If I am renting In California, does the landlord need to pay for Pest Control, we have a horriable ant problem, and where can I find documentation?

Each state's probably different on this. Try HUD website for laws re renters.
Renting - HUD (http://www.hud.gov/renting/index.cfm)

If I am renting In California, does the landlord need to pay for Pest Control, we have a horriable ant problem, and where can I find documentation?


My research indicates that unless pest control is covered by the lease OR the ants make the premises uninhabitable or unsafe, no, the landlord is not responsible.

How long have you lived there?

The other question will be where are the ants and what is bringing them inside? You must make some attempt to mitigate (lessen) your damages with ant traps and the like.

Obviously if the ants are a health concern you must send the landlord a certified letter and ask him to control the situation. Or maybe he'll simply volunteer to pay if you simply ask. Hard to say.

Each state's probably diferent on this. Try HUD website for laws re renters.
Renting - HUD (http://www.hud.gov/renting/index.cfm)



You would not know this but on the legal threads the preferred method of answering is to give the answer and then list the site (if you wish); a "go here and look" answer does not answer the question.

And that site was not helpful. It's California landlord/tenant law, not HUD.

If you are in southern California, they are probably coming inside looking for water. I have seen trails of ants that look like they were drawn with magic marker going up two floors in order to get to a bit of water left in a sink. If you can find the trail, vinegar will work surprisingly well to keep them out.

JudyKay - thanks for the tip on the board. But the HUD site covers state tenant laws besides those under HUD (the link was 3-4 down)

JudyKay - thanx for the tip on the board. But the HUD site covers state tenant laws besides those under HUD (the link was 3-4 down)



Sorry - I didn't see it. It just kicked me to a list of States which gave me a choice of sites with information on various subjects. No direct information.

If you have a horrible ant problem would suggest you get Sweet N Low powder and dust that in the ant trails and where the ants come into the home. Find all cracks that they are getting into. Your ant problem should be zero within a few days. Sweet N Low is basically insecticide used in foreign countries. Insects love it. That's what I use for ant control inside and outside my home. No more ants... even the huge carpenter ants love it.