Termites in a rented property: who pays for extermination?

Short answer: If the termites were already present in the property before the lease — or come from the building’s older structure — the owner pays. If they showed up during the lease due to the tenant’s lack of care, it’s the tenant’s responsibility. The move-in inspection report is the key piece of evidence for the decision.

Why this is a tricky question

Termites are silent. An infestation can exist for years before becoming visible — which is exactly why splitting responsibility gets confusing. The Tenancy Law (art. 22) doesn’t mention termites specifically, but the underlying principle is the same: defects that predate the lease are the owner’s responsibility.

When the owner pays

• The infestation was present before the lease began, even if only discovered later
• The termites come from old structural woodwork (beams, joists, ceiling framing) — a construction defect
• The move-in inspection report shows no record of recent preventive treatment
• The property is older and termite activity is expected given the structure itself

Rule of thumb: if the infestation isn’t mentioned in the move-in report and involves the property’s structure, it’s presumed to be pre-existing — the owner’s responsibility.

When the tenant pays

• The infestation arose during the lease due to lack of care: moisture buildup, furniture left permanently against a wall, insufficient ventilation
• The tenant brought already-infested furniture or materials into the property
• The move-in report noted the property as pest-free with recent preventive treatment

What to do when you find termites

1. Document it with photos — record where the infestation is and what surface is affected.
2. Notify Regente immediately — in writing. Don’t try to eliminate it yourself before an assessment.
3. The Maintenance Department assesses it, cross-checks it against the move-in report, and determines responsibility.
4. An accredited provider is dispatched with formal approval from the responsible party.

Damage to the tenant’s belongings

If the termites came from the property’s structure (the owner’s responsibility) and damaged the tenant’s furniture or belongings, the tenant can seek compensation for the losses. In these cases, check in with Regente — documenting things from the start of the request is essential to support any claim.

How Regente resolves it

The move-in inspection report produced by a third-party company is the baseline document. If the infestation wasn’t recorded and the origin is structural, the Maintenance Department contacts the owner for approval of the service. If the origin is related to use, the tenant is informed and approves the quote. Without approval, no work is carried out.

Related questions

• Who pays for maintenance on a rented property: landlord or tenant?
• Water leaks in a rented property: whose responsibility is it?
• How do I open a maintenance request at Regente?

Found termites and not sure what to do? Talk to Regente.