[donLugo]

I've resided in my current apartment for almost four years without incident. Recently I've developed a pest problem (cockroaches) through no fault of my own. I keep a very clean home, don't allow trash to pile up, and store all my food properly.

When I originally moved in our apartment was staffed by two managers; one polite and professional and the other seemed to spend most of her time screaming at her kids around the property. The professional manager left or was promoted, I'm not sure, and now I'm left with only one.

I notified the current manager of the problem three times. The first two times I was assured I would receive a visit from an exterminator and they would thoroughly treat my unit. Both times, nothing was done. I politely requested a treatment again and this time a notice was placed on my door and all the adjacent units notifying us that we would be treated on a specific date and to evacuate the building for at least three hours. That day passed and I came home from work to find that clearly no one had visited my apartment. I called the next day and the manager told me that the exterminators just went to another apartment instead. I asked if I could please get something done soon and she assured me that she will send someone to my unit, without giving me a specific date or time. Needless to say, I'm skeptical anything will be done.

I want to pursue this as I simply need an exterminator to do whatever he needs to do to rid my unit of cockroaches. I know the manager can't retaliate against me, however I'm sure they will find another reason to do that if I press the issue or threaten to take some sort of action. I'm unsure how to approach this as I don't want to risk inflaming my relationship with the manager. I can't just pack up and leave, and I shouldn't have to move if I've lived in one apartment for so many years without a problem. I would like to maintain a good history here for when I am happy to and ready to move. For the record, this is in California.

[joypulv]

CA protects tenants very well.
Let her know that you have documented each time you notified her, each time you were promised, including the one when no one showed, and that the next step is the Health Dept on a certain day and time.

It seems to me that I used inexpensive bombs way back in my younger days. I do remember flea bombs; I've used those in the last 10 years, but I am sure I used them for roaches too. Any hardware store. Set a can in each room on newspaper, set the latch on the spray top, and run out of the apartment. Might cost $15 - 20.
You have to plan on washing every single washable thing you own, kitchen and anything of cloth.
They like to lay eggs on paper and they do show as tiny black specks on white paper. Toss anything you don't need.
Send a copy of the receipt and demand reimbursement or credit.

[excon]

I want to pursue this as I simply need an exterminator to do whatever he needs to do to rid my unit of cockroaches. I know the manager can't retaliate against me, however I'm sure they will find another reason to do that if I press the issue or threaten to take some sort of action. I'm unsure how to approach this as I don't want to risk inflaming my relationship with the manager.

Hello don:

It WOULD be nice if we could have our cake and eat it too... But, life doesn't always work that way... You need to make a decision. Either fight for your rights, or let the cockroaches eat your cake. There ain't no in between. That doesn't mean you need to run down to the office and DEMAND action... THAT ain't going to work... I'm a believer in the adage, "walk softly, and carry a BIG stick".. As joy explained, you live in a VERY tenant friendly state.. THAT is your stick...

Here's the walking softly part (although not TOO softly). You are very articulate and write well. Put down, in a letter, EXACTLY what you told us here, and give them 72 hours after receipt of your letter to act. Do it politely, and friendly like. Not pu$$y like. You don't need to threaten them at this point. Send your letter CERTIFIED, return receipt requested... Send a copy to her BOSS. They'll GET the message. If not, you'll NEED the letter for the judge anyway.

excon

[khaning]

Send a letter in writing requesting that they take care of the issue as promised. Conclude the number of times the manager has fell through on the promised. Sometimes if you put things in writing it rushes things along. Give them 7 days to resolve the issue and if they do not write another letter to the corporate office of the management company about you story. It will get done. They should be evicting the neighbor that is causing the mess. Until they do it will be a reoccuring issue. There are laws in substates that allow full lease break if service issues placed in writing are not addressed especially such a serious issue. You have not mentions speaking to this manager. She may be unaware that the issue has not been addressed. She mayu have delegated it. You might try to speak to the manager in person. Take pictures and send them with your note. That will get attention.

[donLugo]

Here's an update: After the no-show I went to her and she said the visit was canceled. Of course, I had to ask her about this, she had no intention of informing me. She rescheduled me for a month later, which was another no-show. I confronted her again and she said the visit was canceled again. And, again, if I hadn't contacted her she wouldn't have said anything to me. I reviewed my lease and it says if nothing is done in 30 days then notify code enforcement. She has assured me that this time it really will happen. I am going to leave her a non-threatening letter recounting my experiences as proof that I have requested three visits now. And I will be notifying code enforcement. Something must be done to remove this gastropod from the premises.

[J_9]

I had this problem at one time as well. How it got handled was through pictures. I took pictures of the beasts and gave a copy to the manager, through certified mail return receipt requested, and let him know that code enforcement will get a copy of the pictures as well, as I had them developed in triplicate.


La Cucaracha's were exterminated within 24 hours of the manager receiving the letter.

[donLugo]

Last update: I mailed a very polite, non-threatening letter documenting my unresolved attempts at getting this problem handled and requesting service in writing. Finally, the exterminator treated my apartment, after about nine hours notice. My apartment manager now treats me with absolute and utter contempt.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, and you thought they were going to love you for forcing them to spend money, hurt their budget and now perhaps have to treat all the apartments?

You could as well been mean and threatening. Remember even if you do a phone call, always follow up with a letter to confirm the result of the phone call.

But I will say that even perfectly clean people, who always put things away can and do get roaches. They can come in on your clothes or more

[ScottGem]

May be time to look for a new place to live.