What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina
I am seeking guidance regarding a particular issue I am experiencing with my management company regarding the ongoing presence of mice both previously in my actual unit and the ceiling/walls, and more importantly, mouse feces in the both ceilings areas and what appears to be caulked over in certain corners of apartment.
In the early fall, I purchased an overhead light to install in my living room. When removing the ceiling cover/cap (plastic circle which covers the wiring for an overhead) I discovered what appeared to be old mouse feces. I verbally notified the community manager of the past and potential future presence of mice given this discovery. More importantly, the health risks associated with exposure to mouse urine and feces, and its probable location in other portions of the ceiling and/or HVAC ductwork (mice are notorious for chewing through anything short of steel wire). No action was taken. I did photograph the actual feces, and maintained the cover on my back porch.
I did not further pursue having been quite busy with the ongoing development of my business. Months later in early winter, I began audibly hearing mice in the ceiling and even walls. Shortly thereafter, I discovered a mouse in my actual apartment unit, which took me two days to catch. Through much effort, I caught the live mouse in a glass jar and photographed it.
At which point, I contacted the regional manager with a stern letter as well as photographs of the overhead light cap, feces, and live mouse. I informed him of the multitude of health issues prevalent in having mice present in a building and requested a mutually agreeable cessation to the lease agreement based upon the underlying necessity to possible treat a building-wide mouse problem (my building has over 50 units in it).
He sent their contracted exterminator, Orkin, into my unit with glue traps, and suggested he could not trust my photographs were authentic until they caught a live mouse themselves. The Orkin representative was presented the light cap fixture with feces, alongside a small amount he found along the wall in a living area. I informed them that it was not agreeable to utilize glue traps given my unwillingness to dispose of exposed mice bodies. I purchased my own, more expensive spin traps which require no actual exposure. However, no additional mice have been caught in the meantime.
The Orkin rep, contracted by my management company, refused to answer any of my questions as if he had been instructed to. The management company has not taken any further action to investigate the issue and ensure the building and my unit is clear of mouse feces.
Yesterday, my girlfriend and I got into an argument which resulted in her slamming the bathroom door. The door slam actually caused the plastic overhead fan cover in the bathroom to fall open, and a large volume of mouse feces fell onto the floor. I had to thoroughly clean mouse feces, which was not pleasant.
Ultimately, I am interested to learn the opinions of the good members of this forum in reference to the landlord's responsibility nearly 3 months ago, when the mouse was first caught, in investigating the potential entry points of mice, the sanctity of the HVAC unit ductwork and any other circulatory systems in the building, and removing mouse feces, which are clearly present, from the ceiling areas.
To-date, it is evident that potentially disease-causing mouse feces are present in the ceiling of my unit, and presumably others. I appreciate your time and consideration in advance.
PS - I overlooked in my initial post including the fact that, upon further examination, it actually appears that maintenance caulked over old mouse feces in the corners of certain areas of the apartment, including the entryway and pantry. The pantry is very dark, and it took a thorough examination of my unit after this experience to identify what is most likely old mouse feces inside old caulking. This indicates their prior awareness of, and negligence in investigating this issue prior to my even having moved in.
I am seeking guidance regarding a particular issue I am experiencing with my management company regarding the ongoing presence of mice both previously in my actual unit and the ceiling/walls, and more importantly, mouse feces in the both ceilings areas and what appears to be caulked over in certain corners of apartment.
In the early fall, I purchased an overhead light to install in my living room. When removing the ceiling cover/cap (plastic circle which covers the wiring for an overhead) I discovered what appeared to be old mouse feces. I verbally notified the community manager of the past and potential future presence of mice given this discovery. More importantly, the health risks associated with exposure to mouse urine and feces, and its probable location in other portions of the ceiling and/or HVAC ductwork (mice are notorious for chewing through anything short of steel wire). No action was taken. I did photograph the actual feces, and maintained the cover on my back porch.
I did not further pursue having been quite busy with the ongoing development of my business. Months later in early winter, I began audibly hearing mice in the ceiling and even walls. Shortly thereafter, I discovered a mouse in my actual apartment unit, which took me two days to catch. Through much effort, I caught the live mouse in a glass jar and photographed it.
At which point, I contacted the regional manager with a stern letter as well as photographs of the overhead light cap, feces, and live mouse. I informed him of the multitude of health issues prevalent in having mice present in a building and requested a mutually agreeable cessation to the lease agreement based upon the underlying necessity to possible treat a building-wide mouse problem (my building has over 50 units in it).
He sent their contracted exterminator, Orkin, into my unit with glue traps, and suggested he could not trust my photographs were authentic until they caught a live mouse themselves. The Orkin representative was presented the light cap fixture with feces, alongside a small amount he found along the wall in a living area. I informed them that it was not agreeable to utilize glue traps given my unwillingness to dispose of exposed mice bodies. I purchased my own, more expensive spin traps which require no actual exposure. However, no additional mice have been caught in the meantime.
The Orkin rep, contracted by my management company, refused to answer any of my questions as if he had been instructed to. The management company has not taken any further action to investigate the issue and ensure the building and my unit is clear of mouse feces.
Yesterday, my girlfriend and I got into an argument which resulted in her slamming the bathroom door. The door slam actually caused the plastic overhead fan cover in the bathroom to fall open, and a large volume of mouse feces fell onto the floor. I had to thoroughly clean mouse feces, which was not pleasant.
Ultimately, I am interested to learn the opinions of the good members of this forum in reference to the landlord's responsibility nearly 3 months ago, when the mouse was first caught, in investigating the potential entry points of mice, the sanctity of the HVAC unit ductwork and any other circulatory systems in the building, and removing mouse feces, which are clearly present, from the ceiling areas.
To-date, it is evident that potentially disease-causing mouse feces are present in the ceiling of my unit, and presumably others. I appreciate your time and consideration in advance.
PS - I overlooked in my initial post including the fact that, upon further examination, it actually appears that maintenance caulked over old mouse feces in the corners of certain areas of the apartment, including the entryway and pantry. The pantry is very dark, and it took a thorough examination of my unit after this experience to identify what is most likely old mouse feces inside old caulking. This indicates their prior awareness of, and negligence in investigating this issue prior to my even having moved in.