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AIBU?

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Original poster

Landlord won't pay for pest control??

149 replies

485bantuknots · 30/12/2021 13:30

On Christmas Eve I woke up during the night because I heard an unusual sound coming from the kitchen. I went to investigate and saw a squirrel in my kitchen😳 (still no clue as to how it got in the flat). Anyway I let my Landlord's agent know who are always super helpful. Because I sent the email during the Christmas period I hadn't received a response up until now.

One of the estate agent's have emailed saying that the Landlord has refused to pay for pest control to resolve the issue. They've said that they can send pest control out if I'm willing to pay for the service but unfortunately he won't be covering the costs.

I private rent and moved into the flat in the summer. I'm also pregnant and have a 8 month old DD and I explained that I had to pack my bags and stay with my mum for a few days. I'm not sure why/if the Landlord is just being stingy but I also have no clue why he's refusing to pay for pest control, it's his bloomin house!!

Can someone tell me if this is allowed and if so, how?!

OP posts:
Freshair87 · 30/12/2021 13:46

It depends what your rental contract says, mine states if the pest problem is not from my own causing the landlord is liable to pay

Hoardasurass · 30/12/2021 13:46

Leave a trail of peanuts out of the kitchen to a pile of them in the garden. If you leave the door open the squirrel will leave your house and then close the door.
It's honestly as easy as that to get them out of your house.
I have used this method many times, we've got loads of squirrels round here and there very tame/have no fear of people

LesLavandes · 30/12/2021 13:46

You need to check your lease.

If not covered, you should pest control in as, firstly, squirrels can cause a lot of damage (eating electric wires and so on) and your squirrel could be pregnant, making her nest. It happened to me!

Oceantide · 30/12/2021 13:47

If it genuinely is an infestation the landlord will probably pay as it will be in his interests that a squirrel doesn’t destroy the house. At this point it’s probably not clear if it’s an infestation or not though. If you don’t want to go near it why don’t you just leave the window or door open to outside and move into a different room? Sorry but you sound like a drama queen.

IDontKnow00 · 30/12/2021 13:47

if I had mice, could the Landlord just refuse to pay for pest control to come out?

If I had an infestation of any sort (which I don't think is the case with the squirrel), could the Landlord just refuse to pay for Pest Control?

In general, If you had an infestation that is caused by pests finding or creating an entry point into the property (which most are) then it is definitely your landlords responsibility to get pest control in and fix the issue that allowed the pests to appear in the first place. If an infestation occurs due to a tenant leaving a property in a filthy condition that attracts pests then the responsibility becomes more hazy, but I assume that doesn't apply to you anyway.

Mice are different to squirrels as there's rarely only one and they've probably made it into your home by squeezing through entry points that need to be repaired. Basically mice directly points to an infestation but as far as I know, a single squirrel doesn't. Keep an eye out though for any signs there is an infestation going on.

Whinge · 30/12/2021 13:47

@485bantuknots

Is anybody going to actually answer the question on whether the Landlord can refuse to pay for pest control in future if I was to ever have an infestation?
It will be different for everyone as it depends on your contract. Also a single squirrel is not an infestation.
ivykaty44 · 30/12/2021 13:48

Our local council charges tenants for pest control, its deemed as a tenant expenditure not the landlords cost.

MichelleScarn · 30/12/2021 13:48

The poor squirrel!!

CHEM20 · 30/12/2021 13:48

Here’s the relevant term from my lease.

Landlord won't pay for pest control??
CHEM20 · 30/12/2021 13:49

Hopefully you can see that once you zoom in.

This will be covered on your lease. You need to check yours.

KittenCatcher · 30/12/2021 13:50

if its still there it needs to be let out, it could have caused damage, could of made a nest, pooed and peed everywhere and looked for a food source. If you won't go back there then ask dd dad to let it out.

nellly · 30/12/2021 13:51

Pest control is usually in the tenancy agreement as the tenants problem. Check your tenancy agreement!

BelieveInRainbows · 30/12/2021 13:53

Is there anything in your rental agreement about pest control? Maybe clarify with the agent if not? My landlord takes care of pest control (has paid for removal of several wasp nests and a relocation of bees as my son's allergic) but I have no idea if this is a legal requirement or if it's just because he's happy to do so.

Slightly amused that you left the house because of a squirrel though. I have one that comes in to my kitchen regularly for a handful of nuts and then he's on his merry way again Grin

ChrimboGateauxCatto · 30/12/2021 13:54

You need to check you contract. If it isn't there specifically then it's down to you. We had a wasps nest in the garage and had to pay to have it sorted.

GlamorousHeifer · 30/12/2021 13:55

Seriously OP, one flipping squirrel? Just open a window and it would leave of its own accord.

As for who pays, perhaps read your tenancy agreement instead of getting shirty about it on here.

Original poster
485bantuknots · 30/12/2021 13:56

Thanks to all those who have said to check my tenancy, you think I would have done that beforehand🤦‍♀️ there's no mention of anything regarding pest control in my tenancy so still unsure on where I stand in the future.

Since I've been back from my mum's I've heard a strange clicking noise coming from behind the oven as well as the smell as gas sometimes (all very strange), so someone is coming out to investigate the gas smell. Maybe they'll be able to place the squirrel outside if it's still there and they see it

OP posts:
Georgeatemyhat · 30/12/2021 13:57

Our local authority offers a reduced fee pest control service for all residents, not just their own tenants, may be worth checking the council's website where you are? I think you will probably be responsible for paying unless your contract states otherwise. There are certain pests our council will treat free of charge (can't remember which think it's to do with public health hazards). Ours charged £40 per call out, private firms quoted over £100.

The pest control guy who treated our rat infestation said squirrels are often found hibernating in lofts and are the only thing he's afraid of as they're really vicious and can attack, so I really feel for you op, I'd freak out if I found one too.

Original poster
485bantuknots · 30/12/2021 13:57

@IDontKnow00

if I had mice, could the Landlord just refuse to pay for pest control to come out?

If I had an infestation of any sort (which I don't think is the case with the squirrel), could the Landlord just refuse to pay for Pest Control?

In general, If you had an infestation that is caused by pests finding or creating an entry point into the property (which most are) then it is definitely your landlords responsibility to get pest control in and fix the issue that allowed the pests to appear in the first place. If an infestation occurs due to a tenant leaving a property in a filthy condition that attracts pests then the responsibility becomes more hazy, but I assume that doesn't apply to you anyway.

Mice are different to squirrels as there's rarely only one and they've probably made it into your home by squeezing through entry points that need to be repaired. Basically mice directly points to an infestation but as far as I know, a single squirrel doesn't. Keep an eye out though for any signs there is an infestation going on.

Thank you for this @IDontKnow00
OP posts:
DragonDoor · 30/12/2021 13:58

All you would have needed to do was open a window or door for the squirrel to go out.

It’s not really a ‘pest control’ issue as such, so I can understand why the landlord wouldn’t pay for someone to go to your house.

thecatneuterer · 30/12/2021 13:59

Firstly poor squirrel. I hope it's ok and what an overreaction.

Secondly, to answer your other question, it depends. Many contracts specify that pest control is the tenants' problem. However where rentals are subject to licence conditions by a local authority, this will sometimes be overridden by the licence conditions, which say it is the LL's responsibility.

Personally I think, generally speaking, mice, rats, cockroaches at least should be the responsibility of the tenant as they are usually caused by the way the tenant lives. However that isn't always the case, and in any case rodent infestation can damage the LL's property, so really I can see both sides and am on the fence.

LethargicActress · 30/12/2021 14:00

Hang on, has the squirrel just been abandoned to live in the kitchen since Christmas Eve? Wtf?

No one can accurately answer your question OP because we haven’t seen your contract, but it doesn’t seem like a hypothetical future infestation is the actual problem here.

Original poster
485bantuknots · 30/12/2021 14:03

@Georgeatemyhat

Our local authority offers a reduced fee pest control service for all residents, not just their own tenants, may be worth checking the council's website where you are? I think you will probably be responsible for paying unless your contract states otherwise. There are certain pests our council will treat free of charge (can't remember which think it's to do with public health hazards). Ours charged £40 per call out, private firms quoted over £100.

The pest control guy who treated our rat infestation said squirrels are often found hibernating in lofts and are the only thing he's afraid of as they're really vicious and can attack, so I really feel for you op, I'd freak out if I found one too.

Thank you for this, I think the council offers the same thing where I live so I'll definitely have a look at the website. And honestly!!

I live in South West London in a flat and I've never lived somewhere with a garden. It does happen often but at the same time it's quite rare to see a squirrel chilling on your kitchen floor. Maybe some of you love rodents or you're able to keep a cool head when see something like this in the comfort of your own home, but I'm not one of them.
DDs dad would also be useless in getting a squirrel out. So sorry we're not all like you!

OP posts:
foxgoosefinch · 30/12/2021 14:03

What?!? Why didn’t you just let it out? They don’t normally come inside. I hope it hasn’t died in there! If you’d just opened a window and waited the thing would likely just have left of its own accord.

ThinWomansBrain · 30/12/2021 14:05

what would you do if a random neighbourhood cat wandered in to your kitchen?

to be fair, a friend once had a family of squirrels move into her loft - noisy little sods. She did have to locate a "squirrel man" - I think he was different to general pest control.

did see this the other day though www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59819349

Shelter may be a good place to enquire