3. Aims and objectives
3.1 The aim of this policy is to ensure clarity about how and when B3Living will take action to treat pest infestations and when this is the customer's responsibility.
3.2 B3Living’s Responsibilities
3.2.1 B3Living is responsible for treating some pests in flats occupied by our tenants, or in internal communal areas. The following pests will be B3Living’s responsibility to treat if they are found in our customers’ homes or in an internal communal area:
- Rats
- Mice
- Cockroaches
- Pharaoh ants
3.2.2 B3Living will not take action to treat any other pests (for example, pigeons) unless they have damaged or are at serious risk of damaging the structure of the building. An inspection must be completed by a B3Living representative prior to any works commencing to determine whether this is the case.
3.2.3 B3Living will not treat pests in individual gardens or external communal areas, unless works are required to secure a boundary that B3Living is responsible for to prevent pests gaining access.
3.2.4 Similarly, if pests are accessing a property through holes in the building fabric, B3Living will ensure appropriate remedial works are carried out to prevent pests from continuing to gain access.
3.3 Customer Responsibilities
3.3.1 Customers must alert B3Living of an infestation for which B3Living is responsible as soon as they become aware of the issue to enable swift treatment and prevent the infestation from spreading.
3.3.2 Although B3Living will offer advice where we can on treatment options and prevention methods, customers are responsible for all other pests in their home and any pests (including those listed at 3.2.1) in their garden if their garden is private. This includes (but is not limited to) pests such as:
- Flying insects (i.e. wasps)
- Bed bugs
- Ants
- Moths
- Household beetles
- Spiders
3.3.3 If an infestation is due to customer lifestyle (i.e. significant rubbish in or around the property, poorly maintained property or garden, customer damage to the property enabling access by pests), then B3Living will seek to recharge the customers for any pest control treatment and any damage to the property.
3.3.4 If a customer does not take appropriate action to resolve an infestation and subsequently neighbouring properties or the building fabric becomes infested or damaged due to a customer’s neglect, then B3Living may intervene to address the issue and will seek to recharge the customer for the associated costs.
3.3.5 B3Living is not responsible for any damage to customers’ belongings as a result of any infestation.
3.3.6 Shared owners and leaseholders are responsible for all pest control in their own home.