honey bee removal

[Chuckster99]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
We have been having many issues with our landlord. As of right now we have had to leave the house do to honey bees coming into the house though a small hole under the siding of the home. Our oldest son is allergic to insect bits. The land lord has informed us that we are reasponsable for the removal of the bees. In my view the bees are like termintes an unwanted insect causing damage to the home. Am I responsable for the removel?

[Cvillecpm]

Assuming it is a single family/stand alone home, yes the tenants' are responsible.

Hotshot is the easiest to use on a calm day in the early evening.....and caulk the hole.

[las365]

The answer to your question depends on the terms of your lease and the extent of the problem.

If your lease makes you responsible, then you are. The interpretation of a specific legal document is best left to a legal professional who can review it personally.

If the problem is an occasional bee finding its way into the house, then you would logically be responsible for taking care of the problem. If a bee colony has built a hive in the walls of the house, or close by outside, it is probably the landlord's responsibility to have it removed.

Do you know where the hive is? You say you have left the home. How many bees were coming in on an average day?

[justalayman]

I believe it may come down to interpretation but there is a section of Texas statutes that states this:

(paraphrased)

2. Major problems.

Regardless of the terms of the lease, there is a law which requires the landlord to repair conditions which materially affect a tenant’s physical health or safety, and to provide hot water to a tenant. Texas law requires the landlord to make reasonable efforts to repair any condition which materially affects the health or safety of an ordinary tenant and to provide hot water to the tenant.

I believe bees would fall under this section as it is a life safety issue.

If there is such thing as a tenants advocacy office in Texas, I would suggest you contact them for clarification.

this is just my interpretation of the applicable laws. The state of Texas may see things differently.

[Chuckster99]

we are in texas & the hive is in the wall of the home. at lost account we have over 45 dead bees. that was the estm. from the removal company last night in one corner of iur house. You can see them coming and going out of the house. pluse hear them in the wall. Not a good feeling. Now the landlord says he will pay for the removal of th hive & honey we need to pay the $300.00 for the bees to be moved or killed. This is nuts I just payed rent on Thur.

[las365]

What part of Texas are you in?

[Chuckster99]

we are in Spring tx north of houston

[Chuckster99]

We came to terms with the landlord and agreed to pay $100 of the $300 for the spraying of the bees. However we have not been able to reside in the house for 3 weeks.

Now we are wondering if we can ask for a prorated amount on the rent since we have not been in the house for 3 weeks. Any advice?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Chuckster99

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
We have been having many issues with our landlord. As of right now we have had to leave the house do to honey bees coming into the house though a small hole under the siding of the home. Our oldest son is allergic to insect bits. The land lord has informed us that we are reasponsable for the removal of the bees. In my view the bees are like termintes an unwanted insect causing damage to the home. Am I responsable for the removel?

**A: the landlord is responsible for the treatment to remove but not for paying any loss of rent. Could you or a handman have easily fixed to small home under the siding to mitigate the problem? Was the bee nest on the property or coming from neighbor's property?

[Cvillecpm]

I disagree with the above...the landlord is responsible for closing the HOLE that is allowing the bees to enter the dwelling; however, in a SFR, the resident is usually responsible for pest control after move-in.....and no, you do not get a rent rebate

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Cvillecpm

I disagree with the above...the landlord is responsible for closing the HOLE that is allowing the bees to enter the dwelling; however, in a SFR, the resident is usually responsible for pest control after move-in.....and no, you do not get a rent rebate

**A: not again. Did you read the Texas statute? If so, it is obvious you can't understand English.

[Cvillecpm]

....Regardless of the terms of the lease, there is a law which requires the landlord to REPAIR conditions which materially affect a tenant’s physical health or safety, and to provide hot water to a tenant. Texas law requires the landlord to make reasonable efforts to REPAIR any condition which materially affects the health or safety of an ordinary tenant and to provide hot water to the tenant.

Now....who can't read?

[Chuckster99]

We also ended up paying for shrubs and trees to be cut and removed from the side of the hose where the bees were gathering. Should we be reimbursed by the landlord? Or is that considered maintenance that is the renters responsibility?
rought to our
Also Terminix brought to our attention several holes and gaps around the house that need to be sealed and covered. Otherwise the bees might be able to return. It was suggested a contractor come out to fix these. Can the landlord come after us for $100 to help fix these or would it be his financial responsibility?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Chuckster99

We also ended up paying for shrubs and trees to be cut and removed from the side of the hose where the bees were gathering. Should we be reimbursed by the landlord? Or is that considered maintenance that is the renters responsibility?
rought to our


**A: it depends upon the terms and conditions in your lease agreement.


###########
Also Terminix brought to our attention several holes and gaps around the house that need to be sealed and covered. Otherwise the bees might be able to return. It was suggested a contractor come out to fix these. Can the landlord come after us for $100 to help fix these or would it be his financial responsibility?

**A: L should be responsible.

[Cvillecpm]

OP wrote..."We also ended up paying for shrubs and trees to be cut and removed from the side of the hose where the bees were gathering. Should we be reimbursed by the landlord? Or is that considered maintenance that is the renters responsibility?"

No - not unless the landlord is responsible for the yard work....when renting a sfr, the tenant is tasked with yard care responsibilities and if you do not have the tools, then paying for someone to perform those duties is your responsibility.