, TN
    15,459
    Votes |
    9,626
    Posts
    JD Martin
    Property Manager
    Pro Member
    • Rock Star Extraordinaire
    • Northeast, TN
    ModeratorReplied

    Removing a bird is fairly easy: darken the entire room except for one open window. The bird will go towards the light and remove itself. Barring that, you can cover it with a towel, pick it up and put it outside. 

    business profile image
    Skyline Properties
    0.0 star
    0 Reviews
    Account Closed
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Central, fl
    821
    Votes |
    950
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Central, fl
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

    As their landlord you have a responsibility to help your tenant. Tell them to open the door.

    Wow... your lease says you are there for them to abuse?  Man that sucks.  

    If a tenant called a professional management company the PM would most likely tell them it was their problem to handle and would possibly give the advice given here of how to get rid of it. 

    I know I’m not running over to my property to do a tenant responsibility.  Next they will be calling to do their laundry.   

    User Stats

    625
    Posts
    601
    Votes
    Matt P.
    • Investor
    • Columbus, OH
    601
    Votes |
    625
    Posts
    Matt P.
    • Investor
    • Columbus, OH
    Replied
    @Eric C. What? He specifically said he would tell them to open the door. Not run over there lol.

    User Stats

    625
    Posts
    601
    Votes
    Matt P.
    • Investor
    • Columbus, OH
    601
    Votes |
    625
    Posts
    Matt P.
    • Investor
    • Columbus, OH
    Replied
    @Tiffany Smith I had a Tennant that had a bat get in their place one night. I was only 5 minutes away so I went and caught that sucker and took it outside. For a bird I would tell them to open windows and leave it alone for a while if they weren't comfortable catching it but I wouldn't be making the trip over or paying for anyone to help them get it out.

    User Stats

    1,512
    Posts
    1,436
    Votes
    Gail K.
    • Augusta, GA
    1,436
    Votes |
    1,512
    Posts
    Gail K.
    • Augusta, GA
    Replied

    Good gravy; are we talking about a vulture here?

    The obvious answer is to leave the door that the bird flew in open and the darn thing is likely to fly out the same way it came in pretty soon.


    Gail

    User Stats

    85
    Posts
    65
    Votes
    Hannah Krebs
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Saint Paul, MN
    65
    Votes |
    85
    Posts
    Hannah Krebs
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Saint Paul, MN
    Replied

    Personally I would help them out if they are unable to get it out themselves, it's a pretty small task overall. If you don't feel comfortable, I would call a pest control specialist.

    User Stats

    15
    Posts
    3
    Votes
    Tiffany Smith
    Pro Member
    3
    Votes |
    15
    Posts
    Tiffany Smith
    Pro Member
    Replied

    Thank you everyone. I am on my way there to help with the bird :)

  • Tiffany Smith
  • User Stats

    2,834
    Posts
    3,901
    Votes
    Anthony Wick
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Ankeny, IA
    3,901
    Votes |
    2,834
    Posts
    Anthony Wick
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Ankeny, IA
    Replied
    @Tiffany Smith Tennis Racket
    PropStream logo
    PropStream
    |
    Sponsored
    Nationwide property data Use our robust, multi-sourced data to find off-market properties and close your next deal.

    User Stats

    13,926
    Posts
    12,725
    Votes
    Replied

    @Account Closed

    As Matt points out I would tell them on the phone when they called to open the door and let it out. I am absolutely not at my tenants beck and call.

    One advantage that a C/D class property landlord would have is that they would not get a call. The bird would end up as dinner.

    User Stats

    3,316
    Posts
    4,457
    Votes
    Mike Cumbie
    Agent
    • REALTOR®
    • Brockport, NY
    4,457
    Votes |
    3,316
    Posts
    Mike Cumbie
    Agent
    • REALTOR®
    • Brockport, NY
    ModeratorReplied

    It's been 4 hours has the invader been removed? :)

    • Mike Cumbie
    Account Closed
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Las Vegas, NV
    1,347
    Votes |
    2,334
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Las Vegas, NV
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Mike Cumbie:

    It's been 4 hours has the invader been removed? :)

    there has been a setback ,it turned out to be an Eagle!!!!

    User Stats

    3,975
    Posts
    3,352
    Votes
    Pat L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Upstate, NY
    3,352
    Votes |
    3,975
    Posts
    Pat L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Upstate, NY
    Replied

    works for us!!!

    User Stats

    3,975
    Posts
    3,352
    Votes
    Pat L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Upstate, NY
    3,352
    Votes |
    3,975
    Posts
    Pat L.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Upstate, NY
    Replied

    Oh boy they're protected !!!

    Account Closed
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Central, fl
    821
    Votes |
    950
    Posts
    Account Closed
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Central, fl
    Replied
    Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

    @Account Closed

    As Matt points out I would tell them on the phone when they called to open the door and let it out. I am absolutely not at my tenants beck and call.

    One advantage that a C/D class property landlord would have is that they would not get a call. The bird would end up as dinner.

    Haha.  I can’t say that I’ve ever had city bird before.  

    User Stats

    11
    Posts
    3
    Votes
    Carson Arthur
    • Roanoke Rapids, NC
    3
    Votes |
    11
    Posts
    Carson Arthur
    • Roanoke Rapids, NC
    Replied
    @Tiffany Smith I can’t be the only one that thought you were referring to “Bird” as In the scooter right....