Social Landlord Service: Tenancy policy

13. Pest Infestation

1. 13.1. A range of pests can impact homes including issues linked to rats; mice; bed bugs; fleas; silverfish and other vermin. If a pest infestation occurs in a property, the Council acknowledges this can cause great distress for the tenants and their household. The Council's tenancy agreement is clear that treatment of a pest infestation is the responsibility of the tenant. However if the infestation occurs in the following circumstance, the Council will undertake treatment to support a resolution to the issue:
   • caused by a repair defect
   • in a communal area
   • identified from the commencement of tenancy
2. Treatment will also be undertaken by the Council after tenants have been undertaking treatment for 3 months with a pest controller without resolution to the infestation.
3. 13.2. If the cause of the infestation is not due to the issues outlined above, the tenant will be advised to instruct their own pest control treatment at their own cost. On an exceptional basis, at the Council's discretion, the Council will arrange a pest control contractor to carry out one treatment if a tenant has significant vulnerabilities Further treatments can be arranged with the costs being recharged to the tenant and paid back through an appropriate instalment plan.