Who is responsible for pest control when renting?

What should I do if I find pests in my rented property?

The first step is to inform your landlord. They will have to investigate, either by hiring a private pest controller, or by calling the local council’s pest control services.

Don’t just sit on it – pests can cause health problems, so solving it quickly is more important than worrying about responsibility.

Whose responsibility are the pests?

Written tenancy agreements usually have a clause which says that the landlord will keep the property in a “good and habitable state” or similar. This covers the general control of pests and vermin, and so your landlord would normally cover the costs of dealing with an infestation.

Could I be held responsible for an infestation?

Your landlord would not be responsible for a pest problem caused by something you did, or failed to do – for example, failing to tidy up rubbish. Also, landlords who provide furnished properties generally have higher levels of responsibility for pest control than unfurnished.

What if my home is made uninhabitable?

If your home is so bad that you cannot live there, or if there has to be disruptive work (eg. fumigation), then your landlord might be required to pay for temporarily rehoming you.

What if my landlord refuses to do anything?

If your landlord refuses to take responsibility or does not take steps to deal with the problem, you can call your local council’s environmental health department, who will investigate and can compel your landlord to take action.

If you need our number to give to your Landlord, it is: Pest.co.uk on 0800 234 3140