Pests that are allowed to invade a rental property can do significant amounts of damage. Not only will they disrupt the lives of tenants, but they will also decrease the value of the property and likely cause damage to the structure. Pest infestations can even make a rental property uninhabitable, as they can cause significant health issues and create an unsafe environment. Here are some tips for keeping pests out of your rental property.
1. Educate Tenants
Landlords and tenants need to work together to effectively keep pests out of the rental property. To practice superior pest prevention, ensure that you educate your tenants about how to keep the property free of pests. Tenants need to properly store their food and regularly throw away their trash. The property must be kept clean and it is vital that they notify you when there are issues on the property that require changes to the structure.
2. Inspect Regularly
If you don’t inspect the building regularly, you may remain unaware of potential issues that may allow pests into the property. Inspecting regularly will help to protect your building.
3. Annual Maintenance
Maintenance is vital to keep any rental property in good condition. When the proper maintenance is undertaken, it is possible to fix any issues that may allow pets to enter the building.
4. Routine Extermination
Hiring an exterminator to provide routine services can help to minimize the likelihood of a pest infestation. This step is vital even if you have never seen a pest near the property, as it can discourage any invasions.
5. Seal Entry Points
Cracks or holes in walls may allow pests to enter more easily into your rental property. Sealing these entry points will make entry more difficult, which will discourage pest infestations.
6. Eliminate Standing Water
Standing water is extremely attractive for many pests, including cockroaches, rodents, and insects. If there is standing water present on your property, it is important to take the steps to remove it.
7. Keep Common Areas Clean
Common areas may attract pests if food or trash is allowed to build up in the area. Keeping these areas clean will minimize the likelihood of pest infestations.
8. Understand Responsibility
Understanding who is responsible for which aspect of pest prevention can help ensure that all of the processes are completed effectively. Landlords are generally responsible for repairing damage to the structure of the building that may allow pests to enter the property. Tenants are responsible for keeping the property clean and regularly taking out the trash.
9. Act on Potential Issues
Tenants have a responsibility to inform landlords regarding issues that may result in pest infestations. At this point, the responsibility will fall to the landlord to obtain the necessary repairs to fix these issues.
10. Provide Trash Cans with Lids
Trash cans need to be sealed properly to limit their appeal to pests. If a trash can doesn’t have a lid, the trash will simply serve as a beacon to pests. It is important to ensure that trash cans are in good condition and are able to be sealed properly. Pest prevention is necessary to protect your rental property. These tips can help you to keep your rental property free of pests. To learn more about pest prevention for your rental property, contact us at the Keyrenter in North Dallas today!