PCS Move-In Rodent Checklist for Killeen Rentals
Check under sinks, the garage, closets and the attic hatch on day one. Photograph anything you find, note it on the move-in form and tell the landlord in writing.
Call a local technician (254) 276-0111If you are moving to Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove or Nolanville on orders, you will probably rent. Rental homes that sat empty between tenants are a common place for mice to settle, and the time to find out is before your boxes arrive, not after. This checklist covers what to look for, how to document it and what Texas law says. It is general information, not legal advice.
Before you sign
- Ask the landlord or manager when the home was last treated for pests and by whom.
- Read the lease for who handles pest control.
- Check that the lease includes the Texas statement that tenants may have special rights to end a lease early, including for military deployment or transfer.
- Ask whether the home sat empty, and for how long.
Day one walk-through
Bring a flashlight and your phone. Look in:
- Under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, especially where pipes enter the wall
- Behind and under the stove and refrigerator if you can see
- Kitchen drawers and the back of lower cabinets
- The pantry and laundry area
- The water heater and HVAC closets
- The garage: corners, along walls, the bottom of the garage door
- The attic hatch: open it and look for droppings near the opening
- Closets and the floor along baseboards
You are looking for droppings, gnawed edges, shredded nesting material and a musky smell. Our rat vs mouse droppings article helps tell them apart.
Document it
Photograph anything you find with the date showing. Note it on the move-in condition form. Then tell the landlord in writing and keep a copy. Under Texas Property Code section 92.052, a landlord's duty to repair applies to conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant once the tenant gives notice and is current on rent. Written notice is required if your written lease requires it, and it is the safest record either way. See the tenant and landlord guide.
Before the household goods arrive
- Wipe and disinfect cabinets and shelves before unpacking food and dishes.
- Do not stack moving boxes against garage walls for months; mice nest in cardboard.
- Move pantry food into hard containers with lids.
- Set a few snap traps under sinks and in the garage, against the wall with the baited end toward the wall, as the CDC recommends.
- If you find droppings, clean them the CDC way: air out the area, wear gloves, spray with disinfectant and wipe up. Do not sweep or vacuum.
Your lease rights on orders
Texas Property Code section 92.017 lets a servicemember end a lease early after receiving orders for a permanent change of station or to deploy with a unit for 90 days or more, with written notice and a copy of the orders. For a monthly lease, the termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following notice. Keep this in mind when you sign, and when the next set of orders comes.
When you move out
Rodents also matter at the other end of a lease. Before you move out, empty the pantry completely, wipe the cabinets, and leave nothing in the garage. If you had a rodent problem during the lease, keep copies of your written notices and any reports from the landlord's provider; they help if questions come up about the security deposit. If you are storing household goods while you move, use a storage unit that is clean and sealed, and pack food items separately.
If you are moving into a new build
New homes on the south side of Killeen can see mice in the first year while nearby land is graded. Ask the builder about gaps covered under warranty.
On-post housing
If you are assigned to family housing on Fort Hood, the process is different. Cavalry Family Housing's pest FAQ says residents cannot hire outside pest vendors directly and should report rodent activity and submit a service request through the Maintenance Solution Center or resident app. Free traps and bait stations are available from the community self-help location. See the Fort Hood housing page.
Common questions
- What if I find mice after I move in?
- Tell your landlord in writing right away, with photos and dates. Set snap traps in the meantime and keep food in hard containers.
- Can I break my lease over mice?
- Texas law has specific rules for repair-related termination. Read section 92.056 or get legal advice. Military orders give you a separate right under section 92.017.
- Should I store boxes in the garage?
- Short term is fine. For months of storage, use plastic bins with lids and keep them off the walls.
- Can I hire my own exterminator in on-post housing?
- Cavalry Family Housing says residents cannot contract with outside pest vendors directly. Submit a service request instead.