- March 26, 2022
- 145
- Calibugs
What would you do with 5 billion dollars? We are sure you wouldn’t want to spend it repairing damage from termites. The sad fact is, that is exactly how much US residents pay each year fixing damage termites cause in their homes. The costs can be even more than an average homeowner if you are a landlord.
Are landlords responsible for termites?
One of the main duties of a landlord is to provide a living space to the tenant. If the tenant believes that the house isn’t suitable for their needs, they may be able to terminate their agreement with the landlord with no charges. In certain situations, the landlord might have to cover the tenant’s temporary housing needs until repairs are made.
The problem remains…
Do you want to live in a place that has termites?
No. Although you may be able to accept carpenter or termites for a short period of time, however, they will eventually destroy foundational beams as well as other components of your home, rendering it uninhabitable. The liability of other pests could be determined by local laws, which is why we advise you to study the regular pest control practices in rental properties for more details. In most areas, the law is usually based on the landlord for the purpose of fixing damages and performing the required inspections in order to ensure that termites are kept out of the house.
In the remaining portion of this article, we’ll continue to talk about how landlords and tenants can shield themselves from the ravages of termites.
How can you protect yourself from termites when you are Renter
Before you sign your lease, make sure you’ve read the terms.
Most of the time the landlord is likely to be concerned about termites. However, when you sign your lease be sure you look for any clause that talks about pest control. If there’s any mention of termites or other pest control options, talk to your landlord about adding something to the lease. A written document prior to the onset of a termite problem can not just save you money, but also let you get free of your lease without charges.
After you move into your new home, take an extensive walk-through and check for evidence of damage from termites. Make sure you ask the owner when the last termite inspection or regular pest control services were performed.
If you are living in a house or apartment, you should try to keep the place clean and maintain your home as often as you can. This will not only help keep you on the good side of the landlord, but it also will also eliminate the possibility that you were the reason. If the landlord is able to prove that you caused the termites you could be held responsible. One of the main factors that attract termites is to put firewood piles near the home.
But what happens if you don’t take the time to do this and then you get into termites when you live there? The first thing you need to do is to make sure to notify your landlord as soon as you notice. If termites are discovered and they are found, they could become an infestation in a short time. As you might accuse your landlord of failing to fulfill his obligations and obligations, they could cause the same thing to happen if you fail to inform them. The majority of landlords deal with the issue quickly in order to avoid any further damage. If they don’t, it’s important to provide written notice in the event that the landlord attempts to divide the cost of damages with them. Here’s an article about the best way to identify termite and identify the signs.
How can you safeguard yourself from termites when you are a landlord?
Contact a Termite Exterminator
If you’re looking at this post because your tenant has called to inform you that they have termites and you need to contact a professional exterminator right away. Professional is the word here. Pest control companies aren’t able to manage termites and a mistake could cost damage in the thousands. Many landlords are inclined to tackle other pests using DIY solutions or remedies However, termites aren’t something you should attempt on your own since a small swarm could quickly grow into an entire infestation.
Check your insurance
Many homeowners think it’s included in their homeowner’s insurance but, in actual fact, it is not covered unless you’ve included it in your basic plan. It is important to know that renters’ and homeowners’ insurance can differ depending on the location you live in.
Conduct a termite inspection
In some regions, there are certain areas where this is required for purchasing a house. If you’ve owned the property for some time you might consider getting it checked out each and every once in a while. This is considered due diligence and will give you, and renters peace of head before signing an agreement. It is possible to add termite barriers or baits for termites in the event of doing this. Termite barriers will depend on the degree of termites that are to your region.
Examine your lease contract
One of the biggest expenses is to pay tenants to move to a temporary residence when you must make repairs when the house is considered not habitable. However, local laws may have restrictions. It is recommended to include an explicit clause on termites in your contract, and set clearly defined expectations prior to when an incident happens to ensure both the parties. Particularly, if you include something regarding the time frame they must have to be notified about the damage. Termites can be swift and in just several days could mean an enormous difference in thousands of dollars in repairs.
In addition to what happens in case of a termite problem, You should also consider items in your agreement that might draw termites, such as not storing firewood close to your home.
Make sure to inspect the property frequently
However, renters must inform them if they notice anything, it’s not their property and they might not recognize the indications of termites as you are. Regular inspections allow either you or a pest control professional the chance to check the property and spot any issues they may overlook.
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