Greater Baltimore Property Management Blog

Pests & Property Management: Who's Responsible?

Pests can cause issues year-round, affecting property. Owners often think pest control is solely the tenant's problem. Maintaining a safe and habitable rental property is essential for landlords. Here's why:

1. Health and Safety: Pests like rodents can spread diseases and harm tenant health. Address pest issues promptly with professional help.

2. Property Damage: Termites, rodents, roaches, and ants can quickly damage your property. Act fast when you notice a problem to prevent extensive damage.

3. Tenant Satisfaction: A pest-free environment is the expectation of tenants. Neglecting pest control can lead to complaints and negative online reviews.

4. Lower Turnover: Pests drive tenants away. Failing to deal with the issue can result in frequent turnovers and ongoing pest problems.

However, owners should take it seriously to minimize property liability.

Tenant's responsibility:

For common pests like ants, mice, roaches, and spiders, tenants can help by maintaining basic hygiene:

• Maintain cleanliness within the property, preventing food waste that might lure pests.

• Remove pet food that attracts pests. If your pets have fleas, address the issue and consider preventive measures.

• Keep garbage areas clean. Dispose of trash regularly and store it in tightly sealed outdoor containers.

• Promptly inform your landlord if you discover or suspect pest activity.

• Report any visible openings or exterior damage that could allow pests to enter the home.

• Exercise care to avoid introducing pests from locations you've been to.

Owner's responsibility:

For rats, owners must act promptly. It's the owner's responsibility as per Baltimore's code. Neglecting this can result in fines or settlements, and importantly, it causes liability to property. 

Best Practices for Property Owners

Here's how property owners can handle pest control effectively:

1. Regular Pest Control: Consider quarterly or semi-annual pest control to prevent major infestations.

2. Address Problem Areas: Fix areas that attract pests, like standing water for mosquitoes.

3. Professional Pest Control: When in need, listen to property management professionals and use professional pest control services.

4. Cost vs. Risk: Weigh the costs of pest control services against losing good tenants or facing legal problems.

See the attached link for our recommendations for tenant and owner responsibility as per the sort of the house.

Coming Soon: The Resident Benefit Package!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative that will enhance the living experience for both you and your tenants. Introducing the Resident Benefit Package!

It is designed to elevate your tenant’s living experience to create a competitive advantage for property owners. Offering these benefits to residents will improve tenant satisfaction and retention, while also making your property more appealing to prospective residents. A win-win for everyone involved.

Stay tuned for more details. Your property's success is our priority!

Owner Benefit Package Minimize Your Exposure... and Headaches: When a tenant defaults on the rent, it can take months to regain your property and get another tenant in place. Meanwhile, you're continuing to make mortgage payments and incurring additional expenses on the property, all the while losing rental income. Enter the Owner Benefit Package. Keep Reading

PropertyWize Realty | Invest Secured By Real Estate We buy houses using private investors as our banks and share the profits with them. Our private investors get a fixed return on a note and mortgage secured by real estate. They can use funds from savings or even retirement accounts (IRA’s, 401(k), etc).

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