general pest control DURING a tenancy

We've had a bit of a ****roach problem in our rented house for some time now. (I've never rented a place that didn't have the odd ****y attack here and there. It's just how it is here!) However, it seems to be getting worse. There are babies everywhere, which enter through the drains. All drains. Even the dishwasher ewwwwwww.

Am I wrong to think the landlord should be responsible for general pest control during the course of our tenancy? We keep the place very clean and still the ****ies multiply. Being 5 weeks from my due date I want this sorted NOW. Our landlord has commented on how pleased he is with the way we keep his property, and we have been here for almost 18mths now with no pest control during that time.

We have agreed to carry out pest control when we vacate as we have a cat. But who is responsible during a long period of occupancy? I have googled this and found some information supporting my view, stating that general PC is part of maintaining a fit living environment and rests with the lessor so long as we have done nothing to cause the problem. I am still unsure though and would like to know my rights before I make a request.

We are in QLD. Any advice would be great.

Sorry can't help but also interested in the answer. Outdoor Wasp problem here :-(

I'm not sure. DH & I paid for pest control at one house we lived at as the issue was becoming disgusting and we figured it was more for us than anything else. The real estate didn't ask us to have the house pest controlled again when we left which was great.
At the last house we were at, the real estate arranged pest control after we had been there for a year. Apparently the pest control was done by the owner just before we moved in also. We didn't have to arrange for pest control to be done when we moved out.
We're about to arrange pest control on the house we're currently in as we're getting ants & spiders that are coming indoors (look like white tail/white tip spiders) and we're happy to pay for it.

When I was a landlord I paid for pest control. Once with my tenants it was spiders and I forget the other time. The real estate agent just rang me and asked for my approval to get it done. The real estate agent paid for it and deducted part of the rent before giving it to me.

We've always paid for it as landlords too.

Our landlord just paid for one on Thurs. Neither of us (semi-detached) requested it, so it must just get done every so often. We have been here 26 months. Also QLD. Just around the corner from the bowels of hell, as you once called it ;)

:o Seems we're getting ripped off. We've always been told that it is our duty as tenants :( No if buts or maybes, and we aren't dirty tenants, we have an excellent 'reputation'. Bugger it! Does the RTA have any info on it?

I'm interested too. We have major ant problem insure, think they've built in walls or roof. Would like to know who's responsibility.

It depends on the circumstances and the landlords. This is a real grey are under tenancy laws. Generally speaking however, the landlord in under no real obligation to provide pest control, particularly if you have pets and/or you have a pest clause in your tenancy agreement which stipulates you will fumigate when you leave. You can always ask them, and they may oblidge, or not. If you are getting it done yourself make sure you do your homework and go through a place that has a 6mth-1yr garauntee (they will redo for free if the problem reoccurrs within that period).

For our Investment Property here in Canberra, I would consider pestcontrol IF there was a serious ****roach problem: but only if there was genuine evidence of a serious problem. I would not consider doing it for spiders, as it would be a pointless expense (canberra has a serious spider problem everywhere and it is impossible to completely erraticate them).

As landlords we get called by the real estate saying there is pest problem, can they go ahead and organise a pest controller, which we then approve and pay for - well it's a disbursement for us. I would never refuse, a) for the comfort of the tennants, they pay rent in return for a property that is liveable and b) if it isn't kept under control then dependent on the type of pest it could do damage to the property.

I had trouble finding any definite answer on this one, it does seem to be a grey area. Although we have a kitty, it's not like that attracts ****roaches. (never has before) I'm quietly confident that our landlord is reasonable enough to do this as he's seen how immaculately we keep his property himself, and has also said he wants us to be happy here.

I think based on your responses, and the fact that he has said to me how much he values us as good tenants, he will oblige. He's gone as far as to give us his mobile number so we can bypass the property manager if we need anything.

I'll be sure to update this thread with his response.

I'd have thought the tennant paid for it. HMMM.

I'll have to read my contract. We have heaps of spiders absolutely everywhere - especially in the grass - which makes me not want to take DS out there to play, ****roaches (not so much, but they're there), flies that seem to be attracted to absolutely nothing and ants. OMG I can't stand ants!

We also have two cats, but they don't attract the insects.

DH's friend is a pest controller, and will come out and do a mates rates job for us.

Will def check the contract though