[msoftshell]

I waited to move into a duplex apartment in Boynton Beach Fla... landlord told me place woud be ready on 2/1/2012, then it was the 6th, then the 9th-needless to say we moved in on the 13th! One bathroom is not complete-hole in the ground with no toilet. We pulled the stove out to clean behind it & there was 2 big holes! Later that night you can hear rats screeching and running through the garbage and my dishes. Went into the kitchen later that night and there were 2 BIG rats on the counter. I immediatedly notified my landlord who stated he cannot do anything about the situation-it was my problem! I contacted an exterminator and was told that there was nothing to eradicate the situation and to cover the holes behind the oven and the one where the toilet is supposed to be. It has been a week the toilet still hasn't been put it and me & my daughter sleep in my bed and the rats run around all night and screech, screech. I cannot live like this feces are literally everywhere. I will be contacting the health dept. And will take my landlord to court-but I will be moving out by the weekend!

[creahands]

What is your question?

Chuck

[ScottGem]

I agree what is your question? If you are asking whether you can get out of the lease, I think you can. But you need to do it right. Document everything. Take picutres of the holes, take pictures of the rats and feces. Get the exterminator to give you a letter and call the health department.

Then give the landlord written notice, that unless the holes are repaired and the rats eliminated within one week you will consider him in breach of the lease and you will be moving out. In addition you will file suit against him for your costs.

P.S. In the future please choose your topic more carefully. This is a Real Estate law issue not Home improvement.

[J_9]

To add to the great advice above, also contact your local code enforcement agency. They are the ones who regulate whether this dwelling is up to code and habitable.