Who is responsible for dealing with a wasp nest

Who is responsible for dealing with a wasp nest - the tenant or the landlord?

Summer is almost here, and with it comes more creepy crawlies and buzzing insects. But what happens if you discover that wasps have nested in one of your rental properties? Read on to find out more…

Most landlords strive to be 'good' landlords, taking care of the property and the tenants, ensuring the safety certificates are done each year, trying to keep on top of legal compliance, and visiting a couple of times a year to check in and make sure everything is going well.

In your property portfolio, everything is going smoothly, and you enjoy the monthly rental income. That is until your tenants' number flashes up on your phone unexpectedly. They only call when there is a problem, so you brace yourself as you answer. What has gone wrong? Will it be expensive to repair?

But they are calling to report a wasp nest—not an everyday occurrence by any stretch. They are understandably worried; they don't want anyone in the house to get stung and feel that the outside space is unusable whilst there is a nest of wasps.

This raises an important question: Who is responsible for removing a wasp nest? Does this responsibility fall to the landlord or the tenant?

It is not your house; rather, you do not live there. The tenants are required to maintain the garden and outside spaces during their tenancy, so would a wasp's nest not fall to them to deal with?

The short answer is no.

The property and the fabric of the building is your responsibility as the landlord. Typically, the removal of a wasp nest will fall to you. Your tenants have not done anything to encourage wasps to build a nest, and there is nothing that they could have done to prevent it. As the landlord, it is your duty and obligation to arrange for pest control for your tenants, to remove the offending wasp nest, allowing your tenants full enjoyment of the property that they are paying for.

And don't delay. It is not pleasant for your tenants to feel as if they can't go outside and enjoy the garden because of a wasp nest. Prompt action is required when a tenant has reported something to you for repair, as delays could harm your relationship.

If you are trying to manage your tenancy alone, you could be missing important things like this, leaving your tenants unhappy and creating unnecessary stress for yourself. Consider employing a managing agent to look after the property for you. This would ensure that your property is well looked after and all needed repairs are handled for you. Regular visits ensure that your property is being well looked after, your tenants are happy, and your rent is paid.

Contact our team of experts for more information about how property management could be the key to stress-free investment.

Get in touch with us

First Name

Last Name

Your Email Address

Mobile Phone

Are you looking to

Buy

Sell

Rent

Let

Please enter message here

Please confirm that it is okay for us to contact you about this information as well as our products and services. By confirming, you also agree to the use of cookies to enhance your experience. (You will always have the right to unsubscribe or manage your cookie preferences at any point in the future.)

Confirm

£2m plus sales in the UK this year, and what they tell us

With plans announced to raise the council tax surcharge on higher-value homes, this snapshot looks at how many £2m-plus properties have actually sold across the UK this year. The data shows a highly concentrated market, dominated by London, and reveals just how small this sector is nationally despite the noise around a “mansion tax.”

CLICK HERE >

Legislation Changes That Impact Landlords

With ongoing reforms and rising compliance demands across the UK, managing a rental property alone is becoming increasingly complex. Here’s why professional management now matters more than ever.

CLICK HERE >

Attleborough House Prices: What’s Happened in the Last 5 Years

This visual snapshot reveals how property values rarely move in unison. Some streets surge ahead, others advance more quietly, each following its own rhythm. It’s a reminder that markets are made of micro stories, where proximity alone doesn’t guarantee the same outcome.

CLICK HERE >

What will November's Budget now mean for Attleborough homeowners and landlords?

Following on from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, this article breaks down what the new tax measures really mean for Attleborough. With the feared £500,000 property tax dropped and a targeted Mansion Tax on £2m-plus properties introduced, I explore the likely impact on local homeowners, landlords, and tenants, separating headlines from reality.

CLICK HERE >