Page 17 - Tenant Maintenance Guide

11. PEST CONTROL

Before you move in

The landlord is responsible for the
eradication of pests if the infestation

occurs at the start of the tenancy

generally within the first 5 weeks.

Tenants should inspect the property
carefully and look out for signs of cleanliness, then you may not be held

pests including droppings in
responsible for pest eradication if you
cupboards and on floors.
can show the landlord is in breach of the

After you move in tenancy agreement.

If a tenant believes the infestation was
As a tenant, you are responsible for the
eradication of pests if the infestation not caused by their activities or lack of

occurs after you have moved in and if cleanliness, the tenant must show that:

the infestation was caused by your 1. The landlord is in breach of the tenancy

activities or lack of cleanliness.
agreement e.g. by not offering the

If you believe that the infestation was property in a clean and safe condition at

not caused by your activities or lack of the start of the tenancy, and
2. This breach caused the pest problem

Pests and vermin Landlord’ responsibility Tenant’s responsibility
Ants if present at the start of the tenancy if present during the tenancy

if present in a wall cavity or similar
Bees and wasps if present during the tenancy
if present at the start of the tenancy
Birds to remove and seal off any entry points -

Cockroaches, fleas and spiders if present at the start of the tenancy if present during the tenancy

Mice and rats if present at the start of the tenancy if present during the tenancy
Possums to remove and seal off any entry points -

if present at the start of the tenancy
if caused by the landlord breaching the
Snakes if present during the tenancy
conditions of the agreement – eg.landlord
left piles of rubbish in garden
Termites/white ants at the start and throughout the tenancy -
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