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How to tell a Tenant Bad News:

Funny rat isolated on white background

How to tell a Tenant Bad News: Dear Tenant, you are causing the rodent issue in your rental property.

 

Telling someone that they are dirty and causing a rodent infestation can be a touchy situation. I don’t know anyone who would take being told that they are the issue and be happy about that. The goal is not to place the tenant on the defensive and place any personal blame, but to let them know that there are solutions to the problem that will make their living situation better and hopefully end the situation.

 

I also try to open this conversation by deflecting openly to the pest control person’s opinion or advice, yes I throw the vendor under the bus completely. I see it this way, I am not a licensed pest control professional, but the vendor is, and if this is their opinion, I am only taking on the role as the messenger, please don’t shoot me.

 

Here is an example of an email or conversation starter:

 

I wanted to share with you that our Pest Control contractor went to your property today and shared with me that he didn’t feel that his actions would be able to completely irradicate the problem. Of course our goal is to help you in taking care of this situation as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Here are the items that you can complete to make sure that this happens and the issue is completely resolved. :

 

-Don’t leave any food and water out, mice and rats are attracted to a home with water and food sources available

-If you have a pet don’t leave their food or water out between feedings. Enclose all pet food in plastic containers, not bags that can be chewed through.

-Don’t leave piles of clothes or debris on the floor in any rooms. This is a great spot for mice and rats to pro-create and I am sure you don’t want your favorite sweater to become a birthing facility.

-Clean the floors and rooms thoroughly on a regular basis so as to avoid any crumbs or tracked in items around that house that could be a good source of sustainability for the rodents.

-Make sure that every night dishes are cleaned and put away and no food is left out in the kitchen. Rodents are normally nocturnal creatures, so we want to make sure not to turn your kitchen into a late night buffet. Your house is not a Vegas casino, but your home.

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