When it comes to keeping properties in pristine shape and tenants satisfied, property managers have a lot of plates to keep spinning. On any given day, a PM may deal with several projects simultaneously, including plumbing, landscaping, maintenance, or structural improvements.
Yet, the presence of even a single mouse or cockroach might annoy tenants, leading to property managers having to drop all other work to address the pest problem. The solution? A regular-scheduled property pest control program.
How Do Property Managers Work?
When renting out their portfolio of owned properties, many landlords hire property management companies to get the job done—a common practice in the real estate industry. These PMs take over the administrative chores in exchange for a certain proportion of the monthly rent payment.
Apart from reviewing legal paperwork, property managers are responsible for ensuring that all maintenance issues are dealt with under the tenancy agreement, including pest control.
A tenancy agreement, also known as a rental agreement, is a contract typically written and held between the property owner and a renter who desires temporary possession. Simply put, this agreement details everything the landlord and the tenant have agreed upon concerning the tenancy. However, it differs from a lease since it is typically for a fixed term.
Benefits of a Regularly-Scheduled Property Pest Control Program
Whether the property in question is for commercial or residential use, landlords and property management companies have a moral and legal obligation to ensure it is maintained in a way that makes it fit for its intended use.
Believe it or not, a routine property pest management plan can mean better efficiency, fewer dropped projects, and satisfied tenants.
Here’s how:
- Regular inspections help identify dangerous pests that the human eye may not notice.
- Professionals can help spot conditions conducive to pest activity, or that may attract pests.
- They often take prompt action to eliminate infestations and stave off complications.
- Regular visits can free property managers to focus on more important things.
- This shows prospective tenants the reassurance that their health and safety matter.
Ineffective pest control may result in unsatisfied tenants and the possibility of legal action if someone sustains an injury or becomes sick (Alzheimer’s, Zika Virus, Lyme Disease, or Rabies) due to coming into direct contact with an infestation or the droppings of those creatures leave behind.
A wide variety of animals, including birds and rats, may potentially cause severe damage to personal property when constructing their nests or attempting to enter portions of the structure. This leaves more ground for the possibility of legal action being taken against the property owner and manager.
Best Strategies for Pest Control
Every method of approach to pest control may vary; however, the best strategies are:
The Reactive Strategy: Waiting until an infestation has occurred. It is important to remember that pests have a high level of intelligence; they keep a low profile and avoid being discovered. Even before you see them, it’s likely that significant harm has already been done. Sometimes, the damage might be so severe that it cannot be fixed in any way. At this point, renters will no longer be interested in staying in that property. For that reason, a reactive strategy is not advisable.
The Preventive Strategy: In this situation, property managers do not wait until the pest infestation has already occurred; instead, they implement preventative procedures that are often all-encompassing and anticipatory in nature. First things first, hire a professional pest control service to take a comprehensive look at the issue and investigate its potential causes. This may also cover investigating the behaviors of tenants that put the rental property at risk.
Preventive Measures
Ready to prevent pests from causing issues in your rental properties? Here are some standard ways to practice pest control at your facility:
- Perform routine cleaning and survey the property from the roof to the basement floor.
- Dispose of garbage properly in a garbage bag with a tightly closed lid.
- Keep basements or crawl spaces well ventilated and free from moisture.
- Seal and close off any cracks or holes to eliminate the possibility of critters getting in from the outside.
- Replace weather-stripping and lose mortar around windows and doors.
Important Procedures
Most rental contracts include a part that addresses the tenant’s obligations in terms of pest management, and this section will typically be titled “Pest Control.” Tenants are often expected to ensure that any problems connected to pest infestations are notified to the property management company as soon as they become aware of them after moving into a new rental home.
If the renter fails to do so and an infestation causes damage to the property, they may be held financially responsible for the repairs. However, it is important to remember that certain managed properties are landmark structures or institutions, neither of which require a conventional on-site tenant for problems to be reported. When this occurs, it will be the property manager’s duty to guarantee that the properties are patrolled and inspected regularly for pest control problems.
In either scenario, once a problem has been identified, appropriate action must be taken to resolve it as quickly and thoroughly as possible. According to these Phoenix property managers, they may need to handle the situation independently, but doing so is not a good idea. Creatures considered a nuisance may be risky and difficult to eliminate, and there is no one approach that is appropriate for all situations.
One Less Worry For You
At the end of the day, the health and safety of tenants are the top priority for both property owners and managers. As a property management company in Jackson, Brandon, Madison, Ridgeland, Pearl, Clinton, or Flowood area, it’s your responsibility to prevent naturally occurring pest infestations and keep them away from the property. Scheduling visits from a reputable, reliable partner like Synergy² Pest Control Service Company can mean one less project to juggle.