Landlord tenant law

[jejton]

I have a bee infestation somewhere in my house but cannot find the hive. I asked the landlord ( who lives next door, I rent the house ) to get an exterminator and he referred me to a fine printed clause in the lease rider stating that I am responsible for extermination. I told him that I was surprised at this ( yes I know, read the fine print. I do and this somehow escaped me ) since from my experience - within the 5 boroughs albeit - this is a landlord responsibility by law. He said, in short, that that is not the case in Long Island. I was curious if anyone had any knowledge about the matter. Is the law indeed different out here?

( Disclaimer: This is not a 'flame landlord's thread so please keep it to the point. There are trashy landlords and trashy tenants. I've dealt with both and this guy is not one of them. He generally is very on top of things which is why this took me by surprise ).
Can anyone recommend a course of action ( regarding the hive ) or an exterminator? I bought some sprays and killed one hive I found under some shingles near the front door but there seems to be another one somewhere else. Being that I find the majority of bees in my kitchen even with doors and windows closed, I think it might be in the ventilation system. I bought all the sprays and all but am hesitant on spraying in the ventilation system.

 

[pmui]

let's put it this way, if you signed the lease with that wordage, You are responsible for it. NYC law are differnent from renting a single family House.

 

[jhale]

do not spray into the ventilation system. I'd call a few exterminators and ask for estimates.

 

[jejton]

pmui - I realize I erred in not being more careful in reading the lease (again this is not typical for me ) but regardless, if a clause in a contract ( any contract ) is illegal, than that clause is null and void. For example, you sign a contract with me that says, among other things, I will charge you x rent but will charge you 2x rent if you dont keep my marijuana plants in your apartment for me. Regardless of the fact that you signed the contract, it was an illegal clause and therefore cannot be upheld. You will only have to pay x rent. In NYC, regardless of whether you are renting an apt in a house, a whole house or an apt in a building, pest control is a landlords obligation. I'd like to know if the same holds here.

jhale - I did call one exterminator and got an estimate of $200 and upwards depending on the nature of the job. I'm waiting to here from others and in the meantime will continue spraying the nest outside until I see no more wasps leaving it and then hopefully that will be the only one.

 

[TimberTDI]

I'm pretty sure that landlords do not have to provide for bee extermination; even if you didn't have that clause in the lease. They do however have to pay for extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants and wood-eating bugs. So if you have mice running up and down your house then yes that contract would be deemed "illegal" and the landlord would have to pay.

But then again, it all depends on your county and town.

 

[jejton]

If I had rodents, I could just set my snakes loose for a night! I actually called the county and the woman said that it appears this would be covered under the tenant's right laws.

It does seem that there is only that one hive so I'm going to just try and nuke it myself tonite. I really dont want to fight with the landlord over this as there are more imporant issues I need him to deal with and we have had a good relationship. I will just have to be more careful next time I sign a lease.

 

[pmui]

good luck on te bees.

I didn'r mean to be abrupt, on the short answer you are absolutely correct if something is illegal or unmoral it would not hold up in a lawsuite case.

 

[jejton]

Yellowjackets and no worries, you didnt come off rude.

 

[crox99]

Just try to burn the hive.....I think is better than nuke it.

 

[NYreefNoob]

get a can of spray brake cleaner, just dont breath it, it will kill them on contact and the nest :shhh: what i do at work and no more bee's or anything

 

[jejton]

ok great thanks for the tips. I've sprayed them with about 6 cans divided among three different products. If they are still coming out tomorrow I'll get the brake cleaner. I can't burn the hive as its under some shingles and probably within the awning over the front door. Burn the hive = burn the house = unhappy landlord

 

[crox99]

I'm sure he has insurance!! LOL

 

[TimberTDI]

Burn the hive = burn the house = unhappy landlord

Brooklyn Style. Problem solved. :lol2:

 

[jejton]

and then where do we live?

 

[NYPDFrogman]

cold weather will kill them on a couple of weeks if you can get rid of the hive

 

[skimacka]

Brakeclean is def the way to go.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would call an exterminator yourself and pay to have them taken out. This is something you don't want to leave to the landlords discretion. This is a safety issue.

 

[autoponicz]

make sure when you spray it...wear some protection before they get angry on you..lol..

here in philly....renters dont get anything....some houses have no appliances which the renter need to provide themselves ...you can rent the house...but whatever you else you need done like mow the lawn ...you have to pay...but if something breaks inside the house...then i get a call from the owners

 

[jejton]

I called three exterminators Friday morning and only said he could come same day but called me later to tell me he couldnt get there :irked:. I was praying for a freezing weekend but it was nice and warm. I think my offensive has started taking a toll as I have only seen one or two since this morning. If they are still here by Monday I'll call again. The weather has affected them as they have been very sluggish and easy to kill but like you said Chief, safety is more important.