Carpet Beetle issues

[Jandyland]

We moved in 7 days ago. The apartment had previously used carpet that was “deep cleaned”. We have found carpet beetles and larvae in our carpet. We contacted our landlord who wanted us to wait for over a week for an exterminator to come and check out the apartment because he was coming then to spray the grounds anyway. After a long talk they finally agreed to send out an exterminator monday with a $70-90 charge to us. We want to fight this charge as it is not our fault the bugs were in the carpet. If the exterminator agrees that we have carpet beetles and applies whatever treatment, do we still have a right to withhold rent to try and get a new carpet since we found larvae and they could still be in the carpet technically ?

 

[Jandyland]

We moved in 7 days ago. The apartment had previously used carpet that was “deep cleaned”. We have found carpet beetles and larvae in our carpet. We contacted our landlord who wanted us to wait for over a week for an exterminator to come and check out the apartment because he was coming then to spray the grounds anyway. After a long talk they finally agreed to send out an exterminator monday with a $70-90 charge to us. We want to fight this charge as it is not our fault the bugs were in the carpet. If the exterminator agrees that we have carpet beetles and applies whatever treatment, do we still have a right to withhold rent to try and get a new carpet since we found larvae and they could still be in the carpet technically ?

This is in Ohio. 12 month lease.

 

[justalayman]

If you agreed to pay to have the exterminators come out before the already scheduled visit, which it sounds like you did, you need to pay it.


If there was a different agreement made, provide the details

 

[Jandyland]

If you agreed to pay to have the exterminators come out before the already scheduled visit, which it sounds like you did, you need to pay it.


If there was a different agreement made, provide the details

We were told to call corporate and speak with them regarding the 90 dollars. But My main question is if the exterminator comes out and our landlord decides not to change the carpet even though we clearly saw larvae and the beetles on the carpet and provided them with live specimens we caught, can we withhold rent until they replace our carpet. We have a 9 month old who is crawling and we want the carpet replaced if there is any chance that there would be more larvae or beetles.

 

[justalayman]

Carpet beetles can be treated without replacing the carpet.

 

[reenzz]

Ohio law does not permit rent withholding. You must pay your rent in full and on time or you can be evicted. If you have notified the landlord in writing of a problem that isn't fixed within a reasonable time (up to 30 days), then you can pay your rent into a court supervised escrow account instead of to your landlord. Then you can petition the court to release the money to pay for the repair and/or to reduce your rent or terminate your lease.

 

[Just Blue]

We were told to call corporate and speak with them regarding the 90 dollars. But My main question is if the exterminator comes out and our landlord decides not to change the carpet even though we clearly saw larvae and the beetles on the carpet and provided them with live specimens we caught, can we withhold rent until they replace our carpet. We have a 9 month old who is crawling and we want the carpet replaced if there is any chance that there would be more larvae or beetles.

Carpet beetles are not poisonous. Worst case regarding your baby? ...s/he has a beetle protein snack.

 

[Just Blue]

Ahhh...You find this funny @reenzz ...but I know it's true from 1st hand experience!

 

[LdiJ]

We were told to call corporate and speak with them regarding the 90 dollars. But My main question is if the exterminator comes out and our landlord decides not to change the carpet even though we clearly saw larvae and the beetles on the carpet and provided them with live specimens we caught, can we withhold rent until they replace our carpet. We have a 9 month old who is crawling and we want the carpet replaced if there is any chance that there would be more larvae or beetles.

I truly understand how you feel, but if they can be eliminated without replacing the carpet you cannot force the carpet to be replaced.

 

[FarmerJ]

BUT if the exterminator doesn't treat the pest or the extermination treatment doesn't work perhaps you should call your city housing inspections desk and ask them if they can take a look at the problem . AS to your LLs main office I suggest you stop calling and use real written on paper letters and keep a copy and send them via certified mail and in the letter when you talk about this 90 .00 fee I suggest you remind them that you didn't bring them into the unit and telling a new tenant they have to wait to exterminate a pest that likely was left behind by the previous tenant appears to you to be poor business and making it all the easier for you to invite city housing inspectors in next time.

 

[izzie02]

Personally, I would be more concerned with the pesticide your kid will be crawling on than the bugs. Get the name of the pesticide they will use and ask your pediatrician if safe for kid to be in contact with the residue.