Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 71 posts · 9 votes
Hello! I just got a call from a new tenant this morning. She moved in two months ago and the apartment was clean. She told me today that she’s dropped $100 trying to get rid of roaches, bedbugs, and springtails (which I think might be fleas) but that the problem is getting worse. How do you proceed from here? We just bought the building so the lease is under her previous landlord and he didn’t make any stipulations regarding things like this. Obviously I want the unit cleaned. Do I call an exterminator and bill her? Pay for it myself? Can I even ask her to pay for it if the old lease doesn’t mention anything like that? I appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Various bugs, insects (pests) exist everywhere. To follow the message from @Jill F., what does the lease say about it? My leases contains a clause that within thirty (30) days of occupancy, if the premises has pests the landlord will arrange for and pay for the initial pest control spraying and the tenant agrees to pay for the ongoing monthly pest control spraying fees. Landlords cannot control how clean a tenant lives. The first thirty days treatment provides a clean, pest free, home for the tenants and it is their responsibility to maintain the premises, including pest control. If the property has pests when the tenant moves out, the treatment expense is deducted from their security deposit.
Granted, if this is a multi-unit it is difficult to pinpoint which unit is the cause of drawing in the pests. In this situation I would protect my property and have all the units treated. If you find re-occurrences in a particular unit then you can address that one-on-one with the respective tenant.
Finally, it is prudent for me to add that you always check your state tenant-landlord laws and make sure you abide by them accordingly.
is she in a multi family (number of units?) or a sfr? What does the (former owners) lease say about pest control? tell her, the next time she sees a 'bed bug' to save it in a plastic bag so that pest control can verify what it is.
If it's a multi and it actually is bedbugs I would treat in self defense. I usually pay 250-400/unit for bedbug treatment with a 6month guarantee. (You'll want to get quotes for bed bugs so you don't get screwed over)
Jill's advice is sound. I too learned this the hard way to specifically call out that bug control is the responsibility of the tenant on the lease. When I didn't have it in there, I sucked it up and paid. Then as soon as leases came up I made certain my tenants were aware of the change. Key now is getting a hold of the lease. Best of luck!
Various bugs, insects (pests) exist everywhere. To follow the message from @Jill F., what does the lease say about it? My leases contains a clause that within thirty (30) days of occupancy, if the premises has pests the landlord will arrange for and pay for the initial pest control spraying and the tenant agrees to pay for the ongoing monthly pest control spraying fees. Landlords cannot control how clean a tenant lives. The first thirty days treatment provides a clean, pest free, home for the tenants and it is their responsibility to maintain the premises, including pest control. If the property has pests when the tenant moves out, the treatment expense is deducted from their security deposit.
Granted, if this is a multi-unit it is difficult to pinpoint which unit is the cause of drawing in the pests. In this situation I would protect my property and have all the units treated. If you find re-occurrences in a particular unit then you can address that one-on-one with the respective tenant.
Finally, it is prudent for me to add that you always check your state tenant-landlord laws and make sure you abide by them accordingly.
@Jill F. She is in a 6 unit building. She has the only apartment on the third floor. Unfortunately, the previous landlord was pretty crappy and his lease was basically three lines on a half sheet of paper. No stipulations made about pests. I’ll have her save some in a bag. Good idea! I’m also worried about all 3 kinds of bugs she’s mentioned, and an exterminator costing a lot to take care of all 3 pests. You would pay for it out of your pocket?
@Melissa Uppelschoten I have a copy of her old lease, and it wasn’t mentioned. So you think I should pay this time since it wasn’t stipulated previously?
@Tony Edington thank you. The lease with the previous landlord didn’t mention pests. No other tenants have complained of the issue. Should I start with treating her unit (she has the only apartment on the 3rd floor) and paying for it myself?
Since it isn't in the lease I would treat the unit at your own expense. Depending on the remaining lease term, maybe add a Lease Addendum to add a pest clause (it would have to be mutually agreed to by you and the tenants) or wait and add the clause to all future leases, including renewals. Again, check with your state tenant-landlord laws to make sure you are not violating anything regarding the pest control.
For reference; here is the clause in my lease, which you'll need to change for your location:
PEST NOTICE: TENANT understands that various pest, rodent and insect species (collectively, “pests”) exist in Southern Nevada. Pests may include, but are not limited to, scorpions (approximately 23 species, including bark scorpions), spiders (including black widow and brown recluse), bees, snakes, ants, termites, rats, mice and pigeons. The existence of pests may vary by season and location. Within thirty (30) days of occupancy, if the Premises has pests, LANDLORD, at TENANT’s written request, will arrange for and pay for the initial pest control spraying. TENANT agrees to pay for the monthly pest control spraying fees. For more information on pests and pest control providers, TENANT should contact the State of Nevada Division of Agriculture.