Legal Rights Re: Bug Control

[krose]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Texas.

I have lived in an apartment for three years. In the year we have been overrun by bugs. Roaches, small bugs, big bugs, tiny bugs. I have contacted the management numerous times to have pest control come out and spray. Probably close to 8 times in the past 3 to 4 months. However the problem has not gotten any better. It has actually gotten worse. They started out on the countertops and have now event gone into the refrigerator and the dishwasher. Yes, the fridge. I have bugs in my fridge.

My question, of course, leads to the legal rights I have as a tenant in this situation. Is the property responsible for making sure that problems so extreme as this get fixed? I understand the logistics behind it, making sure we're not dirty and causing the bugs. I don't know how to prove that I'm not but I am obsessively clean. Even more so now that the bugs have gotten worse. What are my options?

[Mr. Knowitall]

They have "pest control come out and spray" - a professional extermination service?

What do your neighbors have to say about bugs in their apartments?

[krose]

Yes its a professional extermination service that comes out to spray. Each time I call the office to request they come out, I let them know how many times I've called before and asked for something a bit stronger.

I haven't really spoken with my neighbors about any bug problems so I'm not sure what their status is.

[seniorjudge]

Q: My question, of course, leads to the legal rights I have as a tenant in this situation. Is the property responsible for making sure that problems so extreme as this get fixed? I understand the logistics behind it, making sure we're not dirty and causing the bugs. I don't know how to prove that I'm not but I am obsessively clean. Even more so now that the bugs have gotten worse. What are my options?

A: Yes its a professional extermination service that comes out to spray. Each time I call the office to request they come out, I let them know how many times I've called before and asked for something a bit stronger.


Isn't that the answer to your question?

There is nothing known to mankind that will permanently eradicate bugs.

[aaron]

Start talking to your neighbors, and discuss with your landlord whether or not the entire building is being sprayed or just your unit. It's difficult to believe that your situation could be so bad but other tenants would find their situations acceptable. If the bugs simply move next door until the poison clears, as some bugs are apt to do, they're going to come back unless other units are also sprayed.