Resident guidance: All Housing residents - Last updated 15 May 2026
Pest control
As a landlord, we have an obligation to make sure individual properties within our rented housing, and the communal areas across all of our different types of housing, are fit for human habitation. This means they must be safe, healthy and free from things that could cause you or anyone else in your household serious harm.
We have additional environmental health duties where we have commercial catering kitchens in a location.
Together, we must remain vigilant against pest infestations and be proactive when pests are suspected or found.
In this guidance you'll find:
- What is a pest?
- What to do if you see signs of pests at your location
- Who is responsible for pest control costs at homeownership locations?
- Who is responsible for pest control costs at rented locations?
What is a pest?
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A ‘pest’ is any animal or insect which could be harmful to humans. For example pigeons, rats, mice, bedbugs, cockroaches.
What to do if you see signs of pests at your location
If you see any pests or signs of pests, let the location manager know immediately or contact the Customer Experience Hub on 0800 731 2020.
Who is responsible for pest control costs at homeownership locations?
As homeowners, you are responsible for managing and covering the cost of pest control inside your individual property.
We manage pest control in communal areas however, the cost of pest control in all communal areas of a Homeownership location will be collected via the service charge. If major damage is caused by pests which requires major works to be undertaken to a location, these costs may be allocated to the reserve/sinking within that locations service charge.
Who is responsible for pest control costs at rented locations?
Pest control costs included within the location’s service charge
The cost of preventative and reactive pest control (including beg bugs) affecting one or more individual home or communal area (but not associated with any building component failure) will be attributed to the location’s service charge.
However, in exceptional circumstances, when taking into account the entire service charge budget (including entire surplus or deficit), we may exercise our discretion in whether to recharge the full costs of pest control via the service charge.
The location is encouraged to enter a preventative pest control contract after any pest incident occurs, as this is likely to be more cost-effective long term. All costs associated with preventative contracts are attributed to the locations service charge.
Pest control costs covered by Anchor
The cost of eradicating pests that result because of a building failure i.e. broken drains (which affects one or more properties) and the cost of any associated building works i.e. removal of kitchen units, blocking up holes, will be covered by Anchor.
Pest control costs covered by individual residents
Where pest control measures arise as the result of a resident’s lifestyle choices, the full cost will be recharged to that resident. If work is required to other properties or communal areas, we will consider recharging those costs to the resident.
More guidance on healthy and safe homes
Related information for residents on how together, we can keep your home healthy and safe.
