Unfit living conditions?

[double0drifter]

I recently moved into a new apartment which, as it turns out, has a serious flea infestation. When I went to look at the place I got a couple bites, told the landlord and he agreed to take care of it by fogging the place before I moved in. Not knowing anything about fleas I assumed this would take care of the problem. It didn't even come close. Once I moved in and discovered there was still a problem I took it upon myself to try carpet powders (twice), foggers (twice), sprays (a million times), and vacuumed everyday and none took care of the problem. I therefore called the landlord and told him how bad it was and he agreed to call in an exterminator. That didn't take care of it either, and I still have to vacuum everyday. My last ditch effort is to have the exterminator come back a second time.

I'm posting this thread to see what my options are. I can't stand living here as it is now, if this infestation isn't taken care of I will be moving out. I want to know if I can get out of my lease without consequence due to unfit living conditions. All I want is my security deposit back, and to get out of the lease without any fines. Is any of this possible? If I can't get rid of the infestation or out of the lease what should I do? I appreciate any and all advice given to me, I'm in a real bind here.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Sprays, bombs, foggers, etc. will take care of adult fleas but not any eggs that have been laid; they are encased in a hard shell and are "glued" to the surface they fall on (usually a carpet) so even running a vacuum won't pick them up.

They'll hatch in roughly 10 days and the cycle begins all over again.

The trick is to have at least two visits from an exterminator; one to kill the initial adults, the second to take care of any eggs that hatch after this.

Do you have any pets? If so, their presence can extend the cycle as the female flea would have a source of blood to use so she can lay her eggs and start the whole process again.

In terms of whether a unit is unfit to live in and whether or not a tenant can get out of a lease without a financial punishment; the issue that comes up in court is whether or not the landlord responded to the flea issue quickly or ignored it.

Gail