Do Landlords Pay For Pest Control?

When pests invade a home, it can be a costly expense. For tenants and landlords, it can be confusing to understand who is responsible for paying for pest control service.

In the United States, landlords are generally required to provide hospitable shelter to their landlords. This includes handling all pest issues as they occur. Types of pests like bed bugs and fleas are common in some regions of the US, among other property pest problems.

We’ve broken down each state’s laws about landlord responsibility for pest control. Note that these laws may change, so it’s essential to conduct followup research for your particular state.

Is Your Landlord Responsible for Paying for Pest Control in Your State?

Alabama: Yes

Alaska: No

Arizona: Yes (Only for apartment complexes and duplexes.)

Arkansas: No

California: Yes (California law deems the landlord responsible)

Colorado: Yes

Connecticut: Yes (But, the tenant can be sued if they do not follow an exterminator’s required actions.)

Delaware: Yes

Florida: Yes (And, if the tenant has to evacuate, the landlord must reduce their rent for the time being.)

Georgia: Yes

Hawaii: Unclear (No specific laws requiring landlords to pay.)

Idaho: Yes (And, must arrange for pest control within three days of receiving a complaint from the tenant.)

Illinois: Yes

Indiana: No (The property only has to be pest-free when the tenants move in.)

Iowa: Yes (And, tenants can end a rental agreement early if their landlord fails to act.)

Kansas: No

Kentucky: Yes

Louisiana: Unclear (The law requires both the tenant and the landlord to “upkeep” the property.)

Maine: Yes

Maryland: Yes and No. In single-occupancy homes, the landlord is required to provide a clean space at the time of move-in. After this, the tenant is responsible for any infestations. In multiple occupancy residences, such as apartments, the responsibility falls on the landlord.

Massachusetts: Yes (Only for properties of numerous occupancy units.)

Michigan: Yes

Minnesota: Yes (However, the landlord can force the tenant to get rid of furniture to ensure proper bug extermination, without having to replace it or pay for it. Additionally, the landlord doesn’t have to reduce the rent in the event the tenant needs to evacuate.)

Mississippi: Yes

Missouri: No

Montana: Yes

Nebraska: Yes

Nevada: Yes

New Hampshire: Yes

New Jersey: Yes (Unless you live in a single-family home or a duplex. An exception will be made if both units in the duplex are infested, transferring the responsibility back to the landlord.)

New Mexico: Yes

New York: Yes

North Carolina: Yes

North Dakota: Yes

Ohio: Yes (Some exceptions apply.)

Oklahoma: Yes

Oregon: Yes

Pennsylvania: Yes

Rhode Island: Yes and No (Tenants are responsible for single-family homes, while landlords are responsible for multi-housing units.)

South Carolina: Yes

South Dakota: Yes

Tennessee: Yes

Texas: Yes (Unless the tenant is behind on their rent.)

Utah: Yes

Vermont: Yes

Virginia: Yes

Washington: Yes

Washington, DC: Yes and No (The landlord is responsible in multi-unit buildings where at least two units have an infection.)

West Virginia: Yes

Wisconsin: Yes

Wyoming: No

Each state is different, but there are some common patterns to also keep in mind that applies to most states:

Some cities and councils will have additional bylaws to the state’s rules.

The tenant often has to cover the cost if the landlord can prove they are the cause of the infestation.

Usually, landlords are prohibited from renting out their place if there is a known infestation.

Many tenants can sue their landlords for failing to act or failing to act quickly enough.

States vary on whether the landlord has to reduce the rent in the event the tenant needs to move out during the extermination process.

Tenants usually have a time expectation (in days) on how quickly they must inform their landlord of pest infection. Similarly, most states have a deadline for how quickly the landlord must act before they are penalized.

If you want your security deposit back, make sure you have notified the landlord of the pest problem, and do your best to create a pest free environment before it requires professional pest control. In many cases, it is the tenant responsibility first, and the landlords responsibility second, but it varies from state to state as the law requires.

Pest Infestation

Be sure to address the problem right away, as pest issues can escalate rather quickly. If you have to hire an exterminator while your landlord is away, make sure you save the receipts and make a copy of it for your landlord to repay (if you are in a state where landlords pay for pest control.) You can opt to use your landlords pest control company of choice if they have a preference.

Real estate is a lot of upkeep, and pests like fleas, bed bugs, ticks, as well as other insects and rodents, are just another factor of this.

People who own rental properties often want to save as much money as possible, but if you’re dealing with a pest problem, then it’s only logical that the money they spend will go towards protecting their investment.

We hope you have gotten an answer to do landlords pay for pest control?

If you need pest control services, please call us today to connect with one of our premium pest control partners near you: 1-833-431-0401