We're renting a townhome from Remax realty in Chesapeake Virginia that has big cockroaches, what will they do?

Question

We started living at our new townhome (rental) on the 20th and there are cockroaches. We just moved in 2 nights ago and last night we saw 3 different ones run and scurry across the floor. The realtor had promised they had sprayed for bugs after the last tenants moved out but the townhome had been vacant for 3 months. My son is SO scared because they are around 2 or 3 inches long and they are FAST. Remax are the property managers and seeing as we JUST started living here we don't know what they'll do. What are the state laws in VA for cockroaches? Has anyone personally worked with a Remax realtor and had the same problem? Will they put us up in a hotel until they take care of the problem? I REFUSE to live with bugs seeing as my 3 year old is petrified. Any information would be great, thank you.

We've already paid our security deposit of $1000 plus $1000 of December's rent and $333 prorated rate for the rest of November.

We havent had ANY food in the apartment yet seeing as we only lived there 2 days and signed the lease on the 20th. Clearly, these bugs had to come from somewhere so they were here before we moved in.

two were AMERICAN cockroaches, but the other one looked different, it had "horns" on it's back by it's rear end and it's head wasn't exposed on top like the other two but mostly tucked under it's body.

Answer 1

Inform the of the problem and then tell them that you will not pay anymore rent until they have eliminated the problem.

Answer 2

First you need to address this situation to Remax in writing, EVERYTHING you need Remax to fix or do you need and must put your requests in writing, if it ever comes down to a court fight you'll have all your back up that you did what you were supposed to do.

Since you've only been there two days and the bugs were "pre-exhisting" then Remax is responsible for calling out an exterminator to handle the roach situation. Give them a time frame in which to get this done, ie 14 days from receipt of the letter (be sure to send Certified RRR so you know they received the letter) send photos if you can. If after 14 days you haven't gotten a response you can call out the health department and have them inspect.

chances are unless it's a severe infestation they might not do anything. Your best bet would be to go to your local grocery store and put roach bait around along with spraying the area yourself until the Exterminator comes in to spray. Boric acid power around the base boards will help as they tend to track that back to the nest and kill the others. I understand your concern because if you see one in your house there are 1,000's hiding in the walls.

For your own peace of mind right now go and get your own sprays until Remax can get their own person out there to spray, it'll help in the meantime, we're not talking a lot of money here but at least you won't be at the mercy of others while you wait. See if you can pick up the bug zappers that you plug into your outlets it's supposed to send bugs scurrying inside your walls. I've had one at every place I've lived and have yet to see a cockroach in over 4 years, and I lived in Florida where they are notorious for cockroaches, they do work and they are very inexpensive.

This is not something you can break your lease over, or withhold rent for or even deduct money from your rent for supplies.

Good luck

Answer 3

Sorry, but it's not going to be anywhere near that easy. Cockroaches are dirty and nasty things, but their presence does not create a condition of 'uninhabitability'. Spraying your unit is only going to kill the roaches which happen to be exposed to the spray. Those in walls or elsewhere will wait until the 'coast is clear' and will reappear shortly.

The best way to rid your unit of these creatures is to put out roach traps for them. They can be purchased inexpensively at most hardware stores. Be sure to get at least one trap which is indicated to kill roach eggs as well. Also make sure that the areas where the roaches are seen are meticulously clean. Roaches go where they find food. If there is no food, they move on.

Eradication of roaches isn't something the management can do on its own. They are going to need your cooperation and assistance.

The following URL is a good guide (there are many on the internet) on steps to take in handling these creatures.

Follow up: Don't be so sure you didn't bring them in with you when you moved. Cockroaches are secretive little creatures and can hide in just about anything. A person does not have to be sloppy or dirty to bring a roach visitor along. If you placed any of your moving containers anywhere for even a few hours, they may have moved in 'for the ride'.

Answer 4

Virginia State Law reads:
§ 55-225.3. Landlord to maintain dwelling unit.

A. The landlord shall:

1. Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;

2. Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;

Some states make the landlord responsible for providing a vermin-free home-- after that it's the tenant's responsibility. Virginia seems to have no such requirement, per se.

#2 above MIGHT be translated as "bug-free" and it might not. You might remind ReMax (in writing, please- let's keep a record) that they are required to come out and keep the premises "fit and habitable" and see what they do. Otherwise, you may be getting a case of roach motels from Home Depot.

Bugs are a natural part of the world and outnumber us by a factor of a thousand or more. You can't have a bug-free home. You HAVE to live with bugs. The questions here is, "How many?" So yo have to be realistic in your expectations.

But I'll bet they come out and spray again for you.

Answer 5

Well, I really like what everybody else has said, but I have a slightly different take...

It is the responsibility of ReMax to take care of this. If it is not written in the lease, then MORALLY they should do something about it.

Until then, if they refuse to have somebody come out and spray, tell them you are going to do it, and if YOU pay for somebody to come out, you are not going to pay that amount of your rent.

Keep record of EVERYTHING! Phone calls, letters, who you spoke with, EVERYTHING.

I know they are nasty. If they are the big water bug "roaches", they are not nearly as nasty as the real "little" roaches. Big and scary, yes. Filthy, no.

Good luck, and make that call TODAY!! :)

Answer 6

These are not "cockroaches" in the true sense.In the South they are called water bugs, mostly because they hang around water in your house.They are disgusting, but almost impossible to get rid of entirely.Since you just moved in, they will go away pretty soon.Keep areas dry under sink cabinets,and under the refrigerator.Put boric acid powder in areas you see them.
There is not a single house in the south that hasn't seen these water bugs.You will have to get used to it.Sorry

Answer 7

ask re max for a copy of the bill to prove they sprayed, if its a joined unit they have to spray next door, or it wont work, plus remax has to spray again, until then get roach spray keep your bills photo copy them and send it to them, also get chinese chalk, they wont pass that stuff, also call ur health department on them its hazarded u have a 3year old.

good luck!!!

Answer 8

from experience cockroaches cause havoc in homes. they even make holes in fabrics, cockroaches got into my cupboard where i kept my kitchen napkins and they made holes in them, whilst their eggs/larvea where stuck in the napkins. they have been known to spread rabies, maybe this is farfetched but i have heard. they are horrible, chew anything .
spray the whole house with insecticide and keep mothballs everywhere after that, make sure cupboards in especially your kitchen is not damp. dont keep leftover food in the open at night (they thrive at night), kitchens should be clean, garbage disposed off and not kept indoors

Answer 9

spray insecticide everywhere. Under kitchen sinks, cupboards, toilets, bedrooms, closets, etc. Do these regularly till they are all eradicated. They breed fast so do not waste time. Spray now.

Answer 10

If the roaches were there when you moved in ask them for half the rent!