When it comes to pests in your apartment, you might think that the responsibility falls on you. But chances are, your landlord is responsible for pest control. This is because most leases include a provision that states that the landlord is responsible for maintaining the unit and keeping it free of infestation. If the lease doesn’t mention this, then it’s up to you to take care of any problems with bugs or other pests. Here are some guidelines to help you out if you get a pest issue in your apartment.
What is pest control?
Pest control covers many different types of animal infestations – from cockroaches, to mice, to bed bugs. The process for controlling them may be repellents or traps that can later be emptied away from the property. There are steps you can take to get rid of an infestation, or prevent a future one.
Whose responsibility is it to get rid of them?
Animals instinctively look for shelter as the weather gets colder. You may find yourself infested with bugs or mice looking for a place to stay warm for the winter. A quick call to the exterminator will send them packing, but whose responsibility is it to pay the bill? In some instances, your lease will have a provision for pest control written in – meaning that they offer pest control services and a technician comes out every 3 months or so.
In other areas across Australia, this issue isn’t so cut and dried. It can be unclear who pays the exterminator bill in this case. If there is nothing in your lease about pest control, you may need to call them yourself. Ask your property manager if they have pest control services, if not be prepared to pay it yourself and manage the situation to prevent future infestations.
Do you know your tenant responsibilities?
It is not uncommon to get animal infestations. If the apartment manager is doing their job, the instances of infestation should be pretty low. As a tenant, your responsibility is to keep the premises reasonably clean to prevent vermin and other pests. Overflowing trash can attract mice, and pets can attract fleas. Types of infestations caused by the tenant (due to uncleanliness) will be the tenant’s responsibility. An outbreak of vermin or pests not caused by tenant irresponsibility is generally the responsibility of the landlord or manager.
Preventing Pest Problems
Keeping your home clean and in good condition is important for preventing pests. Taking a few steps to avoid pest infestations will save you a lot of money in exterminator calls. It is better to prevent infestations than eliminate them later.
- Pick up, and dispose of, pet waste.
- Don’t let trash pile up inside.
- Put away uneaten pet food
- Keep food in tightly closed containers
- Keep your kitchen spotlessly clean
- Use organic animal repellent
By following these suggestions, you can ensure that you are properly taking care of your apartment and preventing any unwanted pests from entering. The best way to prevent an infestation of any sort is to remove trash on a regular basis, keep pet food put away, keep down clutter in places they like to hide, and discourage them from taking up residence.
Reviews can serve as a warning if a place has a lot of pests. If you are looking for a new home, check out the apartment reviews on RentRabbit.com.au for properties you are interested in renting. Read the tenant reviews or leave one of your own.
