Can my landlord evict me for this?

Question

i rented a house about 3 months ago and i've been very timely paying the rent and everything...

well about 2 weeks ago, i started having a MAJOR cockroach problem. they are everywhere...just to give you an idea of how bad it is.....i put an EMPTY cereal box in the trash and it was filled to the top with roaches.

i called my landlord about the roach problem and he said he couldn't do anything about it and would not pay to have the house sprayed.

can i refuse to pay the rent for this? or can he evict me?

Answer 1

You cannot refuse to pay, but like Top Realtor says.  If it is a Health risk living there those are grounds to break the lease.  However why make such a big deal.  It would cost you a lot more to move out than to but a 3 pack of fogger.

Everything is not fair in life, but fight battles that are worth something.

Answer 2

call your county seat and ask for the housing department or apartment problems.

Answer 3

It is easy to get rid of the roaches. Simply, buy baking powder and sprinkle in the crevices where the roaches hide.

Keep your unit spot clean and you will never have roaches.

Roaches need food to live, and they can survive on the bread crumbs on your floor, or the food on your plates in the sink, or even on the food in your sink ( if you are not properly clenaing it).

Also, take out your trash, daily, out of the house, until the problem is solved. Also, buy roack killer houses from the local market.

Why make your life tough? when a few dollars and cleaning will save the day?

Answer 4

get the job done but make sure yuo get a reciept give this to your landlord with the differance to your rent

Answer 5

Yes, he can evict you, and you will end up owing him rent, late fees and court costs,as well as finding it hard to rent another place with an eviciton for non-payment.

If it happened "about 2 weeks ago", and you moved in 3 months ago ... that's your problem. Clean up your living habits, because it's not the landlord's fault if they are multiplying because of  your housekeeping.

Answer 6

You cannnot refuse rent, but I will tell you what you can do, besides temporarily invest in tupperware.

Call the health department, tell them how bad the roach problem is.  They will send someone out, usually within about 48 hours, and if they discover what you did, and the problem is bad enough, they will condemn the apartment, which legallly breaks your lease and gives you the right to move.

Answer 7

In a lot of states I think you will have to pay for the spraying.  If it had happened right after you moved in, the landlord would be responsible, but since you've lived there for three months, the landlord can easily argue that the roach problem is caused by something you've done.