Mice in apartment I'm subletting
June 14, 2015 11:25 AM Subscribe
Last night I saw mice in the apartment I'm subletting--in the kitchen, and in my closet. I've only been here a few days. I leave in 8 weeks. Metafilter is not my atty, but generally--what do I do? Is it my responsibility to clean them out? What rights do I have?
I've been in NYC since Sunday night. Last night, I saw mice in the apartment I'm subletting. At least, I'm 99% sure they were mice and not rats. They were in the kitchen and in my bedroom, and I could hear more under the stove. Needless to say, I did what any non-NYC-native would do: freaked out and cashed in on the Marriott points I've been hoarding for a night somewhere else.
I'm subletting in university housing, but I've heard from literally everyone (including random people in the elevator) that the super is terrible. Obviously I'll contact the super, though. The girl I'm subletting from didn't know about the mice (she saw one a few times in 2014 but that was it)--her roommate freaked out too (but is away for the weekend). If this was just my apartment, I'd just deal with it myself (okay I'd spend way too much money on an exterminator or something). But it's not my apartment--I've only been here 6 days!--and I leave in 8 weeks, and I don't think I caused the problem. I'll admit I'm not the cleanest, but I knew NYC had a roach problem (I didn't know about the mice problem too) so I did everything that the roommate did with regard to storing food and cleaning up, though having spent the night googling this it appears that wasn't enough.
You are not my atty, but: What are my responsibilities and rights here? Do I have to deal with the infestation? Can I cancel the sublease? I haven't paid the rent yet (that's another issue) but I did sign a sublease contract that just says she stays in control of the apartment and is still responsible for it but that I'm able to pay rent until I leave in August.
If it is my responsibility to deal with the mice, do I have to do it the way she would? As I said, I'd go ahead and spend way too much money on an exterminator because these things freak me out so much. Does she pay for that or do I? Do I have to split it with the roommate (who I think may just end up staying with her boyfriend)?
I'm not super comfortable with animals (that's actually an understatement--I was in therapy for 2 years over a dog phobia), but am trying to wrangle together some friends who can help me. Obviously I can't go buy a cat but have been asking around for one I could have wander around for a few days in the apartment. I would foster, but see the "uncomfortable around animals" part. Also, what do people do when they are actively fighting an infestation? Do you stay in the apartment? That sounds horrifying to me :/.
I'm just chilling in this coffee shop for now and will be watching the thread.
Thank you so much!!!
I've been in NYC since Sunday night. Last night, I saw mice in the apartment I'm subletting. At least, I'm 99% sure they were mice and not rats. They were in the kitchen and in my bedroom, and I could hear more under the stove. Needless to say, I did what any non-NYC-native would do: freaked out and cashed in on the Marriott points I've been hoarding for a night somewhere else.
I'm subletting in university housing, but I've heard from literally everyone (including random people in the elevator) that the super is terrible. Obviously I'll contact the super, though. The girl I'm subletting from didn't know about the mice (she saw one a few times in 2014 but that was it)--her roommate freaked out too (but is away for the weekend). If this was just my apartment, I'd just deal with it myself (okay I'd spend way too much money on an exterminator or something). But it's not my apartment--I've only been here 6 days!--and I leave in 8 weeks, and I don't think I caused the problem. I'll admit I'm not the cleanest, but I knew NYC had a roach problem (I didn't know about the mice problem too) so I did everything that the roommate did with regard to storing food and cleaning up, though having spent the night googling this it appears that wasn't enough.
You are not my atty, but: What are my responsibilities and rights here? Do I have to deal with the infestation? Can I cancel the sublease? I haven't paid the rent yet (that's another issue) but I did sign a sublease contract that just says she stays in control of the apartment and is still responsible for it but that I'm able to pay rent until I leave in August.
If it is my responsibility to deal with the mice, do I have to do it the way she would? As I said, I'd go ahead and spend way too much money on an exterminator because these things freak me out so much. Does she pay for that or do I? Do I have to split it with the roommate (who I think may just end up staying with her boyfriend)?
I'm not super comfortable with animals (that's actually an understatement--I was in therapy for 2 years over a dog phobia), but am trying to wrangle together some friends who can help me. Obviously I can't go buy a cat but have been asking around for one I could have wander around for a few days in the apartment. I would foster, but see the "uncomfortable around animals" part. Also, what do people do when they are actively fighting an infestation? Do you stay in the apartment? That sounds horrifying to me :/.
I'm just chilling in this coffee shop for now and will be watching the thread.
Thank you so much!!!
Here's what I would do as someone who doesn't want to live with mice but isn't phobic about them either:
1. Call building maintenance, have them come do whatever they do for mice
2. While they're doing that, put out some live traps and catch as many as you can, then have someone take them outside and release the mice in a local park.
3. Keep all of your food in the refrigerator to discourage repeat visitors.
posted by MsMolly at 12:04 PM on June 14, 2015
1. Call building maintenance, have them come do whatever they do for mice
2. While they're doing that, put out some live traps and catch as many as you can, then have someone take them outside and release the mice in a local park.
3. Keep all of your food in the refrigerator to discourage repeat visitors.
posted by MsMolly at 12:04 PM on June 14, 2015
Don't call the super until you've talked to your sublettee.
1. Clean the apartment of any stray food pieces (don't leave food out, etc.)
2. Call/email your sublettee. Explain the situation. Ask if you/they can get in touch with the super, or call an exterminator.
3. If the sublettee is responsive and sympathetic (awesome!), then work with them to get the super/exterminator in. Don't pay for anything out of your own pocket - this isn't your responsibility, and it's not a problem you created, unless you were leaving piles of crackers on the floor as small shrines/offerings to the mice gods.
4. If the super isn't responsive, push on the sublettee to figure it out.
5. If the sublettee isn't responsive, or if nothing is happening, start looking for another sublet, and mention that you're doing so. Document everything (mouse droppings on kitchen counters? Take a photo!). Chances are that if you're at this point, the sublettee will either suddenly decide to take action, or buckle down and decide not to do anything.
P.S. I'm not mouse-phobic and don't think it's a crazy deal in NYC- obviously undesirable and a problem, but nothing to be freaked about.
posted by suedehead at 12:30 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
1. Clean the apartment of any stray food pieces (don't leave food out, etc.)
2. Call/email your sublettee. Explain the situation. Ask if you/they can get in touch with the super, or call an exterminator.
3. If the sublettee is responsive and sympathetic (awesome!), then work with them to get the super/exterminator in. Don't pay for anything out of your own pocket - this isn't your responsibility, and it's not a problem you created, unless you were leaving piles of crackers on the floor as small shrines/offerings to the mice gods.
4. If the super isn't responsive, push on the sublettee to figure it out.
5. If the sublettee isn't responsive, or if nothing is happening, start looking for another sublet, and mention that you're doing so. Document everything (mouse droppings on kitchen counters? Take a photo!). Chances are that if you're at this point, the sublettee will either suddenly decide to take action, or buckle down and decide not to do anything.
P.S. I'm not mouse-phobic and don't think it's a crazy deal in NYC- obviously undesirable and a problem, but nothing to be freaked about.
posted by suedehead at 12:30 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would talk to the tenant who is subleasing to you, first. If the sublease says it's their responsibility, then you need to tell them anyway. But also, does their lease allow a sublease? If not, it could be a bad idea for you to contact the landlord. You also don't know, without their lease, if this is up to the landlord to fix or the tenant.
posted by J. Wilson at 1:27 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by J. Wilson at 1:27 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I talked to her and she's been responsive (and her gf has been even more responsive), but she's out of the area. I was planning on getting stuff and sending her the receipts...mostly because I want to fix this asap and it sounds like she's on the less terrified spectrum than I am so I'm worried she (or the roommate) won't think an exterminator is necessary (which, to be honest, could very well be valid). I guess I'm hoping she'll realize she needs to cover this :/
Sublets are allowed thankfully. I'd imagine it's the landlord's job as it's university housing, but you never know I suppose. Apparently the last time there was a mouse last year the super didn't do anything, but the mouse went away (and not in to the trap).
I know they are more undesirable than terrifying but I'm really not an animal person...:/
Thank you everyone for the help!
posted by obviousresistance at 1:43 PM on June 14, 2015
Sublets are allowed thankfully. I'd imagine it's the landlord's job as it's university housing, but you never know I suppose. Apparently the last time there was a mouse last year the super didn't do anything, but the mouse went away (and not in to the trap).
I know they are more undesirable than terrifying but I'm really not an animal person...:/
Thank you everyone for the help!
posted by obviousresistance at 1:43 PM on June 14, 2015
Mice need food, water, and shelter. Everyone thinks of the food, but keep control of water sources, too. Then, start removing shelter. If they're under the stove, pull it out and clean under there. There's probably paper and dust bunnies and crap they're hiding in.
If you can make it so they don't have a "home base" to live in (make them keep moving around) plus make it a PITA for them to find food and water, they're not going to like your apartment very much.
posted by ctmf at 8:38 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you can make it so they don't have a "home base" to live in (make them keep moving around) plus make it a PITA for them to find food and water, they're not going to like your apartment very much.
posted by ctmf at 8:38 PM on June 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
So, you could put out cheap traps. It might only be one mouse, and then once you've caught it your problem would be gone...when the mouse is dead you don't have to touch it, you just delicately pick up the edge of the trap and toss the whole shebang in the trash.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:56 PM on June 14, 2015
posted by leahwrenn at 8:56 PM on June 14, 2015
cheap mouse traps
You should be able to find them at your grocery store.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:58 PM on June 14, 2015
You should be able to find them at your grocery store.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:58 PM on June 14, 2015
Response by poster: I put up some traps (I put them in paper bags so I don't have to see it) and put away the food.
My issue really is that I don't want to sit here and deep clean this apartment that I'm subletting. Like I'm going to do it, but it's definitely not worth the amount I'm paying per month and I guess I need to find a way to tell this girl that. Even if it's not her fault--it's not my job either :/
I talked to the super and put down my information on some sheet. It looks like they only bring in exterminators once a month and the next time isn't until July 2nd :/
I'm considering paying for one of those cleaning things through groupon or something. When I was briefly cleaning up the apartment tonight the area under the sink was terrifying. I'm honestly surprised there aren't any cockroaches.
Welcome to nyc I guess :/
posted by obviousresistance at 9:08 PM on June 14, 2015
My issue really is that I don't want to sit here and deep clean this apartment that I'm subletting. Like I'm going to do it, but it's definitely not worth the amount I'm paying per month and I guess I need to find a way to tell this girl that. Even if it's not her fault--it's not my job either :/
I talked to the super and put down my information on some sheet. It looks like they only bring in exterminators once a month and the next time isn't until July 2nd :/
I'm considering paying for one of those cleaning things through groupon or something. When I was briefly cleaning up the apartment tonight the area under the sink was terrifying. I'm honestly surprised there aren't any cockroaches.
Welcome to nyc I guess :/
posted by obviousresistance at 9:08 PM on June 14, 2015
Skip the cheap traps and get these. They are quick, clean, effective and easy to clean up.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 8:45 AM on June 15, 2015
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 8:45 AM on June 15, 2015
Obviously I can't go buy a cat but have been asking around for one I could have wander around for a few days in the apartment.
Yeah IMO a cat -- preferably one that has a history of being a good mouser -- is the way to go, so I hope you find someone who can bring one over for a while. If you do end up borrowing a cat, clean up as much clutter as possible and move the furniture away from the walls to give the mice fewer places to hide from the cat.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:29 AM on June 15, 2015
Yeah IMO a cat -- preferably one that has a history of being a good mouser -- is the way to go, so I hope you find someone who can bring one over for a while. If you do end up borrowing a cat, clean up as much clutter as possible and move the furniture away from the walls to give the mice fewer places to hide from the cat.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:29 AM on June 15, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Isn't this your answer? She's essentially your landlord. She may not even be allowed to sublease so I don't think your contract would be enforceable in that case (IANAL). Anyway, what is your reason for not having contacted her ASAP?
posted by desjardins at 11:54 AM on June 14, 2015