Cottage tenancy - Possible rat problem

[Oliveau]

The tenant of my let property has reported that they have “A possible rat problem.”
Nothing in the house and no signs of entry. The managing agent has called in a pest controller who has invoiced £70.
If there are no rats in the house is this a tenant’s issue or a landlord issue?
My feelings are that it’s not my problem.

 

[toquark]

If there was nothing in the house and no signs of entry what made them think they had a problem?

 

[farenheit]

Depends how desperate you are to lose a tenant over £70? Maybe just say you'll pay but tell them that in future you must kindly insist that you are informed before the pest controller is phoned?

 

[tullah]

£70 is nothing for a rat problem

 

[Dry Rot]

Shouldn't it have been the agent who informs the owner before spending his money? I suppose there are details of the agent/owner relationship somewhere? Tenant reports a problem (real or imaginary), then agent/owner decide?

 

[David1968]

The tenant of my let property has reported that they have “A possible rat problem.”
Nothing in the house and no signs of entry. The managing agent has called in a pest controller who has invoiced £70.
If there are no rats in the house is this a tenant’s issue or a landlord issue?
My feelings are that it’s not my problem.

If it's a good tenant you want to keep, pay the £70. But rap the agents knuckles for not consulting you first.

 

[Dman2]

Shouldn't it have been the agent who informs the owner before spending his money? I suppose there are details of the agent/owner relationship somewhere? Tenant reports a problem (real or imaginary), then agent/owner decide?

Think usually an agent can spend up to certain amount before contacting owner
Our was £100 when we had rental property

 

[Oliveau]

If there was nothing in the house and no signs of entry what made them think they had a problem?

I think they may have seen a rat in the garden. The cottage is in the middle of a village, nowhere near farm buildings.

 

[Still Farming]

2 legged rats you want to watch too?

 

[puppet]

You are never more than 20 yards from a rat. I wouldn't quibble if it keeps it vermin free for £70 as makes it easier to let again

 

[Bob c]

is there a grain store next door
there is a old grain store which has a problem with rats

 

[Dry Rot]

Found a rat in the grain bin this morning. The bin is a 45 gallon drum which was half full. If I'd had my wits about me, I would have videoed the German shepherd trying to get into the barrel -- head first and almost standing on his head! I finally took pity on him and tipped the barrel. Over in a second. I wonder if that was "an accepted method of humane slaughter'?

 

[Zippy768]

Found a rat in the grain bin this morning. The bin is a 45 gallon drum which was half full. If I'd had my wits about me, I would have videoed the German shepherd trying to get into the barrel -- head first and almost standing on his head! I finally took pity on him and tipped the barrel. Over in a second. I wonder if that was "an accepted method of humane slaughter'?

And how did you dispose of the rat corpse?...... RT got their eyes on u

 

[Andy12345]

And how did you dispose of the rat corpse?...... RT got their eyes on u

Apparently the septic tank is a means of disposal !

 

[steveR]

And how did you dispose of the rat corpse?...... RT got their eyes on u

Buzzard food.... and drug free too...

 

[Dry Rot]

And how did you dispose of the rat corpse?...... RT got their eyes on u

The GSDs know how to do that. I suspect burglars go the same way!

 

[Michael S]

Depends on your tenancy agreement. I'm pretty sure ours says pest control is the tenant's responsibility. But if they are a good tenant it may be £70 well spent?

 

[som farmer]

we use rentokil, rarely see a rat.

court case, a few years back, not here, where the judge ruled, in favour of tenant, saying, 'the owner knew he had a rodent problem, because he had a rentokil contract

sometimes, you just cannot win.

 

[Billboy1]

one of ours had a bird feeder near the house if you want to attract rats thats the way !

 

[matthew]

One of my holiday guests contacted me to ask ‘did we have a rat problem’?

She had found a corpse on the doorstep.

”My reply, that the rat had no problems, he was dead“ was not well received. And the organic pest control cat, had a severe talking to.