To a large extent, people will tolerate the presence of pests in a home they own, more than they will in a rented property. Just the same way people have elevated standards of cleanliness when they stay at a hotel compared to when they are at home. This is because it is human nature to try to extract every ounce of value when we are paying for something. This is why the presence of pests in a rental property can be highly damaging to the business.

Apart from tenant's intolerance of pests in a rental, pests harm people, property, and profits in several ways:

  • Pests carry germs that cause disease, create discomfort, contaminate food, and compromise tenant's safety.
  • Pests damage the property; they chew through wiring or piping materials, dig into walls or foundations, and destroy furniture.
  • Pests affect the ability of a property to attract or retain tenants; high-tenant turnover will impair profits.
  • Pests hurt the property manager's reputation; the company is viewed as incompetent and prospective tenants want to avoid doing business with them.
  • Pests increase the operational cost of a property as more money is spent on maintenance than is necessary.
  • All these will destroy the appeal of a property and negatively affect its market value.

If these happen with a rental property, the property owner may be motivated to take it out of the manager's hand. A property manager's ability to maintain a rental in good condition and retain tenants is central to the success of their property management business. And how they approach pest control in the rental is critical to how well the properties under their care perform.

Property managers can be proactive or reactive in the way they approach pest control and the approach they choose matters. Regardless of what a manager does, pests will find their way to the property, at some point. How the manager handles the issue of pest control will determine if the pests simply pass through the home or take up residence in the property. Once pests have taken hold in a rental, the problem can quickly go out of hand.

This is particularly true for a property with multiple floors and several families living in it. The source of the problem is not easily located, but it can quickly spread to all the units in the property. Pests can also be a problem in commercial properties because even the mere thought of pests is enough to scare customers away. These are the reasons why an effective pest control regime is paramount to the business of a property manager.

T.E. Johnson & Sons, a property management company in Winston-Salem, shares five reasons why property managers should prioritize scheduled pest control in a rental property.

1. Pests are sneaky

Waiting until pests appear in a property before taking action is a recipe for disaster. By the time pests become apparent to a manager or tenants, the pests have had time to multiply. Moreover, if a property manager waits until tenants start to sight pests before they take action, they may be unable to make the tenants stay. Scheduled pest control ensures that the conditions in a property are never comfortable enough for pests to take up residence.

2. It is preventive

Pests like bed bugs, cockroaches, or even mice travel along with people's belongings. New tenants or visitors to a property can transport these vermin into the home. Moreover, the pest control needs of a home change with the seasons of the year; managers must be constantly vigilant. Regular pest control helps the manager stay on their toes. Rather than treating problems, scheduled pest control helps the property manager prevent them.

3. It is cheaper

The cost of preventing pest-takeover of a home is far cheaper than the expenses of dealing with a full-blown infestation. And this goes beyond the actual dollar amount of dealing with the problem. It includes the lost opportunity of tenants who leave the property or who refuse to rent it. It also damages the property manager's reputation. A property manager can avoid the need for doing damage control to their name by simply preventing pests in the home.

4. Enhanced productivity

Pest control takes time, and property managers rarely have that. Responding to the threat of pest infestation only after the problem has taken hold is energy-sapping and time-consuming. Doing this takes away valuable time-resources from a manager and their staff. It affects the manager's efficiency and limits productivity because time is given to non-income producing activities.

5. Improves relationship with tenants

A proactive approach to pest control is one of the best ways to demonstrate to tenants that the property manager is invested in their wellbeing. It also creates the basis for recruiting the tenants as allies in the fight against pest-infestation. When tenants see that a manager is doing all that is necessary to keep the home free of pests, they will be more willing to support the manager with their own efforts.

Property managers are business-people, and scheduled pest control protects the property manager's business. It makes good business sense to have scheduled pest control for a rental property.

Experienced Provider Of Pest Control Services In Winston-Salem

Since 1972, the team of experts with Ray's Pest Control & Wildlife Removal has been providing effective solutions for residential and commercial customers in the Winston-Salem region. Our licensed and certified technicians use the latest tools available in the industry to completely eliminate problems with bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, and many other bothersome pests. As a family-owned operation, we understand the importance of operating in a way that ensures the safety of our customers and our local environment. 
 
We employ a comprehensive process of interior and exterior inspection, efficient treatment, and timely follow-up to get the job done right. Both same-day and emergency services are now available for those with immediate concerns. We encourage you to contact our office today for a complimentary onsite inspection and estimate.