Pest Complaint Letter

Use this letter when you have roaches, mice, rats, bed bugs, or another infestation that keeps coming back — especially if it started without anything you did, or if neighbors have it too. A written complaint asks for professional treatment, sets a deadline, and creates the record you need if you later go to a housing inspector or pursue other remedies.

1. 1

   Photograph the pests, droppings, or bites with the date visible. For bed bugs, a sample sealed in tape or a bag helps a professional confirm them.

2. 2

   Keep a simple log of where and when you see them and how often — a week or two of entries is strong evidence.

3. 3

   If neighbors have the same problem, say so: it points to a building-wide cause.

4. 4

   Ask for a licensed professional and for follow-up visits — one treatment rarely ends an infestation.

5. 5

   Follow the pest control company's preparation instructions and keep a record that you did; skipping preparation can be held against you.

6. 6

   Send it in a way you can prove — certified mail, or email plus the tenant portal — and keep copies.

• Serious infestations are usually treated as a habitability problem — something that makes a home unfit to live in — which is generally the landlord's to fix.
• Some leases and local laws make a tenant pay for treatment when the tenant caused the infestation, so describe the source honestly.
• Some states and cities have bed bug laws covering inspection, treatment, or telling new tenants about past infestations. Check your local rules.
• Before withholding rent or paying for treatment yourself, check your state's specific rules — most require written notice and a waiting period first.
• This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.