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Updated over 4 years ago, 09/09/2020
Advice on tenant refusing pest treatment in apartment
Hello all, I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this. I manage a 10 unit apartment complex, and we have a mostly mild (some units moderate) roach infestation that is affecting almost all the units. The exterminators have recommended a clean out treatment which involves spraying pesticides, and tenants having to do some significant prep, including opening drawers, moving furniture away from the walls, and loosening electrical plates. They need to be out of the unit for about 3 hours.
The treatment needs to include all units in order to be effective, as otherwise the roaches will migrate through walls to non-treated units. We have one tenant who is refusing service and refusing to prep his apartment. He just informed me he is moving out at the end of the month, and the treatment is scheduled for this week. It is not realistic to change the date of the treatment, as other tenants have prepared and made arrangements, and also we don't want to wait as the infestation will worsen.
I am feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do you think it's fair to withhold the tenant's security deposit until his unit has been treated after he vacates, and we can be sure that the roaches are clear from his apartment and the surrounding units? Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thank you!