What to do if I live in a complex and my apartment is infested with roaches?
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What to do if I live in a complex and my apartment is infested with roaches?
I keep my apartment super clean. I have no idea where they coming from and I’m tired of them. I have a toddler and this is not healthy at all. I’ve spoken to the landlord many, many, times but he just seems not to listen to me. My concern is my son. I’m under a contract; if I wasn’t I would hve moved already.
Asked on October 9, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you are not at a point where you can break your lease, then you may have a couple of general remedies. The first is called "repair and deduct". This is where you send the landlord notice of the problem and of your intent to fix the problem if he does not resolve the issue. If he fails to do so, then you can call and exterminator and deduct the expense for the pest control from your next month's rent. Here is a link that goes into more detail on ways to send that notice: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/index.shtml
You can try to resolve it this way until your contract is up and you can locate another safer unit. If self-help does not work, then you may be able to break the lease for violation per an implied "warranty of habitability." You can also request the assistance from code officials to help you have the apartment declared and health and safety violation.
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