Dead something in the roof of IP

Just had a phone call that something has died in the roof of one of my IP's, and it stinks.
"Unbearable stench' were the tenants words. Bear in mind tenant is a writer and may be prone to exaggeration.

It's a bit subjective - a dead mouse isn't a nice smell but it's temporary, where a dead possum might linger a bit longer and truly be unbearable.

I have no idea what to do about this - or even who to call! Ideas?

 

Cheap option: Vanilla Air Freshener | National

Expensive option: Dead Removals - Peter the Possum & Bird Man

 

Tenant issue. They rented the place.
If its a possum it will get worse. If its a mouse it will stink and dry out. Time embalms anything. And a few hot days.

 

It's just those first few days when all of the bodily liquids ooze out and stain the ceiling. They're the unpleasant ones. After that the maggots clean up the meaty mess.

 

I'm the first person to try and pass obligation to the tenant, but the end issue is that something has gone wrong in the house that needs to be attended to.

If it affects the tenants enjoyment of the property, there could be issues.

Clean out the carcass, close up the entry point, and give the tenants a can a Glade 'forest fresh' to deal with any residual death smells.

 

That the thing I wasn't sure about - I had 3 mice fry themselves in an oven once, and didn't dream of calling the RE, so am not sure this is my responsibility or not?
Maybe @D.T. or @Xenia can shed some light?

 

Graphic! Yum.

 

Yeah my thoughts too - just got quoted $260 bucks to search and remove, and provide a bag of smelly stuff.

 

Send in a handy man with a cold/blocked node (sic).

 

Better check how it got in - unless very tiny there must be some entry point.
Marg

 

The short answer is yes it's your responsibility to have it removed - unfortunately the expensive way that Joel suggested. Smells are in a grey area because they cannot be photographed and proven but if a tenant was to produce a witness that stated that the house was unlivable due to a dead possum smell, they would be awarded compensation or free rent for the days they were unable to live in the house due to the smell.

 

I am similar issue with on of my properties, had to get pest people out at my cost...damn it

 

I would get a maintenance person to just go up and remove it, if it stinks, it's probably within the roof space.
If the smell lingers after the dead possum body is removed and you have an invoice saying it was removed, it will protect you.
Mice do not smell that bad, possibly a bigger animal - could be a rat too.

 

Thanks all, much appreciated!

 

The roof space is open from the garage - if they left the door open it may have got in that way.

 

You're right Paul but it depends on the kind of pest. Mice/rats reported during first 3 months of tenancy it is a landlord issue, after that it;s a tenant issue.
Possums are usually a landlord issue as a birds.

I would argue here that the tenant is not reporting a pest issue they are reporting a smell within the roof space. Regardless of the kind of pest and who is responsible for it legislation wise, landlords are always responsible for blocking entrances to pests in a rental property.

If there is a mouse problem in the house 6 months into the tenancy - tenant wears the cost for pest extermination (poor mice - makes me sad every time) but landlord has to ensure that there are not areas where they can enter the house from outside, ie holes in walls or doors or corners or roof spaces.

 

If it's a possum make sure the tenants haven't put out rat baits that the possums can access. Also pray it's not in the walls

 

Get some pest guys out. If they can not find the cause, they will lay out some odour baits around to disguise the smell. Works a treat.

 

they make it smell like bananas

 

Yuck - not sure what's worse! I hate the smell of bananas!