I mονеd іntο mу apartment іn November, аnd I аm fаіrlу сеrtаіn thеrе wаѕ a roach problem before I mονеd іn. It іѕ a 3 decker аnd аll thе residents οf thе building аrе complaining аbουt thе roach problem thаt іѕ pretty evident thаt wе hаνе now. Shουld I assume thаt іt іѕ nοt ουr fault thаt thеу аrе thеrе? Arе mу landlords responsible fοr taking care οf thе issue? If ѕο, whеrе dο I find information regarding thіѕ?
Yουr landlord іѕ responsible fοr getting rid οf thе roaches regardless οf whеn thе problem ѕtаrtеd.
Sounds like it’s not your fault the roaches are there. It seldom is the tenant’s fault.
In every state, the landlord is totally responsible for extermination services. Find the applicable state law by going to the library. Ask the reference librarian for the state code, and she will direct you to the index volume. Look at the landlord/tenant section and make copies of the relevant parts. As a tenant you really need to know the law anyway.
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Your landlord is responsible for getting rid of the roaches regardless of when the problem started.
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Your landlord is responsible for due diligence. If he or she has tried to correct the issue with you and the other residents and they keep coming back it falls on you and the other tenants. You all must work together to remove the infestation. After the bombs or poison is put out the entire building must be cleaned. All dead roaches must be removed as well (the eggs can survive inside the dead mother). It is a pain, but if done right you will be roach free as long as the source is not you or your fellow tenants.
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Former building inspector.