How to Rent a Pest-Free Home to Your Tenants

By Raymond Web

All landlords are expected to provide habitable and sound homes to their tenants, including providing a pest-free home.

You should do a pest and termite inspection before renting out any property you own.

Let’s look at some things you should know about pest control.

• Hire Professional Pest Control Experts: First and foremost, hire a pest-control company to make certain there are no pests on the property. The pest-control company will inspect the property and take the necessary measures to exterminate any pests. Doing this will guarantee that you are renting out a pest-free house to the tenants.
• Seal Entry Points: Cracks and crevices are favorite entry spots for pests. Therefore, seal all visible cracks and entry points around the exterior and interior of the property. This includes checking the building’s foundation and looking for gaps in the doors, windows, vents, and pipes. Seal up entry points in common areas, crawl spaces, and attics. Do a termite home inspection to ensure there are no termites.

It might take time to seal up everything, but it will save you a lot of money and trouble in the future and have a pest-free home for your tenants.

• Keep Common Areas Clean: Pests usually stick around where food waste is present. They are also attracted to trash and debris as their hiding places. Make sure your tenants know this, and require that common areas be kept clean and free from trash. Sweeping and vacuuming regularly is a must inside all residences.
• Keep Trash Bins: Trash bins help residents dispose of trash safely and properly. Make sure your bins are sturdy and have the lids on. There shouldn’t be any holes through which pests can enter. You need enough bins for all the tenants you serve; and they should be placed away from actual residences, because the small of garbage can attract pests.
• Contact Tenants if You Notice a Problem: Visit your property regularly to inspect it for pest infestation. If you find any signs that could potentially lead to a pest infestation, contact your tenants immediately. For instance, if you see garbage accumulating, get in touch with the tenants. Inform them of proper disposal techniques and remind them that keeping the property clean will keep the pests away.

3 Ways to Educate Your Tenants About Pest Infestations 

1. Communicate. If you know which pests commonly attack the property, educate the tenants about the same. For example, if bed bugs and rodents frequently attack the property, inform residents as to how they can handle such infestations, and when to call the pest-control company.

2. Give Property Maintenance Tips. Inform the tenants of the following maintenance tips:

• Sweep hardwood floors once a week. Termites may attack the wood flooring if it is not maintained properly.
• Clean air-conditioning filters and window units to keep them free of dust.
• Keep the plumbing throughout the house in good order.
• Remove the trash and debris from the premises regularly.
• Ask residents to pay extra attention during the winter. Pests might enter the house to stay warm and end up damaging your property. The tenants must take winter pest control

3. Encourage Residents to Inform You Quickly About a Pest Infestation

If you receive a complaint of pests, address it as quickly as possible. It won’t just keep the tenants happy, it also will keep the property protected from damage or further infestations. Quick action will prove cheaper in the long run.

Make sure that you give a pest-free home to the tenants and help them maintain the property. Call a residential pest control whenever required to exterminate pests.

About the author:

Raymond Web educates people on pest prevention and control strategies, helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. As the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, CA, he has an in-depth understanding of the issues.

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