Pest Control News:
Landlord Tenant Agreements
I have to give credit where credit is due for this one. I have seen a few complaints about apartment and rental management avoiding or violating pest control laws; I did not know that pest control is one of the biggest complaints. I found this blog today by pure accident and it goes into detail on a disturbing trend that everyone should be aware of.
Landlord Pest Control Violations Rank Among Fastest Growing Consumer Complaints
A number of years ago there was a commercial on television about “the greedy landlord” which showed a heavy gut in a suit with a cigar, and wads of cash. He was laughing at the complaints against him. I never wanted to be a landlord; I have had my fair share of the greedy ones. There are shady landlords too; these guys have you sign a lease that isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. They make you think that you have a binding contract and they don’t even have a license to rent property. Then there is the do it yourselfer landlord, which may be the worst of all. These guys don’t care about code violations. They repair electric and plumbing themselves as they would on their own homes; and they provide their own brand of pest management.
Here’s the problem with that scenario. If you own your own home, there is no law that says you cannot purchase pest control chemicals and treat an area of your property yourself. The law is broken when landlords treat their tenant’s property without a license in pest control. They are not allowed to fix electrical problems or plumbing problems either and with good reason; it’s not their home and it is a violation of the health and safety codes.
When you are renting from a landlord or rental management company, it is your home. The landlord tenant agreement may say that you are responsible for pest control, or that may fall on management. You need to read your contract and find out which it is. They may hire a maintenance crew to do work but the owner is not permitted to do the work on the premises themselves. They must have receipts for the work that is performed. The tenant has every right to complain if the landlord does not comply with the agreement.
This report was in reference to bed bugs which are on the rise all over; but bed bugs are not the only pest that may affect multiple tenants. Cockroaches, ants and termites commonly affect more than one tenant in an apartment building or multi family dwelling. Your landlord must provide licensed pest management services that include your apartment. If they do not provide those services, you can check your agreement and call the management company. They may have missed your apartment because you were not home.
Termites in Phoenix are just one of the pests that should be controlled by professionals. Other pests that may get out of hand with do it yourselfers are bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, and ants. These insects are very prolific and some are resistant to over the counter methods of pest control such as fogs and sprays. Please contact your pest management professionals if you have any questions or concerns.
Scottsdale AZ –
Termite Control Arizona
6501 East Greenway Parkway #103
Scottsdale AZ
(480) 582-1085
