Can I Sell a House That Has a Rat Infestation? | Critter Control

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Whether you represent a homeowner who’s had it with a rat infestation or recently took on a realty project that now involves one, you’re going to need immediate answers to one question: “Can I still sell this house?”

Yes, you’re legally entitled to put the property up for sale while it has a wildlife issue; however, it certainly won’t be easy without solving it beforehand. While there are no specific laws preventing sellers in Florida from listing properties with pest problems, there are still a handful of other consequences to those that do so — especially without disclosing them.

Ways a Rat Infestation Affects Your Listing

Even in the beginning stages of a rat infestation, animal damage can greatly interfere with the listing process. Because, when creating the listing, Florida selling agents are required to include details about certain parts of the home, including:

  • Structure – When listing a home, realtors must explain any previous structural damage, including fire. Chewing through wires, rats can cause extreme electrical hazards that may lead to shortages or sparks.
  • Plumbing – All past and present plumbing leaks must be reported in the listing agreement. When looking for water, however, rats often chew through pipes to access the inside of a home which causes cracks, holes, and full-blown plumbing problems.
  • Roof – Realtors must detail not only roof leaks, but the steps taken to repair them. When rats enter a property through the roof, they can create enlarged openings that lead to leaks and eventual water damage.

Trying to hide the cause of each issue might not be difficult, but failing to address them will definitely reflect poorly on your listing agreement.

The Risks of Selling a Rat Infested Home

You might not run into legal trouble for listing a home with a rat infestation, but you’ll certainly be taking a gamble in just about every other department. Take a look at the potential risks you’ll face when failing to disclose the issue.

  • Length of listing – Buyers aren’t going to jump at the opportunity to secure a home after they uncover an infestation, which means your listing is going to sit on the market and lose even more value over time.
  • Property value – Once word gets out that your listing is littered with rats, the property value is sure to plummet.
  • Reputation – While you might talk up certain parts of each property, you should never stretch the truth about a wildlife issue. When buyers find out that you hid a pest problem in your listing agreement, they aren’t likely to spread the positive words in the community.

Even if you come clean to interested buyers, many of them will feel uncomfortable purchasing from a seller who chose to leave the home as-is. Therefore, the only way to protect your reputation, buyers’ interests, and the value of the property are to resolve the issue entirely.

How to Sell a Home With Wildlife Issues  

While selling a home with a wildlife issue isn’t practical, it isn’t impossible. However, you will have to dedicate some extra time and effort to eliminating the problem, restoring the damage, and preventing the return. To get started on a comprehensive solution for your for-sale property, partner with the licensed wildlife technicians at Critter Control® of Tampa.

Our effective rat removal strategy is a four-step process, and it includes inspection, removal, restoration, and prevention. Schedule a complimentary examination of your listing and get started on step one today by giving us a call.

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