Question 1

Cockroaches!

Accepted Answer

Q: We have been informed by a resident (who rents the flat from a relation) that she has seen cockroaches in her flat! To say I was surprised would be an understatement as the tenants are extremely clean and have a cleaner weekly. As the only previous insect problem has been the odd ant ingress in ground floor garden flats, I'm at a loss as to what our responsibility is in this case. The majority of problems within a flat are normally the owner’s responsibility, however this tenant gives the impression that the association has the onus. I advised her to get confirmation that they are cockroaches and to have a word with the council for advice. I was informed today by a committee member that the council visited the flat this morning, so any advice you can offer as to what our obligation, if any, might be, before I hear from the council would be much appreciated. FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman replies: I reply from a practical point of view rather than a legal one. With regards to pest control in flats, it's likely that they have got in from the outside of the flat and therefore it's likely that the association will have at least some level of responsibility. You are quite right getting your local council pest control officer to investigate and establish what the pest is, where it has come from, and how to prevent this infestation spreading to other flats. In my block we usually carry out the initial investigation and meet the cost from the service charge, if applicable. Not all councils charge for this. Once we have received their report it is usually clear where the responsibility for the removal lies and how to prevent further infestation. [Submitted February 2017]

Question 2

Cockroaches!

Accepted Answer

Q: We have been informed by a resident (who rents the flat from a relation) that she has seen cockroaches in her flat! To say I was surprised would be an understatement as the tenants are extremely clean and have a cleaner weekly. As the only previous insect problem has been the odd ant ingress in ground floor garden flats, I'm at a loss as to what our responsibility is in this case. The majority of problems within a flat are normally the owner’s responsibility, however this tenant gives the impression that the association has the onus. I advised her to get confirmation that they are cockroaches and to have a word with the council for advice. I was informed today by a committee member that the council visited the flat this morning, so any advice you can offer as to what our obligation, if any, might be, before I hear from the council would be much appreciated. FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman replies: I reply from a practical point of view rather than a legal one. With regards to pest control in flats, it's likely that they have got in from the outside of the flat and therefore it's likely that the association will have at least some level of responsibility. You are quite right getting your local council pest control officer to investigate and establish what the pest is, where it has come from, and how to prevent this infestation spreading to other flats. In my block we usually carry out the initial investigation and meet the cost from the service charge, if applicable. Not all councils charge for this. Once we have received their report it is usually clear where the responsibility for the removal lies and how to prevent further infestation. [Submitted February 2017]

Cockroaches!

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