In a building, pests ignore property lines. Rats come up from cellars and sewers, cockroaches travel through service ducts, bed bugs move from flat to flat via skirting boards and sockets. Treating a single home often just moves the problem.
Knowing who has to act, and on which part of the building, saves valuable time.
Common areas are the syndic's job
Article 18 of law no. 65-557 of 10 July 1965 gives the syndic responsibility for administering the building, preserving it, safeguarding and maintaining it. In an emergency, the syndic may on its own initiative have the work needed to safeguard the building carried out. Treating cellars, courtyards, bin stores, ducts and car parks falls within this remit.
Article 119 of the model departmental health regulations (règlement sanitaire départemental) asks building owners to take the necessary measures to stop rodents getting in, to check cellars, courtyards and refuse areas regularly, and to act without delay when rodents are found. Numbering can vary between départements: refer to the local text.
Private units are for owners and occupants
Inside a flat or a commercial unit, it is up to the co-owner or occupant to call in a professional. Article 121 of the same model regulations forbids occupants from letting waste build up that attracts insects and rodents, and from obstructing general insect or rodent control operations decided for the building.
A building-wide plan rather than isolated call-outs
The most effective treatments follow the same logic as the Sentinel Protocol:
- Inspect: survey of the common areas and the homes or businesses reported, with entry points identified.
- Treat: work on the same day, or over a short period, in the common areas and the units concerned, announced by notice.
- Sanitise: proofing of basement vents, duct penetrations, inspection chambers and cellar door bottoms.
- Follow up: follow-up visits as set out in the protocol, photo report sent to the syndic and the residents' council, active vigilance between visits.
Key points
- 01Common areas: the syndic has them treated, urgently if needed.
- 02Private units: the co-owner or occupant.
- 03The departmental health regulations require prompt action against rodents.
- 04A coordinated, monitored plan greatly reduces the risk of a return.
This article gives general information, up to date on its publication date. It does not replace legal or medical advice tailored to your situation.