Tenant-landlord relations are not known very well by both sides when it comes to local laws. In this article, we’ll be talking about California legislation, particularly Los Angeles County. A lot of what’s listed here might not apply to your particular state or county. We hope it will encourage you to look into your local laws and legislations. It's good to know exactly what the law is with pest control in your landlord / tenant situation.
Why would I even want pest control?
Pest control is a necessity to many in Southern Californians. We have a dry climate and moisture is sparse. This attracts pests of all kinds, especially ants. Many landlords see pest control as a luxury for their tenants. They often times wait until tenants have issues before scheduling service.
Often times, waiting this long can make the problems worse for tenants and landlords. Infestations can get to a point that they are harder to reverse. This leads to more hassle for tenants and more money in services for landlords.
We usually recommend that landlords have recurring pest control at their properties to avoid these kind of issues.
Do I have to pay for this?
Many landlords require pest control even if their tenants don’t want it. Here in LA County, a landlord needs to provide their tenants with notice if they hire a pest control company. That means that even the more environmentally conscious have to deal with pest control at the home’s they rent even if they don’t want it. To a lot of tenants pest control can be a benefit provided by the landlord. However, keep in mind some landlords include the cost of pest control as part of the monthly lease. Always read every word of your lease agreement in detail. Landlords can make agreements that override legislation that's designed to protect tenants. Especially in the case of bed bugs, many landlords are specifically calling out how to handle these infestations.
Pest control is usually provided as a luxury to their tenants on a regular basis just to keep pests away. When it comes to more extreme pest infestations, it’s common for tenants and landlords to end up in disputes. Bed bugs, fleas and cockroaches can create a war of exactly who should be responsible for the service. Find more details about the logistics of those issues from our previous posts.
Always check with a lawyer to get your specific situation clarified. We are not providing legal council with this article.
That said:
For the most part, the landlord is responsible financially for pest control. Especially when it comes to general, regular pest control maintenance programs. It’s up to the landlord to decide if they want to provide regular pest control maintenance.
Secrecy and Ignorance
Many landlords have had severe pest issues at their properties before their new tenants move in. Some tenants will move out of a home from being too spooked by a bed bug or cockroach infestation with you being the next tenants. It’s always smart to ask about the previous tenants. Some move out because the landlord couldn’t handle the persistent rodent or roach problem on the property. Keep an eye out for evidence of possible pest infestation. Especially in apartment complexes, where shared walls and tight spaces can make problems hard to solve.
Apartment “show and tellers” will know more about the building you want to move into than you ever will. Ask questions, look in drawers and closets. Pests from a recent infestation often lay dead in the nooks and crannies of an apartment. A sharp eye on a walk through can give a good idea of whether or not there was previous pest issues. Look for dead bugs, roach motels, or roach bait in cupboards. All these things can give an sign of potential pest issues.
Ask Questions
Always ask questions. If something seems suspicious in your home and you’re a clean household, you may not be responsible to pay for services. Ask about the previous tenants when looking for a place. Ask why you would ever need to pay monthly for pest control when you haven’t seen an ant in your whole house. The things you ask your landlord can back them into a legal corner that can bring everything to light. Sometimes, landlords to have a right to make tenants for pest control services. Always check the local tenant-landlord relations handbooks in your county or with a lawyer.
Keep in mind, we are simply a pest control company, not lawyers. Always check with a lawyer to get your specific situation clarified. Laws are different depending on your city and county.