There are many responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. Many of these are spelled out in the rental contracts that are signed when a person rents an apartment or home. One thing that both must be willing to take part in is pest prevention and management.
Unfortunately, the close proximity of dwellings in the city often means that pests can quickly spread from one home to another. This means that prompt attention when pests are found in a rental is imperative.
In many cases, preventing pests from coming into the units negates the need for harsh pesticides.
Who can apply pesticides in rental units?
In New York, only people who are certified applicators can use pesticides within rental units unless they are the person renting the unit. It doesn’t matter if the chemical is one that’s readily available, a landlord can’t apply it within the unit unless they become certified. The tenants can use general use pesticides in their own dwelling, but anyone who uses those kinds of chemicals in common areas must be certified. This is important to know, especially because some tenants may be worried about toxic chemical exposure.
Because of the dangers associated with many pest control chemicals, landlords must ensure that they’re following the proper procedures for pest management. State laws dictate who can apply these chemicals in specific areas, such as rental properties. Whether you’re a landlord who’s dealing with a tenant who refuses to follow pest prevention measures or a tenant who has a landlord who refuses to get rid of pests, you may opt to take legal action.
