If you’re renting a flat with a balcony and pigeons are becoming a problem, you might be wondering whether you can just arrange netting yourself and deal with it. The short answer is that in most cases, tenants cannot install balcony netting without their landlord’s written permission. Even if the intention is good and the result looks tidy, installing netting on a rented property without consent can put you in breach of your tenancy agreement.
This article explains why, who is actually responsible for pigeon problems in rented properties, and what steps to take if your landlord is slow to act.
Why Tenants Cannot Usually Just Go Ahead
Most standard tenancy agreements in England include a clause preventing tenants from making alterations to the property without the landlord’s written consent. Installing netting involves fixing anchor points and a frame to the balcony wall or railing, which counts as an alteration even if the end result looks discreet.
Installing netting without permission could put you in breach of your tenancy agreement, result in deposit deductions to cover removal or repair costs at the end of the tenancy, and create liability if the netting causes any damage to the property or a neighbouring property. Even if no visible damage occurs, the issue is consent rather than outcome. A landlord who discovers unauthorised fixings on their property is entitled to take action regardless of how well the job was done.
The sensible approach is always to get written agreement before anything is installed. In most cases a straightforward email to your landlord or letting agent explaining the problem and what you’d like done about it is enough to get the process moving.
Who Is Responsible for Pigeon Problems in a Rented Property?
Responsibility for pest control in a rented property depends on the cause of the problem and the terms of the tenancy agreement, but there are some general principles that apply to most situations.
Landlords are typically responsible for structural issues that allow pests access to the property, pigeon problems that existed before the tenancy began, and installing proofing measures on the exterior of the building. If pigeons are nesting on a shared roof, under solar panels, or on external ledges, that is generally a landlord or freeholder responsibility rather than a tenant one.
Tenants are generally responsible for keeping the property clean and not doing anything that attracts pests, reporting problems promptly rather than letting them develop, and not making an existing problem worse through neglect.
In a managed block or leasehold flat, there may also be a freeholder or managing agent involved, particularly for anything that affects the exterior of the building or shared areas. It is worth checking your lease as well as your tenancy agreement if you are unsure who to approach first.
What Should a Tenant Do If Pigeons Are a Problem?
The most effective first step is to raise the issue with your landlord in writing. Email is the best format because it creates a clear record of when you reported the problem and what response you received. Be specific about what is happening, where the pigeons are roosting or nesting, what mess or damage they are causing, and what you would like done about it.
If your landlord does not respond or is slow to act, you can follow up in writing and reference your right to a property that is free from pest infestation under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. You can also contact your local council’s environmental health team if the problem is serious and persistent, and request that a professional pest control company visits to carry out an inspection and produce a written report. A report from a BPCA certified technician setting out the extent of the problem and the recommended solution gives your landlord something concrete to act on and can help move things along if there has been reluctance to engage.
Can Landlords Refuse to Install Netting?
Yes. Landlords are not automatically obliged to install pigeon netting unless the infestation constitutes a genuine health hazard or a breach of the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment. However, most reasonable landlords will take action when presented with clear evidence of a persistent problem, particularly where guano is accumulating, since pigeon droppings carry bacteria and present a genuine health risk to anyone using the balcony.
For landlords, dealing with a pigeon problem promptly is almost always the more cost-effective decision. Guano damage to balcony surfaces, drainage channels and building fabric accumulates quickly and becomes expensive to put right. A professional netting installation is a one-off cost that protects the property long term and prevents a much larger remediation bill further down the line.
Getting Netting Installed With Your Landlord’s Agreement
If your landlord agrees to have netting installed, the process is straightforward. Bugwise will carry out a free site survey, assess the balcony, and recommend the right mesh specification and fixing method for the property. If guano is present, we will carry out safe removal and biocide disinfection before the netting goes on so that everything is dealt with in a single visit.
We work regularly with landlords, letting agents and tenants across London and Essex and are used to the practical side of working in managed buildings and rented properties. If it helps, we are happy to speak directly with a landlord or managing agent before the job is booked to explain the installation and answer any questions they have.
Need Balcony Netting for a Rented Property?
Bugwise works with tenants, landlords and letting agents across London and Essex. We use non-invasive fixing methods where required and are happy to liaise directly with landlords or managing agents before installation.
If you’d like to understand more about what to expect from a professional installation, our guide on how long balcony netting lasts covers materials, lifespan and what to look for when choosing a company.
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