Single Family Home Landlord responsibility for fire ants (renters, house)

[XLadylawX]

I just received an email from my tenant stating the following:

"We are having a major fire ant problem inside and out. Wanted to check with you if this is something you take care of or I do."

Under the terms of our lease, Tenant is to maintain the yard including "(b) controlling pests in the yard."

Despite the terms of our lease agreement, can my City Data friends share with me their views and observations about my (OWNER) responsiblities?

Thank you in advance for your friendly advice.

[woodinvilleguy]

It sounds like it is the Tenants responsibilities. But in order to maintain your property and keep the tenants happy, it might be worth to have the yard sprayed for fire ants, I don't think it costs much and you can write that cost off. For things like this I do to keep my tenants happy and they have stayed in our rental for 4 years now.

For long term, Ortho makes a granule you can use in a lawn spreader that is inexpensive and seems to do a decent job. Short term get out there with a bag of andro and spot treat the mounds. Cheap and easy.

Inside? I haven't heard of an issue with fire ants inside.

[atxcio]

I'd probably check out the "fire ants inside" claim. That rarely happens. If it's fire ants outside, and they maintain the yard, suggest that they might try some fire any control (next time they go to home depot or lowes).

But as a landlord, I'd want the indoor ants checked out. If they are the raspberry ants or carpenter ants you definitely want to take care of that because the damage they could do is significant.

I have a pest control contract with ABC for each of my rentals. They have been fantastic. It costs maybe $150 per quarter, they schedule the spraying with the tenants, and the tenants (or myself) can call them any time for a retreat if there is a specific problem. Since I've started using them 6 years ago, I haven't had a single pest complaint from my tenants.

[Idlewile]

If ants are inside (any kind of ants) I would assume that's the landlord's responsibility.

We currently have an issue with various types of ants inside and outside our home and our home is impeccably cared for. Now living with the ant issue, and imagining if I were a tenant in this house and renting, I would want it addressed by the owner asap.

[Komeht]

We cannot answer your question directly since you have not provided the lease agreement. Under the single term you provided, it would seem outside pests are tenant's responsibility.

Regardless of whether indoor pests are tenant's or landlord's responsibility I would think its be in the landlords best interest to properly maintain this and also, having fire ants inside would raise questions, in my mind, of fitness for habitability.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Idlewile

If ants are inside (any kind of ants) I would assume that's the landlord's responsibility.

That is a rash assumption when the lease specifically says it is the tenant's responsibility. Many leases make all pest control the tenant's responsibility.

If the property was free of pests when the tenant's moved in, then there is a good chance the tenant is responsible for bringing the pests into the house or attracting them with their living conditions.

As a landlord I have been providing the pest control services if the property needs it, simply because I want to protect my property. But if the tenant keeps the house in a dirty condition that will attract pests inside, I'm not going to renew the lease with them.

[Idlewile]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

That is a rash assumption when the lease specifically says it is the tenant's responsibility. Many leases make all pest control the tenant's responsibility.

This is not what the OP said; OP only mentions the lease refers to pests in the yard, not inside.

[Trainwreck20]

Fire ants and nuisance pests should be the renters responsibility; damaging pests (i.e. termites) should be the landlord's responsibility, I would think.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Idlewile

This is not what the OP said; OP only mentions the lease refers to pests in the yard, not inside.

But that is not what you wrote. I was responding to your comment.

Originally Posted by Idlewile

If ants are inside (any kind of ants) I would assume that's the landlord's responsibility.

That is a rash assumption and often incorrect.

[Idlewile]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

That is a rash assumption when the lease specifically says it is the tenant's responsibility.

She did NOT say her lease details that it is the tenants' responsibility to handle inside pest control. She said her lease details tenant responsibility for pests in the yard. As such, that is what I respond to.

Originally Posted by CptnRn

That is a rash assumption and often incorrect.

The OP specifically asked for our 'views, observations and advice'. My response is simply MY VIEW in relation to the information she provided, including no mention of any lease provision for tenants handling pests inside the home.