building contracts
Question
responsibilities of a land lord....?
I have a question about what my land lord should be responsible for. See we have a bat problem in our house/apartment building. There are drop down ceilings and so far i've had my cats kill 4 bats in about the past week and a half. Total i've had about 15 bats in my house in the past 2 1/2 years. The land lord has spoken with a pest control person about the bats the winter before last and was told it would cost 5k for bat removal, etc but that the work was not guaranteed...so he decided not to do it. Since he decided not to do it i spoke with him about allowing me to have cats in my apartment...as the lease says no animals permitted. He allowed me to have cats because of the bat problem but has not put anything in writing to that affect. I have 3 children and they are all young, i'm grateful that my cats have gotten all the bats thus far this year, but i also know that 3 years ago not even 1/2 mile down the road there was a bat problem in a home and a couple of cats had to be put down because they contracted rabies from being bit by bats...now my cats are immunized but obviously we are not. Is there a way for me to find out if the bats in my home have rabies or not...and is there anything i can do about the land lord not taking care of this problem with out creating too much of a stink and possibly loosing my place because of it.. ( as i said, he did not put into writing that i was allowed to have my cats) I live in PA and it's up to the land lord to make sure that all building codes are up to date here as well...however i'm not sure about the issue of bats, etc. So basicly i need to contact him, have him put in writing that i'm allowed to have cats here and then call the health department and tell them what is going on. as i said before this is not an apartment persay this is a house...that has been made into apartments, it's obvious that they have to find a way in and out and trying to figure out how they are getting into my apartment is like trying to find the perverbial needle in a hay stack honestly...there are a few tiles in the drop down celiling that are slightly bowed, could be there.. there is quite a few places that they could be getting in at and the land lord does not want to do crap about it...why should I have to do everything?? I'm paying rent, i do not own!
5 months ago - 6 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
I would contact Animal Control. They should have traps or people to come remove the bats. As you said the bats carry rabies and could harm your children. As for the cats, you might have trouble explaining breaking your lease terms, since what the landlord verbally said is not written in the contract.
by Andrew
5 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
I don't know the answer to your specific question, but I do have an idea that you may not have thought of. I have no idea whether or not your apartment building has adjacent property, but if it does, maybe your landlord could put up bat boxes, away from the building. Bats love them and would much rather live in them than around and in buildings. I think it could really help keep te bats away from your home and kids. Just an idea. I hope it works out- sounds awful!
by Elaine- 5 months ago
Hi, I have 5+ experience in property management, and from my knowledge any pest problem or issue that can be a hazard to your health is AGAINST THE LAW! in other words, were the bat present when you began renting the home?, Did the manager/ property owner bring it up to your attention? Was there a promise for extermination prior to leasing the home? Were you aware of the problem prior? If yes did you agree to exterminate at your own cost? I dont quite know the landlord tenant laws where you live. I live in California, and from my knowledge here, it is the reponsibilty of the landlords to keep the building codes uo to date, any such violations can be fined esp, pest. So what you have to do is CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ASAP! Let them know about your problem, although the exterminator did not guarantee successful results IT'S NORMAL, why? because they dont want to get sued or give a refund if results are not met. Regarding the cats, what you can do is send the manager / owner an email, emails are always great evidence Why? because verbal agreements are always thrown out in a court of law. So have something in writing, its important! Good luck with the bats, cats, your chuldrens health, your health, and all ther rest!
by Rose L- 5 months ago
well for the first time in years, I am the "odd man out." Bats. YOU already know about the joke "Bats in the belfry." I am stunned that bats can live in any property in a city. They have to have access. They have to get around to eat. So, tell me, where are they getting access? They mostly live in trees and caves because of UNOBSTRUCTED ACCESS. Apartments, on the other hand, have nothing but obstructions. I would almost come there and get rid of them for free because THIS City BOY does not believe the problem exists. Let me continue, even if I sound like a jerk!: I would, if I was there tomorrow morning,. go to every building in the complex. I would gain legal access to every unit. From the outside first, I would start at the basement and with a ladder, with flash lights and whatever, I would look over every inch of the outside of every building. --they have to have access!!! If I saw nothing from the ground level to the top of the building, I would then, visit every building and seek holes in ceilings, ground levels and closets. Again, let's assume that bats are there. in an attic. an attic that has not been visited in years. They must get in through openings and out through openings. Those are musts, aren''t they? so, if you find them in the attic, they have to get out to eat. [or they bring their food inside to eat it] If you find HOW they can possibly be getting into the attic, seal that route off. cover it up. If there are broken windows, boards, WHATEVER, block their routes of entrance and escape and in 3-5 days they will be dead. NOT that I am advocating you kill them but you said you want them gone. YOU also say that you have bats in the house. Again, they got in because someone left the door open or there are UNSEEN entry ways that you can find....... [to find entry ways, get out of the house, set off a bug bomb and from the outside with the doors and windows shut,. look for the smoke exiting from the house. I bet in 48 hours, with the above foremost in your mind your bats either escape never to return or they die where they lie now. IF I am missing something here, PLEASE someone inform me......I love to learn new things.
by kemperk- 5 months ago
i am a landlord of six properties in oz report this bonehead to the authorities. are u only living there because its cheap. at what price,your kids get bit. look for another house /apartment building report him to the health & envirenment office at your local council. he is responsible for u & your kids safety,what do u think would happen if u or one of your kids got crook,because of these animals. regards kirrakid oz
by peter s- 5 months ago
The pest control people should be able to pinpoint where they are coming in, and then the landlord has to get a contractor to come out and seal up that part of the house. I would be scared the cat might get bit. That sounds dangerous. Even if they are immunized, who knows what other diseases bats might carry!
by Help Is Here!- 5 months ago