Pest Control in townhome - do we have right to not let them in?

Question

My husband and I moved into a townhome. The owners have the place sprayed twice a month, and they actually come into the home and spray along the corners of everything. I am pregnant and we have a dog, I don't like having them come in, and it should be fine if they just spray outside. Are we allowed to ask them to not come inside but stay outside, or being under there rules do we have to let them in? I don't think it is very safe for when the baby comes to be able to crawl around with pestisides all over the floors and walls!

Answer 1

I would review your lease and see if it is stated in it that the in home spraying is required. If not, I would speak to the owner and explain that the pesticides are hazardous to your unborn child. I don't see anyone in his right mind arguing with that. No one wants any legal problems.  

Answer 2

you probably don't.

however, if you don't, then all the bugs will come visit you.

maybe it's time to move.

Answer 3

I was appalled to discover in Varadero, Cuba that the state would come into people's houses with or without consent to spray residual pesticides for control of various insects including cockroaches.

But apparently the town had had a plebiscite and had decided to do this without exception. Apparently spraying outside had been  tried and it was only partially effective. Controlling those insects appeared to be critical to the town keeping its tourist trade.

So, I would not be entirely confident that the state may not have given itself the right to do that. And in general, rental units are the landlord's property. Unless there is state intervention I expect they have a right to protect that property any way they choose.

Best get a house you own.

Answer 4

Twice a month seems pretty excessive. I would try to do whatever you can to keep them from doing that. Contact your landlord and explain the situation. Any reasonable person should understand that a pregnant woman doesn't want to (or shouldn't, in my opinion) be around pesticides. Personally, I wouldn't want it outside the house either.

The previous owners of our house had it sprayed periodically, according to our neighbors. We've been here over three years without doing any pest control and haven't had problems. An occasional lady bug or spider, that's about it.

I would try the owners first. Or, next time they come to spray ask them to provide you with documents stating that the chemicals are safe for pregnant women and newborns. If they can't do that, then go back to the landlord and be a little more forceful. Good luck.

Answer 5

In most states (if not all) the landlord is legally responsible to provide "reasonable pest control" but only has the right to enter without tenant consent in case of emergency or abandonment.  It's kind of a catch 22 for the landlord really.

First check your state Landlord-Tenant Act for the actual law in your state and your lease. Then try to talk to your landlord to see if you could come to some type of agreement. Perhaps you could offer to pay the difference for orange oil instead of chemical pesticides or something like that.