Landlord refusing HVAC duct cleaning after a dead mouse

[Just Blue]

The major problem with cats as mouse-catchers is that they often like to present you with the mouse once they’ve killed it. It is a bit disturbing to wake up in bed to find a cat dangling a dead mouse over your head.

My sisters cat decided placing the eviscerated remains of a mouse next to the dining room table was an appropriate spot. It was...very messy.

 

[quincy]

Our OP is probably not as amused with our digression as we are.

Probably not.

But at least Shinna is getting an idea of how common having mice in a residence is.

And, to my knowledge, none of us have had hantavirus so it is probably pretty safe to say that contracting an illness from a dead mouse in a residence is not all that common.

That has to be somewhat reassuring.

 

[Just Blue]

Probably not.

But at least Shinna is getting an idea of how common having mice in a residence is.

And, to my knowledge, none of us have had hantavirus so it is probably pretty safe to say that contracting an illness from a dead mouse in a residence is not all that common.

That has to be somewhat reassuring.

I never, ever had a mouse in my house till I moved into this one apartment. I moved my stuff in, put DD to bed, laid down on the couch to relax and about 10 min's later I heard a loud crunching noise. I lifted my head and the sound went away. I put my head back down and heard the noise again...it was like a rabbit chomping on a carrot kinda sound. So I got up and lifted the cushion and there was a big nasty mouse eating the sofa stuffing. This little guy was all scarred...he looked like a vermin version of a mafia hitman. I got up to call the LL and saw six or seven more. I was gone from the place by 9 the next morning.

 

[LdiJ]

I never, ever had a mouse in my house till I moved into this one apartment. I moved my stuff in, put DD to bed, laid down on the couch to relax and about 10 min's later I heard a loud crunching noise. I lifted my head and the sound went away. I put my head back down and heard the noise again...it was like a rabbit chomping on a carrot kinda sound. So I got up and lifted the cushion and there was a big nasty mouse eating the sofa stuffing. This little guy was all scarred...he looked like a vermin version of a mafia hitman. I got up to call the LL and saw six or seven more. I was gone from the place by 9 the next morning.

That is a LOT of mice to see all at once...I can imagine how many more there were that were not visible...shudder.

 

[Just Blue]

That is a LOT of mice to see all at once...I can imagine how many more there were that were not visible...shudder.

uhhuh. Hence me leaving first thing the next morning.

 

[bcr229]

I have pet snakes so... no mouse problem.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Someone I know lives in what is probably the worst trailer park in the area. It's an easy place for drug users as all the drug sellers likely live next door to them. At any rate management (and others) complained about all the cats in the area. People would move and leave cats behind and quickly there were many cats in this park. Couple of us trapped and vetted these and found homes for many. Now management and the residents are complaining about all the mice and snakes in the area.

 

[FarmerJ]

Back in 87 I had bought a house that i think was built in 1890 , it had a dug out style basement and anyway I kept the cat pan in the basement and M & C and S and BC used to bring presents up and drop them in a chair I used at dining room table or bring them up to the rug by the side of my bed and leave them there likely doing the ohh dad look what I got you deal` at the four plex they left them on he kitchen floor , M died by the time we moved here so C would leave them on the floor too. Once we got T if he killed them outside they went on the back step and if he killed them inside he would drop on the kitchen floor. OP as to your situation, as long as your LL is taking care of it the only thing you can do is monitor , report and learn if y chance your city or county requires duct cleaning after a mouse has died in the ductwork and if they say no then your only option is to ask the LL for consent to pay out of your own pocket to have them cleaned , just dont expect the LL to be willing to pay for the cleaning

 

[Shinna]

Then they are likely wasting their time coming out.

I agree.

 

[Shinna]

Back in 87 I had bought a house that i think was built in 1890 , it had a dug out style basement and anyway I kept the cat pan in the basement and M & C and S and BC used to bring presents up and drop them in a chair I used at dining room table or bring them up to the rug by the side of my bed and leave them there likely doing the ohh dad look what I got you deal` at the four plex they left them on he kitchen floor , M died by the time we moved here so C would leave them on the floor too. Once we got T if he killed them outside they went on the back step and if he killed them inside he would drop on the kitchen floor. OP as to your situation, as long as your LL is taking care of it the only thing you can do is monitor , report and learn if y chance your city or county requires duct cleaning after a mouse has died in the ductwork and if they say no then your only option is to ask the LL for consent to pay out of your own pocket to have them cleaned , just dont expect the LL to be willing to pay for the cleaning

I think different people have different standards of cleanliness. If it were my house, I’d order the cleaning without hesitation and asap. Since I pay a rent which is very reasonable and haven’t asked for much work from the landlord, and since AC/heat maintenance is the landlord’s responsibility (including its cleaning that hasn’t been done for more than 3 years) I think it‘a an adequate request on my part.

 

[quincy]

I think different people have different standards of cleanliness. If it were my house, I’d order the cleaning without hesitation and asap. Since I pay a rent which is very reasonable and haven’t asked for much work from the landlord, and since AC/heat maintenance is the landlord’s responsibility (including its cleaning that hasn’t been done for more than 3 years) I think it‘a an adequate request on my part.

I agree it is not an unreasonable request to make of your landlord.

 

[FarmerJ]

In the end unless a governmental agency says that the LL can be ordered FORCED to have the vents clean then the LL can choose not to just like you can choose to not renew the lease the next time it comes up for a renewal and on the other end of this should you choose to make a giant issue with your landlord over what you think should be done your LL can choose to not renew your lease.

 

[stealth2]

I agree it is not an unreasonable request to make of your landlord.

My emphasis would have been on request, but be that as it may...

@Shinna - at the end of the day, unless your lease or law says it's required, it's up to the LL to choose when/whether to get the ducts blown out. Just as it's your choice whether to cover it yourself. From experience, it's not all that expensive and might give you peace of mind to just get it done.

 

[adjusterjack]

Tenant's over react to every little thing. A dead mouse in the duct. So what! Toss it in the trash, stick a vacuum hose into the duct, then put a glue trap or two in the duct (couple of bucks each) and see if there are any more.

I wouldn't spend the money on duct cleaning after that.

Sheesh, I'm glad I'm not in the landlord business any more.

 

[quincy]

My emphasis would have been on request, but be that as it may...

@Shinna - at the end of the day, unless your lease or law says it's required, it's up to the LL to choose when/whether to get the ducts blown out. Just as it's your choice whether to cover it yourself. From experience, it's not all that expensive and might give you peace of mind to just get it done.

You’re right. The word “request” would have been the better word to emphasize.