It has recently come to the attention of the Structural Pest Control Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that some real estate firms are performing structural pest control services on rental properties which they handle under property management agreements.

Under the North Carolina Structural Pest Control Law, it is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to engage in any phase of structural pest control without first securing the proper license from the Structural Pest Control Committee.

Although property owners and their regular employees are exempt from the provisions of this law, an employee (or agent) of a real estate firm which manages rental property for the owner, would not be exempt because he is considered an employee (or agent) of the real estate firm and not the property owner or lessees. Likewise, the real estate firm itself would be considered an independent contractor rather than an employee of the property owner. Therefore, neither the (management) firm nor its employees or agents qualify for exemption from the Structural Pest Control Act.

Individuals found to be in violation of this act, are subject to fine or imprisonment or both.