Tenants: report evidence in writing
Notify the landlord or property manager as soon as you find suspected activity. Include the room, date, a clear photo if safe and whether activity is continuing. Keep a copy of the report. Bites, sounds and droppings can be clues, but identification should guide the response.
- Preserve a specimen safely when practical.
- Avoid moving suspect bedding or furniture into shared spaces.
- Ask for the next inspection step and preparation information.
Managers: coordinate the building response
Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board explains that landlords are responsible for maintaining rental property, including controlling pests, while tenants have responsibilities such as ordinary cleanliness. Access, notice and disputes depend on the circumstances; follow current Ontario requirements. Do not promise a tenant a legal outcome or assign costs solely from a sighting.
- Acknowledge the report and record the affected locations.
- Arrange a qualified inspection and lawful access.
- Assess connected units, shared utility routes and common areas when findings warrant it.
Give preparation instructions people can follow
Share the actual instructions for the selected method, including what must be moved, contained or left alone. Ask about access or practical barriers early. Do not issue a generic demand to empty every room or discard all furniture without an inspection-based reason.
- Identify a contact for preparation questions.
- Discuss children, pets and occupant needs with the service provider.
- Explain re-entry and follow-up instructions in writing.
Keep one follow-up record
Track the original report, inspection findings, actions taken, repairs and subsequent evidence. A single log helps distinguish missed entry points, continuing activity and a new introduction. Keep tenant details private and share only what is needed to coordinate the work.
- Log dates and exact locations of sightings.
- Record agreed repairs and who is responsible for completing them.
- Set the next review date instead of closing the report after the first visit.