Does a tenant have the legal right to terminate a lease early due to continuing rodant issues? Apartment is located in DC

Have you talked to the landlord about this issue?

Was this an issue when you first moved in?

Were you aware of this issue before you signed the lease?

Didn't know it was an issue when lease signed. Have talked to landlord several times... he has seen them in traps & running through the apartment. Claims he had an exterminater over 4 months ago but refused to give me copy of paperwork to prove this. Said I had no right to it. Claims another one came to give an estimate 2 days ago & that he has 2 weeks to decide to have them do the work. Since the first occurrence.. also have had roaches, flesh flies and various other insect issues everywhere in the apartment,, even my bed!

You have to document this. Send a letter to the landlord by certified mail and a copy by regular mail. In the letter you should say that the landlord has been notified several times of the problem and it has still not been remedied. Then say that if the situation is not completely remedied within the next 10 days you will have no choice but to terminate the lease, move out and hold the landlord responsible for your costs. Make sure you take a ton of pictures and send some copies with the letter. Hold on to all of your copies for court in case the landlord tries to sue you.

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Originally Posted by LisaB4657

You have to document this. Send a letter to the landlord by certified mail and a copy by regular mail. In the letter you should say that the landlord has been notified several times of the problem and it has still not been remedied. Then say that if the situation is not completely remedied within the next 10 days you will have no choice but to terminate the lease, move out and hold the landlord responsible for your costs. Make sure you take a ton of pictures and send some copies with the letter. Hold on to all of your copies for court in case the landlord tries to sue you.

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I am also lead to believe now that the landlord doesn't have a BBL or cert of occ. To even be renting this basement apartment?

If the apartment is illegal then depending on the laws in your location you may be entitled to sue him for the return of all of the rent you previously paid. However if you intend to report him then you'd better be ready to move out immediately. If the apartment is illegal you will have to be out right away.

Do you know how I can find out the specific laws for my area concerning this and to be possitive that he's renting illegally?

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Originally Posted by cpcindy

do you know how i can find out the specific laws for my area concerning this and to be possitive that he's renting illegally?

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See if the local building dept has a website.

You can call the building dept. and ask them general questions without giving them your address. Just ask them if a homeowner is required to get a certificate of occupancy or any other type of certificate in order to rent out a basement apartment.

Will my lease still be binding if I find out it is an illegal apartment