understand how to talk to your tenant when you have pest control issue in Vancouver

Do Tenants Have to Pay for Pest Control in BC?

If you have recently discovered the presence of pests in your house or apartment, you may be dealing with a great degree of distress. Not only is it unpleasant to suddenly be sharing your home with uninvited guests, but it may also bring up concerns about how much it will cost to eradicate your home from these pests. But are you responsible for these costs if you are simply a tenant?

In British Columbia, for the most part, pest control is the responsibility of the landlord. However, there will be some exceptions to this. Allow us to explain:

 

What Counts as Pest Issues?

When we say “pest issues”, there are actually a few different types of pests that we could be talking about. The most common pests to cause an infestation in a dwelling in BC include rodents (such as mice or rats), cockroaches, silverfish, and bed bugs. While these infestations can vary in their severity, it should be noted that any level of pests has the potential to be damaging to human health and should as such be dealt with immediately.

How Can A Tenant Tell If A Dwelling Has Pest Issues?

If you are dealing with some kind of pest issue, there may be many ways to know. Of course, the most obvious sign will be if you spot the pest with your own eyes, but because many types of vermin tend to be nocturnal this is not always a given.

 

The signs of infestation may be much less subtle. For example, with bed bugs, the average individual may not react to the bites with an allergic reaction and will never develop the telltale bite marks. As bed bugs are quite minuscule, it may also be hard to see a bed itself. Instead, the most likely sign that you will have is black and brown splotches near the corners of your mattress. A tenant can regularly check up on the state of their mattress if they are worried about the chance of a bed bug infestation.

 

When Does the Landlord Have to Pay For Pest Control?

In almost all pest control cases, eradication will be the responsibility of the landlord. The reason for this is because the landlord is obligated by the law to keep their dwellings in safe, liveable conditions, which includes the absence of any kind of pests.

 

When Does the Tenant Have to Pay For Pest Control?

Although pest control will almost always fall into the lap of the landlord, if the landlord can prove that the behaviour of the tenant is contributing to the infestation, they may be able to hold the tenant responsible for the cost of the extermination. However, in order to prove responsibility, the landlord will have to keep solid documentation that includes photos of the improper care of the dwelling.

 

Should a Lease in British Columbia Mention Pest Control?

When you are drafting up a lease agreement for your rental property in British Columbia, it is always a good idea to include some wording about pest control responsibility. In some cases, a landlord may choose to include a section about how the dwelling is being delivered in good condition, and that if this changes due to the behaviour of the tenant will be responsible for its rectification.

Pest Removal Services in British Columbia

As pest removal specialists, we at Atlas Pests understand that dealing with the eradication of unwanted guests can be stressful. We are here to ensure that you and your tenants both get to enjoy the freedom of a pest-free life. Contact us for a quote today!