Good deal! Sounds like a Win Win to me! Everyone hates a vacant unit but sometimes it is for the better.

Hi, thanks for the response but I wasn't looking for how to handle it in terms of legalities, was just looking for some idea on how to talk to get her to understand what she needs to do... had some great constructive replies to use but unfortunately some people just don't want to listen, or in this instance the resident told me: well it's an apartment so I'm only going to do so much cleaning.

I know I stood there for a moment and just stared at her realizing how much she just doesn't get it, then told her you that you're responsible for damages to the apartment. If we have to clean it then you will be charged for this as well as any other costs associated with having to remove infestation.

She smugly said we'll see.

Ok lady have it your way. However, later that day her fiancee advised me that he purchased $30 worth of cleaning supplies and he would work on it that evening.

Well since then (this was last week) she's submitted her 30 day notice.

Notice to terminate wrote:

It sounds to me like a 30/60 day notice to terminate is appropriate here and will solve your problem in approx 30-60 days. That's exactly what I would do.

BTW - I always take photos. You can take photos anywhere that you can see from where you are legally at. In other words, if a resident invites you into their home to look at a maint problem, or if you're maint personnel are in there working and you go in there to supervise them, and you see filth, take photos of it. They will come in handy later when dealing with problems with the resident regarding pests or other problems.

+1 Hopefully you have documented the case very well. There should be no tolerance of this. While you may not have other apartments affected by this, you will. Then what will your action be. Document, Document, Document! Rid your self of this issue because it can unfold to a point that you will seriously regret it. Just my .02

"If you feed them, they will come." :ohmy: This is what I tell residents that have pest control issues. Fortunately our most common bug is flour bugs, but occasionally a unit will get roaches.

We have a housekeeping letter, but it's usually only used at annual inspection time. We can't do any unannounced or surprise inspections, but with my residents, usually a stern talking to (aka "Guilt trip") makes the difference.

Our next step is the non-compliance notice, then if the situation does not improve, we issue a For Cause notice that requires the problem cured within two weeks or else they must move out within 30 days. Only once has it come to the resident having to move out. Ironically, the resident cleaned the apartment to like-new condition at move out. If they had only cleaned up before they moved, they could have stayed.

Our rental agreement includes a pest control addendum which allows us to charge back extermination costs, but I find it much more cost effective to have the property cover it. A reputation for having an infestation is much more costly in the long run than paying for pest control. We also have quarterly inspections by a pest control company. Every year at budgeting time I consider cancelling the contract for lack of need, but I'm glad we still have it.

Okay~~here's what I would do~~~Have your pest control company inspect and treat the unit again if necessary. Have the pest control technician document the issues in the apartment. If they are truly a health hazard, issue a Health and Safety Hazard notice. This usually gives the resident a certain number of days to correct the issues. If the issues are not fixed, issue a 7 day notice (or the shortest notice allowed by you state)

When they move charge them for the additional cleaning and pest control.

This is not a situation that you are going to win with more discussion. Follow the legal process and allow it to play out. In the past, when I have given residents a 'Health & Hazard notice, the seem to wake up and clean up!!

Good luck!

Cheryl - yikes! Did someone really buy chemicals and just give them to your resident? That should never be done and I think this goes much further than "training" issues. If anyone did that I would wonder if they should be in the job. Regarding this being against the law, that may be applicable in your state but DIY (do it yourself) is not illegal everywhere - though generally frowned upon. But even if it's a diy situation, I would not imagine having the resident do it as that opens up sooo much liability upon the imminent failure of the fix :ohmy: