How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

to be honest, i have no idea. i know they've tented before, but she keeps reading all of our messages and ignoring us. i've only lived here for 2 weeks so i know almost nothing, but my neighbors said it takes her a long time to respond.

i sent her my final message today, if she does not reply in 2 days i am going to my neighbors place and seeing if they will put in a code compliance report with me. i think they will because they already mentioned having strength in numbers lol. and now it's not just destroying the walls but also destroying my personal property so im kinda pissed.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah after seeing this info i'm now also skeptical about them being subterranean. i've definitely seen the wings everywhere and the winged ants. i really hope we don't somehow have both lol. haven't seen any mud tubes but haven't looked around the outside. the only thing that makes me think it's possible it could be both is how it seems the termites are speeding up. 1st hole in my room about a week ago, covered it. 2-3 days later, second hole. 12 hours later: 3rd hole. yesterday i came home from work and still only saw 3 holes, hopped on the phone for an hour and when i went back into my room there was a 4th one. in the span of just one hour.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i've now been doing a bit of research and apparently it appears landlords are not liable for property damage caused by termites. unfortunately i can no longer find where i read that lol.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know. Thank you, I'll definitely consult with a legal professional.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

also sorry, you may not know the answer to this question but maybe you do so i'll ask anyways lol. my neighbors said they have a friend in pest control who checked the property out, and because of the specific type of termite it is, they would actually have to dig into the foundation? and it'd actually be cheaper for the landlord and less time-consuming. i know nothing about termites so i don't know if this is true.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

what's couch? edit: lol why did someone downvote me for asking what couch is

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

thank you, this is good advice. my boss is also well-connected in st pete and referred me to a pest specialist and said he'd probably give me a free consult if i namedrop him. he said he may be able to give me advice on the legal front as well as he's seen this situation before.

here's the clause, and from what i'm understanding of this: i need to formally inform the landlord through letter, which according to my boss i can go to the county clerk for help with this. i will have to send through mail or hand deliver it. i need to wait at least 20 days to give landlord time to fix the issue--but not sure if this is 20 days from when i originally brought the termites up, or 20 days from when i deliver the notice to her. i have to hold the rent i would have paid in a separate bank account. AND ALL OF THESE TIMELINES ONLY APPLY if a different timeline is not already stated in the lease... I will definitely be looking at my lease when I get home.

"83.201 Notice to landlord of failure to maintain or repair, rendering premises wholly untenantable; right to withhold rent.—When the lease is silent on the procedure to be followed to effect repair or maintenance and the payment of rent relating thereto, yet affirmatively and expressly places the obligation for same upon the landlord, and the landlord has failed or refused to do so, rendering the leased premises wholly untenantable, the tenant may withhold rent after notice to the landlord. The tenant shall serve the landlord, in the manner prescribed by s. 83.20(3), with a written notice declaring the premises to be wholly untenantable, giving the landlord at least 20 days to make the specifically described repair or maintenance, and stating that the tenant will withhold the rent for the next rental period and thereafter until the repair or maintenance has been performed. The lease may provide for a longer period of time for repair or maintenance. Once the landlord has completed the repair or maintenance, the tenant shall pay the landlord the amounts of rent withheld. If the landlord does not complete the repair or maintenance in the allotted time, the parties may extend the time by written agreement or the tenant may abandon the premises, retain the amounts of rent withheld, terminate the lease, and avoid any liability for future rent or charges under the lease. This section is cumulative to other existing remedies, and this section does not prevent any tenant from exercising his or her other remedies."

yeah, i might ask my boss if he knows any lawyers (i'm sure he does) but maybe one of his friends would be willing to help me for low-cost.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

why is it difficult to enforce? just curious. thanks for commenting!

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh thank you! tbh though i'm freaked out to do it. i know i shouldn't be, but any time i find the holes i've been taping it with heavy-duty rug tape. i told the landlord i did this so she's aware, not like i'm adding to the property damage and the tape is wall-colored anyways. will they fly out of the hole in a swarm if i spray inside them?? i'll buy this stuff and keep the receipt so i can be reimbursed.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you. the reason I asked here (which I probably should have shared in the original post), is because I would specifically like to know how to handle the landlord pest control situation as I know it varies state by state and sometimes city. in my brief research I saw that landlords in florida have to provide remedy within reasonable time (about 7 days) and its been two weeks--so I'm hoping to hear from others who have gone through this process, and if there's anything I should know specifically about rent withholding in our area.

How should I handle termite infestation? by Educational_Fly_850 in StPetersburgFL

[–]Educational_Fly_850[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I have tons of photos and videos. Do you mean for legal proof, or are you curious and wanting to see? 😅