To get out of a lease due to bug infestation can be possible, but will require some type of legal help. The problem is that you even stated that the landlord has already sprayed to separate times– so its not like the landlord isn’t working with you to resolve the problem. Sounds more like you can’t afford to live there because you are now a “Laid off college student” as you said in your post.

I my opinion, you don’t really have a case against your landlord to terminate your lease. It sounds like he has been helping and trying to resolve the problem.

I CAN afford this place, I was a laid off college student prior to moving here and made sure I had enough to pay my bills before signing the lease. In fact, it is going to cost me more to move to another place, as this one is is the least expensive around and has the most utilities, etc included in the rent (and its nicer then a few others I have seen).

The problem is living with the cockroaches / impending bedbugs along with the risk of transporting them to other people’s homes when I visit or they visit me… the $50 & 5 hours of labor that it cost me to rewash all of my clothing and bedding at the laundromat… the cost of purchasing and the hassle of living out of plastic tubs to prevent my things from being re-infested… and the worst part is that my asthma has kicked in from the chemicals being sprayed here (they are setting off more again today). I have not had asthma problems in many years, so now I have the extra cost of the doctor and medicine for treatment.

I am also not thrilled about having to move again so soon and I can’t afford to pay for two places each month until this lease runs out. The handyman does the spraying, not a professional exterminator, and I have been told that this has been a regular occurrence for many years. I don’t think it was ethical of the landlord to continue renting apartments without warning future tenants of the bugs/chemicals first. They own all of their buildings free and clear, so the loss of rental income won’t hurt them with the bank.

You have rights!! This is what you do. Contact the LA Health County for your area for them to check and verify (In writing) that there is an infestation. Once you have that, it is considered inhabitable to live there. You can then get out of your lease once you give them 30 days notice. Also, another way to get out of your lease is to say you don’t have money to pay the rent…see how fast they react when you don’t have money. If you’ve been sick, get a dr’s note and any other evidence to support how unhealthy it is to reside there. Good luck, if you’ve haven’t already gotten out of there.

So many damn landlords/managers lie and (BIND YOU TO A YEAR CONTRACT) and say they’ve taken care of pests–RUN the other way! Same thing happened to me. Ask questions first, check for dead roaches before signing lease.