****Need advice about NOLA house rental regulations***** (apartment, how much)

[danielabella06]

Hey guys,

I moved to new orleans a month ago and live in the Marigny. Are there any Apartment rules or regulations that landlords have to go by?

Our apartment has gaps between the window seals and actual apartment building. We are having a huge insect and believe rodent problem in our apartment . We also discovered a huge hole in the ceiling in one of the closets. I also don't want to open the windows because the screens aren't the proper size of the window.

This has to be the worst living condition i've ever lived in.

Does anyone have advice on how to take care of this problem. I will definitely talk the landlord. but am fearful she'll give me the run around.

I unfortunately am tied to a 1 year lease..
email: danielabella06@gmail.com

[rgreenkrb]

If you can’t work it out, Louisiana landlord-tenant law gives you certain rights. An attorney would be helpful if it comes to that.

[danielabella06]

Thank you very much! looks like i have a lot of research to do!

[Prytania]

I'd say your problems aren't uncommon.

My place was like that but some drywall, one new door and a lot of Bengal roach spray and its fine. Don't expect miracles...I get roaches and lizards in here on occasion (it was far worse when I moved in). It's rental property that's quite old.

[Drouzin]

Lol, everyone here has a bug problem. I don't know what bug problems you are having, little roaches vs. big flying roaches, spiders, or ants. I will say that if it's spiders and lizards leave em alone because they eat the skeeters, make sure you don't have any brown recluses The Official Brown Recluse Spider, you will have some real problems if one gets you. The little roaches are fixable, Prytania mentioned Bengal roach spray, (people here swear by the stuff), I like the Bengal to kill what I can see, and I also put down that Combat Platinum Gel as a back up plan. Mama used boric acid in baby food lids under the sinks when we were little. Get those ant traps for any ant problems. As for the big roaches, (Toupsee's favorite thing), you are stuck with em, they come in from outside all the time, you can either sweep em out the door or Bangle them.

My son had a run in with a landlord with a place near the Lakefront. The landlord had no official utility hook ups and when the water and electricity went off he blamed the tenents for not paying their bills. When son called the utility companies they said the hook ups were illegal. He went to some group for advice and legal help, (I'll ask him who it was when he wakes up this evening for work and post back later tonight or tomorrow AM.), and they were able to break the lease, but he never got his deposit back. I'm not sure how much help this group will be, but in the meantime, put some of those metal dish scrubby thingies in your gap under the window to help with keeping the bugs out, and tape some plastic sheeting over the hole in your closet.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

My house in Metaire, which was well-constructed in a good area, always had roaches - tiny ones that I think came in through groceries and the big flying ones which were bad when it rained hard. I had a monthly pest control service and it helped the little ones, so I might see one or two per month - and they were slow so I assume they were dying before I whacked them. The big ones cannot be stopped, just killed. The worst thing is when you wake up to find one nibbling on your hand cream, ON your hand!

[LindseyLou]

Did you look at the apartment before you rented it. Were these problems hidden? I know we do always look at the window screens, but shouldn't a hole in the ceiling have been obvious. Alot of this stuff is problems we all work out on our own as tenants in old buildings. Duck tape and steel wool are good for helping keep rodents out. Just stuff the steel wool in the cracks and cover it up with duck tape ( you can use duck tape for so many things). t comes in colors if you don't want the silver.

Alot depends on how much you like where you live. Is it convenient to your work? Have you made friends? Can you find another place that is better for the same or less amount of rent? If you like where you are then get some Bengal, get some Combat, and get some mouse traps and join the rest of us in NOLA who are willing to battle the bugs.

[Drouzin]

Well, my son called this morning, and he said that he went to legal aid for help with his situation. He also said that to qualify your income needs to be under 20k a year. It doesn't sound like that is going to be much help in your situation. Best wishes and good luck with the landlady.