Who is responsible for rat control?

Question

I'd like to hear what others have experienced and their solutions. I live in a rural part of Hawaii and rats are a reality here. My tenant has a dog that she leaves the door to the outside open for, and she has left dog food in the bowl and has not stored her food properly. Even after the rats started to come in and eat avocados on her counter, she has not set traps, or bait for them inside. She still leaves the door open. She says she thinks one is living inside (!!!!) and her dog kills them when they wander in.

Rats are chewing holes in the screen to go in/out as well. There were no rats when she moved in and I never had rats enter the place in 10 years prior. She thinks it is my responsibility as a landlord to address it. As it is her behavior that is causing the issue, I feel that she is responsible. I have given her notice as she is irresponsible about her dog, and so we are at this juncture. Her dog also has fleas and she is fighting me that her dog has fleas due to the rats and she doesn't want to pay for a flea fumigation.

If I am in the wrong and it is my duty and responsibility to take care of these things, I would certainly do so, but I don't think that's the case. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Ryan Murdock · Answer

As a landlord, I have pretty much always made pests a tenant responsibility. However, as a recent transplant to Hawaii I'm noticing rats all over the property. We keep a clean house and have 2 Jack Russell Terriers on full alert at all times but the rats have chewed through two screens this month and I've chased them out of my cupboards. Yes, they are coming in to get food but it's not as though we are "dirty" and leaving it out. It's still my responsibility (as a tenant here) to better seal what food we do have (and set traps if needed) but I've never seen a rat issue quite like this. And this is a "nice" neighborhood, not a dump. I think the heavy foliage and numerous fruit trees are a constant food source that keeps them around.

As for fleas, I properly treat my dogs so even if the rats have fleas they shouldn't affect my dogs. Your tenant should do the same.

Colby Hanley · Answer

I have four rentals on Maui and have had problems with both mice and rats in the beginning.  I have learned to be proactive with the problem by putting out rat poison blocks around the yard on all four sides of the homes.

You can buy a large bucket of Poison blocks from Home Depot or Lowes for under $25.00, then place them in areas that rats or mice would come from.  I put the blocks in the same locations each time in cinder blocks that are hidden in the foliage.  I check the locations monthly or so when I maintain the yard if the poison blocks are gone I replace them.

I have been doing this for over ten years and have never seen or had a complaint from a tenant about rats or mice since.

Ryan Murdock · Answer

Be careful with the poison if there are pets around. Rat eats poison, dies, and dog eats dead poisoned rat. Not good.

Dennis M. · Answer

You’ll have rats and fleas forever as long as you tent to this idiot because you must eliminate the sources to stop vermin or it will be for naught . Find a new tenant . Don’t renew the lease

Zarine D. · Answer

Andrew Angerer I gave her a 45 day notice due to issues with her dog. So at this point we are disagreeing about who pays for rat extermination. As rats were not inside her place when she moved in, I think it is her responsibility since she leaves food out and the front door always open. She does not want to pay for a flea fumigation. She claims the rats gave her dog fleas. The lease requires a flea/tick fumigation after a pet. I use the standard NAR Hawaii lease which has no mention of pests, which I will definitely amend it moving forward. I agree Nathan G. that she should take responsibility for her actions that encouraged rats. I've always been very fair with my renters and am seeking investor opinions if I am way off base here!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I lived in Hawaii three years and never had a rat. They go where there's a source of food and water so your tenant needs to take responsibility for that.

Matthew Paul · Answer

That should be addressed in your lease

Andrew Angerer · Answer

I had a similar case with tenants and fleas, the best way to prevent this is a good contract strictly stating that you will do the inspections for pests but they must pay if there needs to be any action taken.

As far as your situation goes, has this tenant always paid on time and has no other problems? If so, I would say hold on and pay for this, once, but make sure they are aware of the consequences in the future if problems come back.

If this person is already a hassle and known for paying late/ having excuses, its better to cut your losses and start looking for a new tenant before you lose too much money

Who is responsible for rat control?

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