Who's Responsible: Tenant vs. Landlord
Tenant Responsibility
- —Keep kitchen sealed (no food scraps)
- —Fix water leaks promptly (attraction point)
- —Seal interior gaps tenant created
- —Dispose of trash properly
Landlord Responsibility
- —Maintain structure (seal entry points)
- —Professional pest control treatment
- —Fix building conditions attracting rodents
- —Maintain habitability standard
Common Entry Points Renters Can Identify
Door frame gaps
Bottom weather stripping and side frame gaps; rodents can squeeze through 1/4-inch gaps
Pipe penetrations
Hot water, electrical conduit, and HVAC pipes entering unit; often oversized to allow future maintenance
Vent covers
Kitchen range hood vents, bathroom exhaust, and dryer vents; often lack proper dampers or screens
Baseboards
Gaps between flooring and baseboard molding; rodents gnaw and exploit these spaces
Cable/utility gaps
TV, internet, and phone line entry points; often sealed with removable caulk
How to Document Rodents for Your Landlord
- 1
Photograph rodent droppings
Take clear photos with date/time stamp. Compare to mouse vs. rat droppings chart online for clarity.
- 2
Document entry points
Photo and sketch gnaw marks, staining near holes, and any active activity. Include room and location measurements.
- 3
Log sightings with date/time
Keep a simple spreadsheet: date, time, location, what you observed. This establishes pattern/timeline.
- 4
Save all communication
Keep copies of emails and texts to landlord. Screenshot photos of texts. Document all requests for treatment.
A documented paper trail protects you if landlord fails to act. Most tenant rights violations require proof of request + proof of landlord inaction.