Rental Pest Control: Who Pays for Exterminators and Treatments?

By John Devendorf, Esq. | Reviewed by Canaan Suitt, J.D. | Last updated on April 24, 2026

Renters may be accustomed to seeing the occasional pest in or around their rental property. Pest infestations, on the other hand, can threaten your health and safety. Landlords generally have a legal responsibility to ensure the premises are safe and fit for human habitation, and this includes addressing pest infestations. But tenants can also be responsible for causing a pet infestation.

Liability and pest control responsibilities for landlords and tenants can vary based on state and local housing laws and your individual lease. For more information about who pays for exterminators and pest control treatment, talk to a local landlord-tenant lawyer.

Do You Need Pest Control?

Whether you live in a major city or a more rural area, some pests are just part of living in the modern world. But landlords and renters should be aware of their shared responsibilities to keep a property clean and free from pests, rodents, and potential infestations.

Beyond being gross or unsightly, pests can pose health risks. Feces from animals like rats and mice may carry disease. Dust mites and cockroaches may trigger allergies and respiratory conditions. Roaches and rodents can transfer bacteria or viruses to areas where you eat. Bed bugs and fleas can cause itchy or painful bites.

Termites and rodents may also cause property damage to a rental unit. If you have evidence of a pest infestation, you should address the problem before it worsens.

In a Rental Dispute?

Whether you're a landlord or tenant, use the Super Lawyers directory to find a landlord-tenant lawyer who can answer your questions and defend your legal rights.

Find a lawyer today

Who Pays for Pest Control in a Rental Property?

Paying for pest control depends on who is responsible for maintaining the property. Landlord liability for pest control costs can depend on state and local tenant laws and your individual property rental agreement.

A rental contract may include a pest control clause specifying who is responsible for paying for professional pest control. Review your lease agreement to see if it includes any language regarding pest control issues.

State and local tenant laws may override a rental agreement, requiring landlords to provide a pest-free living environment. Landlord and tenant responsibility may fall under specific laws or statutes. In some states or under local housing codes, landlords are specifically required to inspect for bed bugs and other pests. It is important to talk to a local landlord-tenant attorney about the laws and landlord responsibility where you live.

Implied Warranty of Habitability

In most states, tenants are protected by the implied warranty of habitability, which requires that residential properties be safe, clean, and fit for habitation. A random mouse may not constitute a breach of the warranty of habitability, but a vermin infestation that affects health and safety does.

Landlords are generally responsible for keeping the rental property in a habitable condition. If the landlord does not properly dispose of trash and waste, allowing it to accumulate in a common area, the landlord is likely responsible for failing to maintain a habitable property. However, if the tenants do not take out the trash or clean their areas, they may be responsible for any pest infestations.

State Laws for Landlord Pest Control Responsibility

Landlord-tenant laws vary by state, and even by county or city. Large metropolitan areas generally have stricter landlord responsibility laws. The following chart provides an overview of landlord responsibility when it comes to pest control:

State	Landlord’s Responsibilities	State Laws
Alabama	Keep premises in a habitable condition and follow building and housing codes affecting health and safety.	Ala. Code § 35-9A-204
Alaska	Keep premises in a clean and safe condition and do whatever is necessary to keep premises in a fit and habitable condition.	Alaska Stat. § 34.03.100
Arizona	Keep premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1324
Arkansas	Limited implied warranty but pest control duties often fall under specific lease terms.	Ark. Code § 18-17-502
California	Keep all areas under the control of the landlord clean, sanitary, and free from rodents and vermin.	Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1
Colorado	Keep premises fit for human habitation, and not interfere with the tenant’s life, health, or safety.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-503
Connecticut	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-7
Delaware	Provide a dwelling unit that does not endanger the health or safety of the tenant and is fit for habitation and inspect for presence of bed bugs.	Del. Code Tit. 25, § 5305
Florida	For multi-unit rentals, take reasonable provisions for the extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms, and bedbugs.	Fla. Stat. § 83.51
Georgia	Landlord must keep the premises in repair.	Ga. Code § 44-7-13
Hawaii	Put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-42
Idaho	Maintain sanitary premises and not hazardous to the health and safety of the tenant.	Idaho Code § 6-320
Illinois	Maintain the property in a condition fit for human living.	765 ILCS 742
Indiana	Deliver the unit in a safe, clean, and habitable condition.	Ind. Code § 32-31-8-5
Iowa	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and keep common areas clean and safe.	Iowa Code § 562A.15
Kansas	Maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition and follow health and safety codes.	Kan. Stat. § 58-2553
Kentucky	Comply with applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety.	Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.595
Louisiana	Maintain premises suitable for living.	La. Civ. Code art. 2682
Maine	Maintain the premises in a state that is fit for human habitation.	Me. Rev. Stat. Tit. 14 § 6021
Maryland	Repair and eliminate conditions a serious threat to health and safety, including infestation of rodents.	Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211
Massachusetts	Responsible for extermination in multi-unit buildings and common areas.	105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.550
Michigan	Ensure premises are fit for the use intended and kept in reasonable repair.	Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.139
Minnesota	Keep the premises fit for the intended use and in reasonable repair.	Minn. Stat. § 504B.161
Mississippi	Maintain the premises in a condition fit for human habitation and comply with health and safety codes.	Miss. Code § 89-8-23
Missouri	Implied warranty of habitability requires premises to be fit for living.	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.234
Montana	Do whatever is necessary to keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	Mont. Code § 70-24-303
Nebraska	Keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and keep common areas clean and safe.	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1419
Nevada	Maintain the dwelling in a habitable condition and keep common areas free from rodents, insects, and vermin.	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.290
New Hampshire	Maintain premises fit for human habitation and free from infestations by insects and rodents.	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14
New Jersey	Responsible for the eradication of any insects, rats, or other pests in two or more units or in common areas.	NJAC 5:10-10.2
New Mexico	Maintain the premises in a safe and habitable condition.	N.M. Stat. § 47-8-20
New York	Ensure premises are fit for human habitation and not detrimental to health or safety.	N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-b
North Carolina	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-42
North Dakota	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-13.1
Ohio	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	Ohio Rev. Stat. § 5321.04
Oklahoma	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.	Okla. Stat. Tit. 41, § 118
Oregon	Landlord must maintain dwelling in a habitable condition and free from rodents and vermin.	Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.320
Pennsylvania	Keep common areas safe and implied warranty of habitability requires landlord to keep premises fit for human habitation.	68 Penn. Stat. § 250.502-A
Rhode Island	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	R.I. Gen. Stat. § 34-18-22
South Carolina	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	S.C. Code § 27-40-440
South Dakota	Keep the premises in reasonable repair and fit for human habitation.	S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-8
Tennessee	Do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	Tenn. Code § 66-28-304
Texas	Repair conditions that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant.	Tex. Prop. Code § 92.052
Utah	Provide premises that are safe, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy.	Utah Code § 57-22-4
Vermont	Deliver and maintain premises that are safe, clean, and fit for human habitation and comply with the building, housing, and health regulations.	Vt. Stat. Tit. 9, § 4457
Virginia	Deliver the unit and surrounding premises in a fit and habitable condition and comply with health and safety codes.	Va. Code § 55.1-1220
Washington	Provide a reasonable program for the control of infestation by insects, rodents, and other pests and control infestation in a multi-unit property.	Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.060
Washington, D.C.	Responsible for extermination in multi-unit buildings and keep common spaces free from vermin, rodents, and rodent harborages.	D.C. Mun. Regs. Tit. 14, § 805
West Virginia	Maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition.	W. Va. Code § 37-6-30
Wisconsin	Keep premises in a reasonable state of repair and comply with health and safety laws.	Wis. Stat. § 704.07
Wyoming	Maintain the premises in a safe and sanitary condition fit for human habitation.	Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1202

Tenant Responsibilities for Pest Infestations

Tenants are generally responsible for keeping their living areas clean and free from issues that attract pests. When tenants introduce or invite pests by leaving trash and food waste, they may be liable. The tenants’ pets may also introduce infestations, such as fleas.

Tenants have a duty to give the landlord reasonable notice of pest problems. Under state or local housing laws, landlords may be required to address pest and rodent infestations within a specified time after receiving proper notice from tenants.

Tenants must also grant entry to a scheduled exterminator upon the landlord’s notice. If you refuse to allow a licensed exterminator to access the property for pest treatment, you may be liable for the costs of pest control.

If you notice droppings, nets, or signs of possible pests, document everything. Take photos or videos of what you see. Make notes about where you see signs of infestation, time and date information, and a record of what you report to your landlord.

Options When the Landlord Refuses to Provide Pest Control

You have a few options if a landlord refuses to address pest problems that are their responsibility, including:

Contacting the local county health or housing authority
Paying for pest control and deducting the charge from your rent
Filing a lawsuit against the landlord
Moving out and breaking the lease

Before taking any action, make sure you provide written notice to your landlord, giving them a chance to fix the problem.

When withholding rent, place the funds in a court-approved escrow account until the landlord addresses the infestation. Before you stop paying rent on a rental property, contact an experienced landlord-tenant attorney.

Contact a Tenant Rights Lawyer for Legal Help

A landlord-tenant lawyer can explain your legal options and help you with pest issues. Your attorney can also take legal action against your landlord to force them to clean up the property, hire a licensed exterminator, or help you recover compensation for the costs of pest control services.

Tenant’s rights laws are very specific to where you live and the type of property. For legal advice about getting pest control treatment for your property, talk to a local landlord-tenant attorney.

What do I do next?

Enter your location below to get connected with a qualified attorney today.

Popular attorney searches: Real Estate Civil Litigation Premises Liability

Additional Landlord/Tenant articles

State Landlord/Tenant articles

Attorney directory searches

Helpful links

Find top lawyers with confidence

The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.

Find a lawyer near you