Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Ants; Leaking Toliet
I'm a California landlord and my
tenant just called to complain about
a leaking toliet and ants, a problem
he says he's been trying to deal with
for some months but they won't go
away. I'll fix the toliet, because I
don't want water damage, but am I
obligated to deal with HIS ant
problem? Thanks
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Ants; Leaking Toliet
The $64. question is, "Who is really responsible for the ant problem?" If you don't address it and the Court later finds that it's your fault (e.g. such as unclean outside premises), then things could go badly for you. Of course this only applies if you should later find yourself in an eviction action against these tenants.
It's for that reason, as well as the minor nature of the complaint, that all of the responding counsel think that you'd be better off just using ant traps to solve the problem. I do too.
Re: Ants; Leaking Toliet
Home Depot has some Raid Max traps that get rid of the problem in a couple of days for under $10. (I know from personal experience.) I also heard that if you draw a line with chalk, the ants won't step over it. Sounds like it's not worth raising a ruckus over the issue.
Re: Ants; Leaking Toliet
My recommendation is to give him some ant traps and have good will with your tenant.
Re: Ants; Leaking Toliet
I agree with Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steele.
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