Who arranges pest control in a rented home depends on the tenancy agreement. Check the specific clause, document the problem with photos and dates, and notify the landlord or agent in writing before arranging treatment yourself.
Check the tenancy agreement first
Most tenancy agreements in Singapore include a clause on maintenance and repairs. Some assign pest control to the landlord, some to the tenant, and some split it by cause. The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) provides templates and checklists that many agreements follow, but the actual terms in your signed agreement are what apply.
Look for clauses on maintenance, vermin, pest control, or general upkeep. If the agreement is unclear, ask the property agent in writing what the agreed position is. Do not assume that the landlord always pays or that the tenant always pays; it depends on the agreement and the circumstances.
What to document
- Photos of pest activity: droppings, damage, live insects, nests. Include the date and location in each photo.
- Which rooms are affected and how long the activity has continued.
- Any structural issue that may be contributing: a gap under the front door, a broken floor trap, water seepage, a hole around a pipe.
- What you have already tried: cleaning, traps, sprays.
- Written records of all communication with the landlord or agent about the problem.
These records protect both parties and help a pest control assessor understand the situation.
Notifying the landlord or agent
Write, do not just call. A message or email creates a dated record. Describe the problem, attach your photos, and ask how the landlord wants it handled. If the tenancy agreement assigns responsibility to the landlord, give them reasonable time to arrange treatment. If it assigns it to you, arrange treatment yourself and keep the receipts.
If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable period, send a follow-up in writing and keep a copy. The tenancy agreement may specify a notice period or a procedure for maintenance requests.
Structural issues versus pest treatment
A gap under a front door, a broken floor trap, a crack in the wall or a persistent leak is a building defect, not just a pest problem. Pest treatment may need to happen alongside a structural repair. Check your tenancy agreement for clauses on structural maintenance and alterations; many agreements require the landlord's written consent before a tenant modifies the property structure. Report the defect in writing and ask how the landlord wants it handled.
If the pest problem appears related to a structural defect that has not been fixed, document the connection. A pest control assessor can note entry points and contributing conditions in the written scope.
What to confirm before treatment
- Who is paying: you, the landlord, or shared.
- Who arranges access: you may need to coordinate with the agent or the landlord for a convenient time.
- Whether the landlord wants to choose the provider, or whether you can select one and claim the cost.
- What documentation the landlord needs: a written quote, a receipt, a report.
Four Solutions can provide a written scope and quote that you can share with your landlord or agent before the work is confirmed. The quote specifies the areas, the treatment, the preparation, any warranty and the cost.
What to send for a useful quote
Send the property type, the pests you are seeing, photos, which rooms are affected, how long it has continued, any known structural issue and whether you need a quote that can be forwarded to a landlord. Message Four Solutions on WhatsApp with those details.
Sources: CEA tenancy agreements and checklists. This guide is general information about documenting and arranging pest control in a rental; it is not legal advice about tenancy disputes. Checked 14 October 2026.
Pest Problems in a Rented Singapore Home FAQs
Does the landlord always pay for pest control?
Not necessarily. It depends on the tenancy agreement. Some agreements assign pest control to the landlord, some to the tenant, and some depend on the cause. Check your signed agreement.
Can I withhold rent because of pests?
This guide does not cover tenancy disputes or rent withholding. If you have a disagreement about responsibilities, seek advice appropriate to your situation. Document the problem and your communication in writing.
What if the landlord does not respond?
Send a follow-up in writing and keep a copy. If the agreement assigns the responsibility to the landlord and they do not act within a reasonable time, you may need to seek advice appropriate to your tenancy terms.
Should I get pest control before moving in?
A pre-move-in pest check can catch problems before you unpack. See the before-moving-in checklist for what to inspect. If the property was vacant, check for signs of cockroaches, booklice and rodents before arranging your belongings.