Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

I have rats for 6 weeks, do I still have to pay rent?

I have been living at my apartment for 3 1/2 years. I pay my rent every month and rarely complain about anything. For the first time, and for the past 6 weeks, I have had rats in my apartment. I contacted my leasing manager for assistance and did not get any help until I contacted the property owner's website (Archstone Proprties. My leasing manager had people come in and spray. No help. Then they set traps. No luck. Then it was never followed up on. It has now been another two weeks, and the rats are destroying my apartment. I just paid my rent on 12/03/00 in the amount of $719.00. I haven't been at my place for over two weeks. I have left messages with the rental office and no one has returned my calls.

I will not go back to my place until this problem is eliminated. Do I still have to pay rent next month?

Actually, I don't have a problem paying rent. I just wamnt the pestilence removed. What can I do to get the managemnet to give a damn about this?


Asked on 12/04/00, 10:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randall Reder Randall O. Reder, P.A.

Re: I have rats for 6 weeks, do I still have to pay rent?

A lot depends on if you have a written agreement

for a period of time. If not, you are on a month

to month tenancy and either party can terminate it

upon giving a fifteen day notice. There are procedures

you need to follow if you wish to withhold rent in

the future. I strongly suggest you consult an

attorney experienced in these matters.

Read more
Answered on 12/18/00, 8:49 am


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