Is the Landlord Responsible for Rats and Mice on the Apartment Property?

Discovering rats or mice in or around your apartment can be alarming — and unsanitary. Rodents pose health risks, damage property, and can be signs of deeper maintenance problems. But who's responsible for taking action? In most cases, the landlord bears legal responsibility for addressing pest issues within the apartment complex.

Landlord’s Duty to Maintain Habitability

Landlords are legally obligated to maintain rental properties in a safe and habitable condition. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent and eliminate infestations of rodents, insects, or other pests. Rats and mice are typically classified as threats to habitability, especially when they enter living spaces, damage insulation or wires, or contaminate food and surfaces.

What Areas Are Covered?

Responsibility for pest control typically includes:

• Individual apartment units (unless tenant behavior caused the problem)
• Shared spaces such as hallways, laundry rooms, and stairwells
• Exterior areas like dumpsters, basements, garages, and landscaping where infestations may originate

When Tenants May Share Responsibility

If rodent problems are directly linked to tenant negligence — such as leaving food out, poor hygiene, or improper trash disposal inside the unit — the tenant may be held partly or fully responsible for resolving the issue. In these cases, the landlord might charge the tenant for extermination services or repairs.

What Tenants Should Do

If you notice rats or mice:

• Notify the landlord or property manager immediately, preferably in writing.
• Document the sightings with photos or videos, including any damage or droppings.
• Avoid using DIY poisons or traps without landlord permission — some leases prohibit it or require professional service.

Legal Remedies and Enforcement

If the landlord fails to take timely action, renters may be able to file a complaint with local health or housing authorities. In severe cases, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, seek reimbursement for pest control expenses, or even terminate the lease — depending on state and local laws.

In summary, landlords are generally responsible for keeping the apartment complex free from rodent infestations, both inside units and throughout common areas. Prompt communication and documentation are key if you encounter this issue — and understanding your rights can help ensure the problem gets resolved properly.

Real-World Examples: How Rodent Responsibility Works by Location

Laws and rental practices related to rodent and pest responsibility can vary depending on your city, county, or state. The examples below illustrate how different jurisdictions treat the issue — useful context to understand your rights and obligations.

• New York City, NY — The NYC Department of Health explicitly lists rodents as a violation of housing codes. Landlords are responsible for extermination and ongoing pest control in rental buildings, and tenants should report issues promptly to 311 if management fails to act.
• Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles housing codes require landlords to maintain buildings in a rodent-free condition. Landlords must address infestations in common areas and individual units, unless evidence shows tenant negligence caused the problem.
• Chicago, IL — Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) obligates landlords to keep rental units fit for human occupancy, which includes pest control. Rodent issues reported by tenants must be remedied by property management.
• Miami-Dade County, FL — County health and housing codes consider rodents a public health issue. Landlords are typically expected to coordinate pest control, especially in multi-unit properties; tenant reports trigger official inspections if unresolved.
• King County/Seattle, WA — Local housing standards require landlords to provide habitable conditions, which include freedom from vermin. Landlords must respond to rodent problems unless the lease clearly assigns pest control responsibility to tenants (rare and often limited to tenant-caused issues).

Tip for renters: Always check your local housing code or tenant handbook — many cities publish “landlord responsibilities” online. When reporting rodents, document the problem, notify your landlord in writing, and refer to specific codes when possible. In cities like NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, and Seattle, health or housing departments can enforce these requirements if a landlord fails to act.