Who do we contact about a roach infestation in our apartment?

Question

Hi everyone. I had another question. We have been dealing with a roach infestation for going on 9 months now. The previous owners were slobs and the apartment manager did now clean the appliances properly so therefore they have been infested in our appliances. We keep our place very clean but there are tons of roaches everywhere. All managment has done is sprayed and it hasnt helped. We want to seek legal action or contact a health board. Does anyone know of the proper procedures to go bye? They are demanding a new deposit out of us to be moved to a new apartment and we have tried to fight it, but even corporate wants the deposit. Help!!!!!!

Answer 1

Department of health. Also, contact Department of Housing.

Also, you might want to try Roach Pruf a product sold in hardware stores. It really gets rid of roaches, but takes about 3 to 4 weeks.

Answer 2

Depends where you live. I suggest you start by googling "tenant rights California" (of course, substitute your state, maybe also google your city) and see if you can find an appropriate tenants' advocacy group with legal aid. The local health board, department of housing and local HUD office might also provide some assistance for you.

Generally, spraying is not really going to help an entrenched infestation - if the roaches have well established nests you'll need to move as the only real recourse is "nuke, repave, rebuild". Roaches are famous for being the hardiest, toughest suckers to get rid of once they'e set in.

Answer 3

When my children were young, I had a ton of roaches in my house. When You open the doors, they would fall on your head (roaches).. After using COMBAT DISKS (roach birth control), every 3 months, i have maybe seen 2 roaches about 10 years ago since 1989. It is not a shame to have roaches... it is a shame to keep them. If you live in an apt. complex, suggest it to your neighbors too. That would help.

Answer 4

You can either contact the Health Department, or you may want to do a search for "Fair Housing Law" and the state that you are in. In some states there are lawyers who will take on Fair Housing violations Pro Bono.

Answer 5

I'd go straight to the top and contact the King of the Cockroaches!! Those little buggers have no decision-making authority, but you can probably strike a deal with the King, like "if I leave a few oreos on the floor each night, you call off the troops..."

Worth a try.

Answer 6

If they have failed to deal with an ongoing problem, you might be better to just move to a completely different place. Why stick with the same owner? Only thing is, you'll need to document that you have given the landlord ample opportunity to remedy the problem. Contact your local tenant union or legal aid society for more information.

Answer 7

As Ivy said your local health department. And if it was me I would talk to the landlord again, cause he/she should be doing something to make sure you are in a healthy environment. You SHOULD not need to pay a new deposit though, cause the previous tenants were slobs.

Answer 8

I was faced with this problem once before too in Phx, AZ. We got out of our lease pretty easily. They really don't like you hanging around in their lobby talking about the roach problem. Especially around prospective tenants.

Answer 9

I would call the housing authority in your city. They can help you and will force the apartment management to fix your problem and move you to a uninfested apartment! Good luck!

Answer 10

I am not sure where you are in the World but in Australia we have a tenancy tribuneral and the REIV can be contacted re the problem you are going through. Hope it gets resolved for you and soon :)