Landlords are required to provide
pest-free dwellings for their tenants to live in. If a pest problem occurs, landlords
are normally responsible for correcting it. Not only are landlords legally
responsible for pests, but they also have a good reason to stay on top of
things: tenants do not want to rent a place that has pests, nor do they want to
deal with a landlord that does nothing to prevent pests.
For these reasons and more,
landlords have a very real incentive to keep their dwellings pest-free. But it
takes work and dedication to do so. The following five tips are a few ideas for
keeping your rental properties free of pests.
1. Educate Your Tenants
Since you can't inspect your rental
property every day, your tenants are your first defense and your first warning
system against pest infestations. Whenever a new tenant moves in, you need to
educate them on pest prevention and the importance of:
- Maintaining a clean and
clutter-free property
- Watching out for signs of pests
- Alerting you or your property
manager if they spot a potential issue
Good tenants are vital for
preventing pest infestations. Be sure to screen your tenants carefully and
educate all new renters about pest issues.
2. Have Regular Property Inspections
Regular inspections (Home Monitoring
/ House Checking) often uncover pest issues and potential problems that can
lead to pest issues. As a landlord, you should inspect your property at least
on a bi-weekly basis. In addition to looking for signs of pests, you should
look for upkeep and cleaning issues, as well as cracks in the walls, floors, or
foundation through which pests can enter the home. Standing water can also be a
beacon for pests.
Pay special attention to the
cleanliness of the home. If the tenants are not caring for the property as they
should, consider adding a housecleaning service appointment as part of the
rental contract.
3. Maintain an Extermination
Schedule
A regular extermination schedule
will prevent new infestations and get rid of potential infestations before they
take hold. For this reason, you should maintain a regular, preventative
extermination schedule even if you've never seen the tell-tale signs of pests.
Exterminate your property on a monthly
basis. If you see signs of pests, you
may have to exterminate more frequently or utilize on-call service to
immediately handle an issue (i.e. bees, pack rats, termites, ants).
4. Perform Annual Maintenance
Pests usually enter the home through
entry points, such as cracks, vents, pipes, windows, and doors. You should
perform annual inspections and maintenance on your rental properties to check
these entry points. Check attics, basements, and entrances for places where
pests can enter. If you find any, seal them up.
New caulk around a window can go a
long way in warding off pest problems in the future. What's more, it's
inexpensive!
5. Clean the Property Regularly
A clean rental property is inviting
for potential renters and encourages return rentals and positive reviews. Provide tenants with proper bins for garbage
disposal as well as the means to clean up after themselves. Routinely remove
clutter, trash, or brush overgrowth when you spot them. If you see any nests or
food sources for vermin when you're walking the property, take care of these as
well. Again, consider adding a
housecleaning service appointment as part of the rental contract to keep your
rental in tip-top shape.
Pests can be difficult to get rid
of, especially if you allow an infestation to flourish. If you want to be
successful at keeping unwanted critters at bay, you must maintain a robust
program for preventing, detecting, and getting rid of them.
Call
NorthStar Cleaning & Property Services to find out more about what you can do to
keep pests from taking up residence in your rental properties. If you do not
have time to do the work yourself, we can help.
