Help. Apartment problems

[lord1234]

Ok,

Me and my girlfriend live in an apartment together. We moved in like a month and a half ago. We are enjoying living together and blah blah blah...
but there are problems...the apartment has a bug problem and also we have seen at least one mouse. I have placed traps for the mouse but the bugs are just driving us both insane. Can I force the landlord to have an exterminator come in? What rights as a tenant do I have? Can I withhold rent if he does not get an exterminator? Or does he only have to lay little bug traps down?

Both me and my girlfriend are very clean people, washing dishes as soon as they are done and we take the trash out on a daily basis.

--Lord1234

[bofh]

whoa, it's lord1234 asking for apartment advice, fancy that. I could have sworn that you knew everything about renting.

Seriously, First of all, I'd check out what your lease says about the issue.

Second, I'd check with the state goverment, which has this to say

"Cockroaches and rodents: The landlord must maintain the unit free from rodents, cockroaches, and insect infestation, if there are two or more apartments in the building."

Rent withholding is possible, but an extreme measure. Try asking nicely first

Tenant Rights

Here's a good resource for ya.

[chairman_mao]

Have you approached the landlord about the problem? What kind of bugs are they? As far as withholding rent you as a tenent must make that decision. If you are going to withhold rent you MUST put the money that would be slated for rent into an escrow account. This will protect you if there is an issue with the landlord. It sound like you have a private landlord as opposed to a management company. Withholding the rent is more likely to get your issues addressed with a private landlord but I would suggest bringing the problem to his/her attention and seeing where that gets you.

[fire1811]

i am almost positive he should take care of it but you should check your renters agreement out also.

have you told your landlord about this?

if so send him a letter about it. keep a copy for yourself so it is documented


might want to start talking to other tenents if your in a apartment that way all of you can go bug ....(he he no pun intendend) him.

if the letters dont work and you find in you agreement that he is supposed to take care of it send him one more letter stating that if he doesnt fix the problem in say 10 days that you will hire your own exterminator and will deduct it from your rent.

i would say if its not a big issue and the landlord wont respond just go get some "combat" and wax those pest.

if it is a big issue and he wont respond make sure your house is clean, no food on floor behind stove,frig and stuff like that and then contact the health department.

you will most likly be on his Sh list but.....

[lord1234]

the list of pests is this:

BOFH(just kidding)
at least one mouse
house crickets
a couple of bugs i aint sure of

I have told him verbally about them and laid mouse traps for teh mouse(no catch though).

Rent withholding is a last offense, but i can't keep spraying bug spray around...should i try to force the landlord to get a exterminator? I don't want to withhold rent because this is a very nice apartment.

[LudavicoSoldier]

Try to get your landlord to deal with it, be very serious with him/her. Withholding rent is always an option, it if comes to it. If the landlord refuses to deal with the bugs/rodents you can contact Inspectional Services for the city which you live in. I know the City of Boston takes care of probs when you report the landlord.