What's different in Charlestown
Glenrock, 5 km east
NPWS puts Glenrock State Conservation Area 5 km east of Charlestown. A January 2025 NSW planning document lists rabbits, hares, red foxes, wild dogs, feral cats and black rats in the park.
Limits on what happens there
The same document says being close to homes limits feral animal programs in the park, because of visitor safety and straying pets. So keeping your own boundary tidy matters.
Black rats climb
The Australian Museum says black rats are very agile climbers, and they live in roofs, cavity walls and trees. In a block of units, that means an upper floor isn't out of reach.
Termites sit with the owner
Lake Macquarie City Council's position is that buildings are the property owner's to protect. On a strata title, ask the strata manager who arranges that for the building.
Living in a unit or strata block
In NSW, whoever engages pest work in a residential complex's common area must give residents a pesticide use notice at least 5 working days before. That includes strata managing agents who arrange the work.
There's an exception for emergency work on biting or dangerous pests, such as rodents, wasps, bees, venomous spiders or fleas, if a notice is displayed and records are kept.
Pests don't read lot boundaries, so if you're seeing something in a shared space, tell the strata manager or agent before you book anything for your own unit.
Before you ring about a unit
- Note where you saw it: your unit, the hallway, the bin room or the car park.
- Photograph droppings, trails or damage from a safe distance.
- Ask neighbours on your floor if they've seen the same thing.
- Tell the strata manager or agent if it's in a shared space.
- Tell the technician about kids, pets, allergies and fish tanks, so they can plan the treatment.
Renting in Charlestown?
Generally, NSW landlords are responsible for pests at the start of a tenancy, and tenants for pests that arise later from their own activities or lack of cleanliness. But if pests came in some other way, say through a hole in the wall, the tenant may not be responsible. If you can't agree, NSW Fair Trading has a dispute service. The end of lease rules page goes further.
Where we'd start with pests in Charlestown
In a unit, we'd talk to the strata manager first, because one treated unit won't fix a shared problem. In a house, we'd book a termite inspection if it's been a while. Then tap what you've seen, with your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
