Pest Control. Should landlord pay for it?

[Aaron Rowell]

Is it common for landlords to pay for pest control?

[Kyle J.]

@Aaron Rowell What type of property is it?

I rent out single family houses that are guaranteed pest-free when I initially rent them. (If not, the tenants just have to let me know within the first month and I’ll send someone out to treat them.) After that, pest control is the tenant’s responsibility per the lease.

On the other hand, if we were talking about a large multi family property, then I think it’s better that the landlord/property management company oversee pest control since it’s too difficult to treat each unit individually. (Not to mention some units may choose not to even treat if it were up to them.) 

If one unit is infested, and you only treat that one unit, the pests could just move to another connected unit. You’d just end up chasing them around, but never getting rid of them or controlling them. You need a coordinated plan of attack.

So to me, the type of property makes a big difference about who should be responsible for the pest control.

Just my two cents.