Is the Landlord Responsible for Pest Control in Central London?

No landlord wants to see signs of scratching or mouse droppings during a property inspection, or get a call from the tenants letting them know that they’re noticed a pest problem. But you may well find yourself in these common scenarios, particularly when you rent out a property in central London.

The Independent’s recent report on data analysis found that a quarter of the UK’s rat infestations were in London. But how should you go about treating the problem, and do landlords or tenants pay for pest control when the situation arises?

If you are finding it challenging to prevent pests in one of Pimlico’s period terraces, or the tenants of your Edgware Road apartment have attracted pests into the home, read on. In this article, we answer your common questions about when the landlord is liable for pest control and when it falls to the tenant to put things right.

Is a landlord responsible for pest control?

Private landlords are responsible for dealing with pest control in their rental property as part of their duty to keep the property safe to live in, but there are exceptions. The tenants are responsible for paying if the infestation is due to their own actions, for example, attracting pests by leaving overflowing bins in the kitchen.

What qualifies as a pest infestation?

A pest infestation is defined as a large number of vermin affecting the property. In central London, these tend to be rats, mice or the dreaded bed bugs.

What are a landlord’s responsibilities for pest control?

If the landlord doesn’t maintain the property, they are liable for pest control costs. Even if the tenants have caused the problem, the landlord may arrange pest control and recoup the costs.

• Maintaining the structure (e.g. avoiding cracks in walls)
• Ensuring pipes, drains and grates are undamaged
• Adequate ventilation
• Providing appropriate bins and waste collections
• Notifying tenants in writing if they discover pest problems
• Arranging professional pest control services (the cost can be passed on to the tenant if they caused the infestation)

What are a tenant’s responsibilities for pest control?

Generally, it’s the tenant’s responsibility to prevent pests by keeping the property clean. If they discover an infestation, they have a duty to notify the landlord to action can be taken. Generally, a tenant’s pest control responsibilities include:

• Putting waste in the bin
• Disposing of waste correctly
• Keeping the property clean and hygienic
• Giving the landlord written notification on discovering a pest infestation
• Allowing access to contractors the landlord engages to fix the problem
• Paying for pest control for infestations they have caused

Is there a time limit for removing pests from the property?

There is not currently a fixed time limit for removing pests from a rented property. If the tenant reports a pest problem, landlords should cover pest control quickly, particularly if it’s severe. The problem could get worse over time. However, once Awaab’s Law comes into effect for the private sector, private landlords will need to take action on hazards and health risks within fixed timeframes.

When might the local council get involved to control pest infestations?

Rental properties should be free of health hazards including pests and the local authority can take action if they aren’t. Specifically, if the pest infestation is deemed a category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) then the local council or Environmental Health team can inspect the property, take enforcement action and commence treatment works.

How should I handle pests in rental property?

If you or your tenants find pests in your private rental property, health and safety is the top priority and you must arrange treatment. These are the steps you should follow for dealing with infestations.

1. Call in a professional pest control company to identify the root cause of the pest infestation.
2. Ask for a written report for your records, in case of conflict with your tenants or an investigation by the local council.
3. Does the landlord or tenant pay for pest control? If the tenants’ actions unquestionably caused the pest problem, you can recoup the costs of pest control from them.
4. Where the problem was due to problems with the fabric of the building or lack of maintenance (e.g. cracks in the walls) then take preventative action to avoid a repeat performance.
5. Monitor the property in case pests return.

If you have concerns about property maintenance or how to cover pest control responsibilities as a landlord, then perhaps Intra-Capital Estates can help. We offer services to landlords renting out properties in Victoria, Soho, St John’s Wood and the surrounding areas.