Rats living in house, what are tenants rights?

Question

moved into a house 3 months ago and had spotted a rat going into the vent outside of house the other day. Landlords contacted environmental health and they have put poison in vent but told us to regurly dust house and keep food off kitchen worktops to stop them form coming into the house. Have been told that they may be able to get into house.

This is our home now and have done work on the house and dont want to move house but were worried about the rats getting in as we have 2 small children - we have to wait atleast 3 weeks to see an outcome but were terrified.

can the landlord do anything more to ensure us that were safe and shouldnt worry or something?

we dont want to movce but we also dont want to stay in a house where were constantly looking out for rats and loosing sleep.

can anymore be done as we cant even afford to move out for few weeks while rats are being cleaned out?

Answer 1

well i don't know about the landlord but try getting a kid friendly cat and cat/kid friendly dog they'll just kill them

Answer 2

Your rights may vary from state to state. I am in law school in New York, and my university has a pro bono tenants' rights clinic. You may try contacting a couple of local law schools to see if someone can offer you some advice on this matter. Even if they aren't able to take you on as a client (especially now during the summer when school is out), they may be able to recommend reading material or websites that will help you understand your rights.

However, before threatening your landlord with any type of legal action, you should probably try to discuss your concerns with him/her first. I would suggest explaining your concerns (There are rats, you have small children, you are concerned for their safety staying in the house until this is completely resolved) and then asking what he might be able to do for you. Ask first, and then be quiet and see what he says. Don't mention lawyers at first (you'll put his back up) and don't tell him you can't afford a hotel (this makes your position that he should be helping you sound weaker). But be willing to think up your own creative solutions and consider his as well. Perhaps he has another vacant rental property in the area where your family could stay during this period? Try to arrive at a mutually satisfactory conclusion (stay calm and friendly, use his name when you speak to him) before you ever bring legal action up. Try to decide in advance what you'd be willing to do (would you be willing to share the cost of a hotel? Take a discount on the rent?) and then ask for a bit more to start with (different accommodation rent free).

Good luck!

(You understand of course that I am a law student, not a lawyer, so none of the above is "legal advice" per se. I am just giving advice as a private individual.)

Answer 3

We had rented a townhouse about 5 years ago, while I was pregnant with my second child.

I actually believe that we lived on a colony of mice. Because after the 2nd year of living in the house, mice had started to come from everywhere.  They were living in my vents, in one of my sofa's, and my walls. (we saw no mice prior to this time).  We complained to the landlord, and he called the exterminator who put down glue traps (could not use poison because I had a child living in the home), and we caught 25 mice in a 2 month period.  The problem became so bad, that I could not sleep at night, and started staying with relatives.  Eventually the landlord got so tired of me calling him, that he let us out of the lease.  

I think you have to allow the landlord to fix the problem first, if it occurs, and if he refuses or the problem still exists you can check with your state attorney's office in your area to see what your rights are for breaking a lease.

Answer 4

There is an electrical device you plug into a wall socket that emits a high pitched sound that rodents do not like.

I personally have never used them (have a cat, no mice problem) but I believe that Walmart or such should carry them.

Answer 5

Rat is a dietary staple in Vietnam. I say get a recipe book.