Pest control for property managers Melbourne
The pest control partner Melbourne property managers call before VCAT does
Multi Pest Control works as a preferred pest partner for Melbourne real estate agencies and property managers 2 hour phone response, same day property attendance, landlord direct invoicing, and written documentation that protects you if a dispute reaches the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Tell us a few details and our Melbourne team will get back to you quickly with the right solution.
2 hour phone response for PM requests
Invoice direct to landlord or agency
RTA 1997 (Vic) responsibility guidance
VCAT ready written reports
2 hrs
phone response for PM pest requests
Same day
emergency response
RTA 1997
(Vic) responsibility assessment included
Written
All Melbourne
suburbs covered
RTA 1997 (Vic) pest responsibility common PM scenarios
Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic)
Pest scenario & Primary responsibility
Basis under RTA / Regs
Recommended action
Cockroaches present at start of tenancy
e.g. reported within first 2–4 weeks of move-in
Landlord
RTA s.65 landlord must provide premises in a reasonably clean condition at commencement. Infestation pre-dates the tenancy.
Landlord funds treatment. PM engages pest controller and invoices landlord directly.
Rodents entering via structural gap or broken seal
e.g. gap in soffit, broken roof tile, unsealed pipe penetration
Landlord
RTA s.68 landlord must maintain premises in good repair. Structural defect allowing entry is a maintenance obligation.
Landlord funds both the structural repair and the pest treatment. Separate invoices for each trade.
Pre-existing cockroach infestation discovered mid-tenancy
e.g. tenant reports cockroaches but property was not treated at tenancy start
Landlord
If no pest treatment was conducted at commencement, the landlord cannot demonstrate the premises were pest-free. Infestation assumed pre-existing.
Landlord funds treatment. If disputed, a licensed pest controller's written assessment of infestation age is useful for VCAT.
Cockroaches arising during tenancy tenant's kitchen practices
e.g. evidence of food waste, unwashed dishes, poor hygiene observed at inspection
Tenant
RTA s.60 tenant must keep premises reasonably clean. Infestation resulting from tenant's conduct is the tenant's responsibility.
Tenant funds treatment. PM issues a breach notice requiring pest treatment within the specified timeframe. Written pest report confirms cause.
Possum in roof tenant reports thumping/scratching
e.g. possum entered via pre-existing roof gap
Landlord
Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) and RTA s.68 possum is wildlife, removal requires a licensed controller, and entry via structural gap is a maintenance issue. Landlord responsibility on both grounds.
Landlord funds licensed possum removal and entry point proofing. See our possum removal service.
Flea infestation tenant had pets, lease had pet clause
e.g. flea evidence found at routine inspection or at vacate
Tenant
Pet clause in lease typically requires tenant to have flea treatment carried out on vacating if pets were kept. Flea infestation arising from the tenant's pet is the tenant's responsibility.
Tenant funds flea treatment. PM can issue a breach notice requiring treatment and written certificate within a specified timeframe.
Bed bugs discovered mid tenancy
e.g. tenant reports bed bug bites and evidence on mattress
Disputed depends on timing
Bed bug introduction source is rarely provable. VCAT generally looks at whether there is evidence of a pre-existing infestation vs. a new introduction during the tenancy.
Arrange treatment urgently (bed bugs spread rapidly). Written pest assessment of likely infestation age provides valuable evidence for VCAT if responsibility is disputed.
Wasp nest on property tenant reports
e.g. wasp nest on eave, in garden, or at building entry
Landlord
RTA s.68 and general duty of care a wasp nest presenting an injury risk to an occupant is a maintenance and safety matter the landlord is required to address.
Landlord funds wasp nest removal. Same day treatment available for PM-referred properties. See our wasp removal service.
End of lease pest treatment required by lease
e.g. lease required professional treatment on vacate
Depends on lease terms
If the lease explicitly requires end-of-lease pest treatment and the property was treated at commencement (documented), the tenant is required to match that treatment on vacate.
Tenant arranges and funds. See our end of lease pest treatment service for tenant-initiated bookings.
Drain fly
This table is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific circumstances, lease terms, and VCAT orders take precedence. Where responsibility is genuinely disputed, a written assessment from a licensed pest controller documenting the observed evidence and likely infestation timeline is the most practically useful input for a VCAT hearing. Multi Pest Control provides written assessments suitable for VCAT proceedings on request.
📞 2-hour phone response
PM calls treated as priority
When you call or email a pest request for a managed property, you receive a response within 2 hours during business hours not a callback queue. We confirm attendance timing in the same call so you can update the tenant immediately.
🧾 Invoice direct to landlord or agency
No tenant invoice, no confusion
We invoice directly to the landlord's nominated account or your agency trust account as required not to the tenant. This removes the dispute about who was charged and keeps the paper trail clean for trust accounting.
📋 Written report same day
For your maintenance records and VCAT file
A written service report is emailed to your nominated PM contact the same day as every treatment. The report includes the pest found, the treatment carried out, the products used, the technician's licence number, and a plain-language summary of whether the infestation appears to be a landlord or tenant responsibility.
⚖️ RTA responsibility assessment
Written opinion on landlord vs. tenant
On request, we provide a written assessment of the likely pest source and whether the infestation appears to be a landlord or tenant responsibility based on the evidence at inspection. This assessment is useful for breach notices and VCAT proceedings.
Tenant calls to report cockroaches property has no pest treatment history on file
No documented pest treatment at tenancy commencement means the landlord cannot demonstrate the premises were pest-free. We attend same day or next day, carry out treatment funded by the landlord, and provide a written report and invoice to the agency.
Landlord funds — same day
Tenant with pets vacates flea evidence found at final inspection
Pet clause in the lease requires the tenant to have flea treatment carried out. PM issues breach notice requiring a written flea treatment certificate within 7 days. Tenant books our flea treatment directly. We provide a certificate addressed to the tenant for submission to the agency.
Tenant funds — certificate issued
Wasp nest reported at rental property tenant concerned about children
Wasp nest is a landlord maintenance obligation and an urgent safety matter. PM calls us and we attend same day in most Melbourne zones. Written report provided same day for maintenance records. Invoice to the landlord or agency trust account.
Landlord funds — same day
Rodent activity reported thumping in roof, droppings in kitchen
We attend, inspect, and identify the entry point. If the entry is structural (roof gap, broken seal), the landlord funds both treatment and structural repair. If rodents are present due to the tenant's food storage practices, we provide a written assessment supporting a breach notice.
Assessed on inspection
Bed bugs discovered tenant disputes responsibility, threatens VCAT
We attend urgently (bed bugs spread between units rapidly). We carry out treatment and provide a written assessment of likely infestation age and any evidence of how the infestation was introduced. This assessment is the most valuable input for a VCAT hearing on responsibility.
Urgent — VCAT documentation
New tenancy commencement landlord wants property pre treated
Pre-tenancy pest treatment creates a documented baseline if an infestation arises during the tenancy, the PM can show the property was pest-free at commencement. We provide a treatment certificate that can be added to the lease commencement documents.
Proactive — baseline cert
Same day attendance available
Priority scheduling for PM-referred properties, same-day attendance available across all Melbourne zones for urgent pest situations.
Landlord direct invoicing
Invoices addressed to the landlord or agency trust account as required, not to the tenant. Keeps your trust accounting and responsibility allocation clean.
VCAT ready documentation
Written reports with licence number, products, and findings the documentation VCAT requires to evidence that the landlord's duty of care was met promptly.
2 hour phone response
PM pest requests acknowledged within 2 hours during business hours, so you can update the tenant the same day you report the issue.
RTA responsibility assessment
Written opinion on landlord vs. tenant responsibility included in every report where the cause is assessable, ready for breach notices and VCAT hearings.
All Melbourne suburbs
Full portfolio coverage across inner, eastern, southern, northern, and western Melbourne, one partner for your entire managed property list.
Tell us a few details and our Melbourne team will get back to you quickly with the right solution.