I think not. As you stated, "I swear, the bed bug issue, and roaches, are the hardest to cement into a nice little box. of who pays for what, and how long and how much"
Now you are contridicting yourself.
Thanks for quoting me on that, I had forgotten that (j/k) I am Not contradicting myself, I'm saying it is a common problem when it comes to pests. NO ONE KNOWS where the bugs came from. Bugs cant be called to the stand. Its hard to cement in a neat little box, because while the LL has a duty to keep the home habitable (see below) the tenant has a duty to keep the place clean.
The warranty of habitability
Landlords have a duty under New Jersey landlord-tenant law to maintain their rental property in a safe and decent condition. This duty applies to all leases, whether written or oral. The duty to keep rental units safe and decent is called the warranty of habitability. The warranty of habitability is based upon common sense: in return for paying rent to the landlord, the landlord must make sure that the housing is fit to be occupied by the tenant.
The warranty of habitability has been held to include keeping the basic elements of your housing unit in good condition. This includes taking care of physical elements, such as the roof, windows, walls, etc.; the systems that supply your heat, hot and cold water, and electricity and gas; appliances, such as the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher; keeping apartments pest-free and common areas clean; and providing security against crime, such as locks on doors and windows to deter break-ins.
Housing and property maintenance codes
There are several codes adopted by the state or local governments that establish standards for maintaining rental property. There are trained personnel who inspect rental properties to enforce the codes and who are available to take complaints about code violations from individual tenants.
Most likely the codes include pest free environment, and if reported to the inspectors of this code unit LL WILL be responsible for cleaning up the pests. Without substantial evidence that the pests DEFINITELY and REPEATEDLY came from the tenant, than according to the STATE CODES, it is Landlords responsibility.
Multiple dwelling code
Landlords of buildings with three or more units must meet the standards in the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Health and Safety Code, or “multiple dwelling” code. This code is contained in regulations issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Cite: N.J.A.C. 5:10-1.1.
This code has detailed and specific rules that cover everything, including locks, window screens, ventilation, pests, plumbing, painting, garbage, living space, and so on. You can find these regulations in your courthouse library or public library, or you can call the Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Housing Inspection, in Trenton at (609) 633-6210 to purchase a copy.
Which is what I am going to quote again in a minute to show the motels and hotels also have to keep the place VERY CLEAN in order to continue to operate. Based on this post, I believe this to be a multi unit apartment, and maybe OP should purchase this pamphlet from the State of N.J
If you are right, than are we to assume that if the place has ants, that it is our problem to keep them free from them? We can pay for exterminators and pay out our ears, BUT if the tenants don't help, it will still be a problem.
I am right, if they continue to not keep the place clean, and the ants keep coming back, you can get rid of the tenants (at the appropriate time, be it by breach of contract to keep the place clean, or in NJ's case, failure to pay rent.) you as a [landlord] will have the documents that you REPEATEDLY and PROFESSIONALLY exterminated the problem, and until the tenants took up residence, there had not ever been a problem with ants.
For your info: In cases where the source of the indoor pollutants is not clear, or when it is not one of the named and regulated substances above, or if the pollutant is BIOLOGICAL IN ORIGIN, such as ****roaches, mold, dust mites, ETC, then there are no Federal laws to address these complaints.
Who is talking federal laws? no one. habitability and landlord tenant relationships are governed by STATE LAWS. and TOWN CODES to a lesser degree.
And some states DO NOT address this problem unless stipulated in the lease.
Is that so.. So name 5.
and NJ is NOT one of those states, so while your naming those states, please include why those states are relative to OP's situation.