How do I get my lanlord to address a pest problem?

Question

I rent an apt in Berwyn,IL and 2 months ago tenants moved in that had roaches.My landlord will not address the issue and my expensive electronics are ruined plus my kid has asthma.Should I with hold rent until the problem is resolved?

Answer 1

missy mae is correct with the certified letter. Be careful with the wording in the letter. Put in the letter, 'I had informed you about the roach problem in my apartment at _______ on the week of _____, 2007. This problem is not only a health issue but the roaches has also ruined my _____, _____, _____ & _____. I would like to know when you plan to handle this problem. Please inform me of your answer within 10 days.' Or something like that. No threats and you didn't give any or else. Definitely, mention a time frame you expect an answer. Hear nothing & letter signed as received, now you can go to city hall's health dept to force the roach problem and also you had notified landlord of the damaged goods for small claims court if necessary. Take pictures of roaches, equipment, food, etc.. that was damaged. Do not get rid of the equipment and have signed statement from repair shop that it was damaged by roaches, etc.. Cover all your bases for action. After the mentioned time frame you gave in letter; get a free consultation with lawyer for next step to recover electronic losses such as withholding rent & best way to inform landlord on what they owe, etc...

Answer 2

Do not, under any conditions, with-hold the rent. This will, in almost all states get you evicted. It is actually illegal to withhold rent.

Go and see the landlord, tell him what the problems are and ask him what he can do about it. See what he has to say before you go off the handle. He didn't ask you to live there, keep this in mind at all times, he can rent to someone else.

In the first place,, he may have a insect service that services him. Ask.
If you go off the handle, expect retorts that you may not like.

I was told if I didn't like it. to move, that's it. I had to bomb my own place. In fact, I had to do it twice.

I later became involved in this business, the Rental Management business and saw what they go through. Be patient, ask don't demand and tell him the problem.

The county, the health department, they aren't going to do anything but create a problem for you, be ready to move if you involve them.

Answer 3

landlords are supposed to fix a problem within 48 hours. you can call a lawyer referral hotline, or just any lawer that says they specialize in tenant law (in the phonebook) and ask who to contact in your city or state about deadbeat landlord. there should be a government organization that you report this to that will handle everything for free.

i have heard of alot of people who just contact their local news channels and once a news camera team comes knocking on your landlord's door, they will probably make some changes.

also, you can get renters insurance through your car insurance company and it's usually not any more than 20 dollars a month. that should cover any damage that happens, although i think your land lord is legally required to.

your best bet is to start taking pictures of the bugs and of your damaged equipment and write down, like a diary, every incident that happnes. it will help you soo much in your case.

Answer 4

Of first concern is your childs asthma which can be aggravated by the use of some of the chemicals that are sprayed. A couple of roach motel baits in strategic places will help, and maybe some dry chemicals around the pipes under the sink and bathroom pipes as they use these for raceways.
Also place one close to the electrical panel if it is in your apartment as they use that place as a convention center (i used to do a lot of electrical work at Chinese food joints). Keep the bait stations at all times, and watch what your landlord sprays with as you might be making a trip to the ER with your child depending on the spray.

Answer 5

Yes, withhold the rent, but do it legally. Contact an attorney(most bar associations have a free referral svc), and request that the money be put in an Escrow acct. That way the landlord has no way to evict, or even start procedings, since the rent is paid---subject to improvements (that you, as a renter, are entitled to) Good luck

Answer 6

Stop paying rent until the problem is fixed.

In Illinois, every residential lease includes an implied warranty of habitability. If it is uninhabitable, tell the landlord via certified mail. Tenants may enforce this warranty in affirmative lawsuits, or in defense to eviction actions based on their non-payment of rent.

Though, if your son has asthma, I would move (his health comes first) and then suit the landlord for your moving costs and/or security deposit. He breached the warranty.

Answer 7

A better solution would be to simply take them to court. There are laws about living conditions and landlord responsibilities. You can take them to small claims court and you could easily win and have the problem taken care of.

Answer 8

The united states's Cup is being held in San Francisco next week. San Francisco will make thousands and thousands and individuals may have a robust time. i'd be watching from my bedroom window. existence is powerful.

Answer 9

send him a certified letter , make him sign it to show that he had reseaved it..u have the date on it when it was sent with the problem that you need to be handled....then if he doesn't take care of if take your copy that you made before you sent it to him to the health department

Answer 10

go to the local health or county health board and file a complaint