Bed Bugs Found by Tenant. Who should Pay the Pest Control Company in This Case..?

[Nir]

Hi,
The tenant in a triplex called me earlier mentioning he has bed bugs. The tenant also mentioned he knows how the bed bugs got there - he went to visit a lady who had bed bugs and probably carried some in his cloth back to his unit. It should cost only around $500 to treat his unit and 2 other units (as it is a triplex all units should be treated). Unfortunately, I`m not sure he has the money to pay even if he had to. Still, I wanted to ask who should pay the pest control company in this case?
I, the tenant or maybe 50/50? THANKS.

 

[REINteam]

Hi there,

Not the best news in the world...but in ON, and most provinces, the landlord gets the bill. Here is the wording from Toronto Public Health http://www.toronto.ca/health/bedbugs/right...actsheet.htm#11 :

"Landlords are responsible for the costs for treatment. Landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order to charge a tenant (extra money above rent or key deposit) if a tenant causes them needless expense, such as missing an appointment to let a pest control operator into the unit. The tenant will have a chance to explain, and the Board will decide."

Even though your tenant brought them in you pay. It`s part of keeping the housing pest free. Get on it quick b/c the faster you deal with it the better - call in the pros. When you`re looking for a company make sure you get someone that has experience with bed bugs and ask them what each tenant should do before they come (clean up, declutter, etc). Most won`t offer a guarantee, but ask anyways.

I know it`s stinks, I`d at least expect 50/50, but that`s just not the case. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Ray Reuter
Real Estate Investment Network

 

[Nir]

Thank you Ray for the input.

I guess another option is just to negotiate such issues with the tenant directly... instead of involving authority when not critical.

Regards,
Neil

 

[REINteam]

Hi Neil,

In the eye of the law you pay. But yes, I suppose you could negotiate with your tenant, possibly a payment structure so you can recoup over time. In your situation it might be worth a shot, especially when your tenant has clearly stated he brought them in.

Regards,

Ray Reuter
Real Estate Investment Network

 

[Nir]

QUOTE (REINteam @ Aug 19 2009, 09:20 AM) Hi Neil,

In the eye of the law you pay. But yes, I suppose you could negotiate with your tenant, possibly a payment structure so you can recoup over time. In your situation it might be worth a shot, especially when your tenant has clearly stated he brought them in.

Regards,

Ray Reuter
Real Estate Investment Network

Exactly, he clearly stated that. good tenant, eh. however, I think I`ll still suggest to pay 50% so everyonre is happy. cheers, Neil

 

[RisingWealth]

QUOTE (REINteam @ Aug 18 2009, 03:05 PM) Hi there,

Not the best news in the world...but in ON, and most provinces, the landlord gets the bill. Here is the wording from Toronto Public Health http://www.toronto.ca/health/bedbugs/right...actsheet.htm#11 :

"Landlords are responsible for the costs for treatment. Landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order to charge a tenant (extra money above rent or key deposit) if a tenant causes them needless expense, such as missing an appointment to let a pest control operator into the unit. The tenant will have a chance to explain, and the Board will decide."

Even though your tenant brought them in you pay. It`s part of keeping the housing pest free. Get on it quick b/c the faster you deal with it the better - call in the pros. When you`re looking for a company make sure you get someone that has experience with bed bugs and ask them what each tenant should do before they come (clean up, declutter, etc). Most won`t offer a guarantee, but ask anyways.

I know it`s stinks, I`d at least expect 50/50, but that`s just not the case. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Ray Reuter
Real Estate Investment Network


Ray,

I have an empty suite in a building that is being fumigated for b-bugs and I would like to give my tenant some information on the critters and thought that during your presentation at a fall bc meeting you directed us toward a website or perhaps it was a handout that I`ve misplaced?
I`m trying to put together a procedure to help prevent problems.

Regards,
Mark

 

[REINteam]

Hi Mark,





I have tons and tons of info on bed bugs, so if you need more just let me know what you need specifically and odds are I have it. Hope this helps.



Ray Reuter

Real Estate Investment Network




QUOTE (RisingWealth @ Sep 2 2009, 04:00 PM)
Ray,



I have an empty suite in a building that is being fumigated for b-bugs and I would like to give my tenant some information on the critters and thought that during your presentation at a fall bc meeting you directed us toward a website or perhaps it was a handout that I've misplaced?

I'm trying to put together a procedure to help prevent problems.



Regards,

Mark