Am I responsible for Pest Control, or is my Landlord? (Florida rental)?

[berwin]

I am renting a house in Florida, and the detached garage is infested with rats. I have already laid down traps and bait and managed to kill two, but I am still unable to get rid of them. They have destroyed a lot of my property, as well. In my lease, it states that I am responsible for pest control, but the "Florida's Landlord/Tenant Law Summary of Chapter 83, Part II - Florida Statutes" states that "the landlord shall, at all times of the tenancy, make reasonable provisions for extermination of rats, mice, ants and wood destroying organisms and bed bugs." Can I get the landlord to legally do anything to get rid of these rats?

[maddox]

Sounds like they should help out bc if word gets out, no one will want to move in there after you..try the nice approach then threaten to spread the word

[ammi]

From your statement it looks like you have Florida law on your side. You can argue that with your landlord. But you signed the lease.
Frankly I would get out of Florida. Where it is legal to shoot you if you are wearing a hoodie. Florida is very convoluted in its laws. I'm not going there.

[aescby]

I really don't see how that can be an enforceable clause in your lease. Just because it's written and signed by you and the landlord, I wouldn't think it's legal. A private citizen can't change the law. Period. Contact an attorney if you can't get the landlord to take care of this.

[adin55]

land lord
file a claim against him