landlords/tenants

i have a tenant living upstairs in my home and i am currently under construction downstairs.

the tenant just called to tell me there is a mouse. i feel horrible about it and i havent seen any downstairs but im thinking its from the work im doing and banging, etc.

i told him that i could buy traps or he could i would reimburse them.

is there anything else i can do?

i doubt there is need for an exterminator, but what is the protocol on this?

TIA

ETA: i think im all a little because i havent had a mouse since october, and when they moved in, they had their belongings in bins for about 2-3 days outside before everything was brought in. i just thought maybe this is how a mouse came in?

Message edited 1/13/2012 6:34:11 AM.

Re: landlords/tenants

I think your obligation as a landlord is to provide a habitable environment for your tenant. So that would include getting rid of any pests in the house that interferes with their "enjoyment" of their apartment.

If it's a lone mouse brought on my construction, I think your proposal sounds very fair and reasonable.

If it were a more pervasive problem, then I think you'd need to hire an exterminator. I remember my sister used to live in a very nice apartment in someone's house, but would often get an infestation of ants. Her landlord would call an exterminator to talke care of it.

I wouldn't feel bad! I think most people who've lived in houses understand that from time to time, a little field mouse may get in during winter months or when there is construction being done. It's something that can easily be taken care of.

Re: landlords/tenants

thank you