It can be fun to share a place with furry friends, but it is not funny when those friends are bugs or other scary crawlies. The stress of having a pest problem can be high for renters.
Who is in charge of getting rid of them? Who do you live with? Like a lot of things in life, the answer is unknown. Do not worry, though!
This article will help you as a renter figure out how to get rid of pests in your home while keeping the lines of duty clear. Let Exterminator Services in Elgin take care of your pest control needs if you want professional help.
The landlord’s role is to maintain a habitable space.
Let us say you are excited to unpack when you move into a brand-new apartment. But when you look more closely, you see that unwanted pests have already claimed the area as their own.
Right now, your landlord is the one who needs to do something. They are required by law to give people a “habitable dwelling,” which means a place that is free of health risks, such as pests.
This means taking care of any pest problems that are present when you move in or problems with the building’s structure, like cracks or pipes that leak. In this case, your landlord should look into where the pests are coming from and hire a professional pest control service to get rid of the problem.
The responsibilities of the tenant for a pest-free home.
The owner is in charge of the property’s general state, but renters are also very important when it comes to avoiding and dealing with pest problems. Do not do it alone; work together! This is where you come in:
1. Keep things clean.
Pests like it when there are food crumbs, trash cans that are full, and dirty dishes. Clean the surfaces in your kitchen, sweep the floors, and throw away trash the right way every so often.
2. Store things smartly.
Do not leave food out in the open. Keep food in cases that do not let air in and store items closed. Animals that are hungry will be less likely to come to your room now.
3. Seal up the entry points.
Look for cracks and small holes in the walls all over your apartment, especially near the pipes and windows. These openings can be signs that pests are welcome. You can help keep them out by caulking or weather-stripping these spots.
4. Report right away.
If you see any signs of bugs, you should tell your owner right away. It is easier to handle a problem if it is dealt with quickly.
Remember that it is important to keep track of any pests you see by taking pictures and writing down what you say to your owner. If there is ever a debate about who is responsible for the problem, this knowledge can help.
Shared responsibility is needed in specific cases.
When your friend moved out and left a pile of dirty dishes behind, you might start to see roaches. In this case, the problem might not be with the building itself but with the carelessness of the former tenant.
In this case, the duty might be split. Although your owner may take care of the problem in the empty apartment, you are still responsible for keeping your unit clean to keep the roaches from moving in.
When you are not sure what to do, always check your lease. It should spell out exactly what the owner and renter are responsible for when it comes to pest control.
A unified front against bugs can be built through good communication, effective problem-solving, and quick reports. This will ensure that everyone lives in a safe, healthy, and pest-free home.