Renting and the law
Who pays for pest control, landlord or tenant?
It depends on the cause and what the tenancy says. The landlord is generally responsible where the agreement makes them so, where it promises a good or habitable home, or where the infestation comes from disrepair they have not fixed, such as holes or gaps that let pests in. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires them to keep the structure and exterior in repair, which can include sealing entry points. The tenant is usually responsible where the problem was caused by something they did, such as not disposing of rubbish. Report it in writing, check the tenancy, and ask the council's environmental health team if the landlord will not act.
Rats, mice, cockroaches or a wasp nest in a rented home raise an immediate question: who pays to deal with it. There is no single answer, because it turns on how the infestation started and what your tenancy agreement says. This page explains how responsibility is usually decided. For lawful, effective treatment of one common case, see our rats in the loft guide.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, speak to Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor.
When the landlord pays
Citizens Advice and Shelter set out the main situations where the landlord is likely responsible: where the tenancy agreement says they are, where it promises to keep the home in a good or habitable state, or where the infestation is the result of disrepair the landlord has not dealt with. A classic example is rodents entering through holes in walls, gaps around pipes or a defect the landlord should have fixed.
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 backs this up by requiring landlords to keep the structure and exterior in repair. Sealing the gaps and defects that let pests in can fall within that duty, so a structural cause often points to landlord responsibility.
When the tenant pays
You may be responsible if the infestation was caused by something you did or did not do. The common example is failing to dispose of rubbish properly, which attracts rats and mice. Where the cause is clearly down to the way the property has been used rather than a building defect, the tenant usually has to arrange and pay for treatment. Keeping the home clean and reporting problems early helps avoid disputes about cause.
If there is a dispute
Start with the tenancy agreement and report the problem to the landlord in writing as soon as it appears, since they are usually only responsible once they know. If the landlord is responsible and refuses to act, your council's pest control or environmental health team can advise, and where an infestation is harmful to health it may be a statutory nuisance that the council can require the landlord to deal with. Citizens Advice or a housing solicitor can help if the dispute continues.
Frequently asked questions
When is the landlord responsible for pests?
Citizens Advice says the landlord is likely responsible where the tenancy agreement says so, where it promises to keep the home in a good or habitable state, or where the infestation results from disrepair the landlord has not fixed, such as holes in walls or gaps that let rodents in. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 they must keep the structure and exterior in repair, which can include sealing those entry points.
When is the tenant responsible?
You may be responsible if the infestation was caused by something you did or failed to do, for example not disposing of rubbish properly so it attracted rats. In that situation you would usually have to arrange and pay for treatment yourself.
Does it depend on what the tenancy says?
Yes. The tenancy agreement is the starting point. Read the clauses on repairs, pests and keeping the property in good condition. If the agreement makes the landlord responsible, or promises a habitable home, that supports a claim that they should deal with and pay for the problem.
What if my landlord refuses to act?
Report it in writing and keep a record. If the landlord is responsible and does nothing, your council's pest control or environmental health team can advise, and where an infestation harms health it may be a statutory nuisance the council can require the landlord to deal with. Citizens Advice or Shelter can help you decide what to do.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver Mackman is the editor of HomesAndHedge and is accountable for its editorial standards and sourcing. He ensures every claim is backed by a named source such as the Property Care Association, the RHS, the NHS or gov.uk, and that the site is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026