Act Quickly
There are two reasons you must act immediately when a tenant complains about pests.
- Keep the Tenant Happy– If a tenant sees an unwanted creature in their unit, they expect the issue to be addressed immediately. Telling a tenant who has a newborn baby that you will be there in a week to address their cockroach problem is not reassuring. Happy tenants are more likely to renew their lease, so it is in your best interest to address their concerns immediately.
- Protect the Property– If a tenant sees a rodent or insect, odds are, there is more than one in the property. They breed very quickly, so a small problem can become a large one very suddenly. Eradicating a small issue is much easier than dealing with an entire infestation. It is also much cheaper.
Contact All Tenants
If you have more than one tenant at the property, you will want to contact the other tenants to determine if they have also noticed a pest problem. The intention is not to alarm them if they have not noticed a problem, rather it is to help determine how widespread the problem is.
You do not have to ask them directly if they have seen a mouse, rat, cockroach, bed bug or any other type of creepy crawly creature. Rather, you can call them to say you are checking up to make sure everything is going smoothly. You can ask if they have any concerns or repairs that need to be addressed. If they have seen any bugs or rodents, they will most likely let you know.
Determine the Type of Pest
Before you can begin efforts to exterminate the pest, you must determine what type of pest is involved. A tenant may tell you they saw a rat, when in actuality it was just another tenant’s hamster that had gotten loose. Another tenant may describe seeing one ant on their countertop as a bug problem.
Different extermination methods are used on different types of rodents and insects, so it is important to get it right. Glue traps and rat poison are common ways to treat a rodent problem, while insecticides are commonly used on insects. Look for droppings, nests or signs of gnawing. You may be able to determine the type of pest yourself, or you may have to call in a specialist.
Determine Where They Are Coming From
Once you have determined the type of pest you are dealing with, you can next discover how they are getting into the unit or the property.
- Bed Bugs– In the early stages of a bed bug infestation, they will usually be confined to areas where they can easily feed on humans. In these cases, check in around and underneath beds, sofas and chairs first. In more widespread infestations, the bugs will hide in drapes, outlet covers and cracks and crevices in walls and furniture.
- Rodents and Insects– Rodents and insects usually enter a property through cracks or crevices. Mice need little more than a hole a quarter of an inch wide to enter a property. Insects can easily enter through drain pipes or outdoor vents. Check around the perimeter of the property for these cracks and crevices. Check inside the property, in any common areas. Finally, check in the actual unit to determine how they are getting directly into the unit. Most of these pests will only come out at night, so it can be hard to track them. You may need to hire an exterminator if you cannot easily find the point of entry.
Exterminate
Once you know the type of pest you are dealing with and hopefully where they are coming from, it is time to get rid of them. There are many different ways to exterminate rodents and insects. Some, such as glue traps, are relatively non-invasive, while others, such as bug bombing, require the tenant to leave the premises for a period of time. You can try do-it-yourself methods or you can hire an exterminator, it depends on your level of comfort. The most important thing is that you get rid of the pest and that you do not jeopardize the safety of your tenant in doing so.
Keep a Record
You should keep a record of all tenant pest complaints. This record should include, the date of the complaint, the type of complaint and the action you took to resolve the complaint. This record will help you provide proof if a tenant tries to say you did not address the pest complaint
By Erin Eberlin
Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.
The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.
- Tenant placement
- Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
- Regular property inspections
- Accounting and landlord bill payment
- Monthly financial reporting
- Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
- Collections
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- We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
- 24 hour emergency phone service
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Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!
Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.
