What else can I do about dirt apartments?

Question

My apartmentis roach infested.After exterminating several times myself and complaining to the apartment managers,I reported them to the state health departmet.They came by to inspect a month later when I wasn't home.Ibelieve the apartment still got a notice because they inspected my apartment.They sent me a notice saying it was my apartment and to clean it! This is a lie and I am not the only tenant who has complained aout the roaches.They can even be seen on walls outside and on the sidewalk at night.They're also in the pipes and walls. I was told I have to ask to have the apartment sprayed and they don't do routine sprays.Aren't they required to? The roaches have not gone away...as nothing was truly done to get rid of them.What else can I do?

Answer 1

You can easily control roaches on your own, rather than ask for potentially dangerous spraying of your unit.

Here's one method....

1. Mix equal parts powdered sugar and borax in a bowl.
2. Sprinkle in cracks along walls and under cupboards.
3. Keep away from children and pets.
4. Repeat as necessary for one to two weeks until all roaches have died.

You can also purchase inexpensive and effective roach traps.
Be sure to get at least one roach trap which also is designed to kill roach eggs.

Spraying won't rid your place of roaches. All it will do is kill the roaches which are exposed to the spray. Those in the walls will escape, multiply, and be back in short order. A constant routine of traps and/or borax will control your infestation.

Answer 2

First, just so that can't blame you - keep your apartment spotless. If you leave one piece of food or dirty dish in the sink, they will tell you its your fault cause your apartment is dirty. Empty your garbage every day, too.

After you've cleaned your apartment spotless send a certified letter to the apartment manager and if there is a management company, send one to their office too. State that you keep your apartment clean and have had cockroaches for xx number of months and you have told them numerous times to fix the problem. Remind them that they are required to keep your apartment safe and free from insects and pests. Demand they remedy the situation immediately. Make sure you keep a copy of the letter for yourself.

If they have the unit sprayed, and the roaches are still there, you have an obligation to tell them this (you can't just assume they know). Call them every 1 or 2 weeks AND send them a letter in the mail (keep a copy) telling them you still have roaches. You have to give them sufficient time to remedy the problem before you can take further legal action.

If they still don't go away, your only other real option is moving. It can be difficult to get rid of roaches, especially if they have infested multiple units, your neighbors might be the problem. If you have a lease and decide to move you will need to send them another certified letter stating that since they have not remedies your pest problem, they are not holding up their end of the lease and you are giving 30 days notice that you will be moving out. Pay your rent through the end of those 30 days. Make sure you take TONS of pictures of the roaches and how clean your apartment is. Take them over time. The manager may try to claim you are breaking your lease, and you may have to take them to court to get your deposit back.