Tenant doesn't want to pay for exterminator

[Kevin Ha]

Hello guys,

I'm back with another round of questions from a newbie investor. Maybe you can help me navigate this awkward situation. Currently, I have a tenant that moved in February. Since then she has have a mice problem. It started with her saying that she had been hearing scratches along the walls so we boarded some things up and I gave her suggestions on how to keep the house clean so that mice won't exists. At that point it was dirty but she said that it was just that one day. I also suggested sticky traps as they were the best working (not the most humane, i know) but others just wouldn't do the job.she started catching them, she's apparently up to #10 in the last 2 months. However, when she started renting in February, there was not a mice problem and it didn't start until late April/May when she first started to notice them. She even got a cat saying it was to help with the mice, but I had ask to have her remove it as it was against the no pet clause in the lease. She is on a government program (CityFEPS) helping with her pay in NYC. At this point, I've said that I can no longer can help you and you need to call an exterminator. she said she did and the estimate was going to be about $350. She's stating that it is difficult for her to pay because of Covid and what not and says the exterminator also said she's going to need to do the whole house+basement. The first floor unit also has a tenant so I'm not sure about removing them just so the exterminator can lay traps and interrupt their lifestyle. they also have no issues with mice. I think she's going to use that to say I should pay for some if not all of the exterminator bill since it will require the whole house. Also, In my lease, it stated that the unit they are renting from is pest free from the date of rental and if any pest situation arises, that they will be responsible for it and not me. Also, I had passed inspection for the CityFEPs to be approved for a tenant to live here. I'm in NYC, Brooklyn if it helps. I called HRA but they said that because I own the property that is it still my responsibility and ultimately I would have to pay anyway. Is there anything I can do? Thanks for the help.

Warm Regards,
Kevin