Landlord Fined for Evidence of Rats in Garbage Area

DOHMH issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to keep a premises free of pests. The inspector found active rat signs around the building. There were fresh droppings at the garbage storage area at the left side yard of the building. Landlord argued that rats were coming from a neighboring building that was under construction for about a year. Landlord also showed that it had paid for extermination services during the prior six months. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $300. The ALJ found there was no proof that the garbage storage area was treated as part of landlord's pest control service. Landlord appealed and lost. The ALJ had asked landlord what was included in "basic monthly services," but landlord referred only to services provided inside the building. It also wasn't a defense that rats may have been coming from the neighboring building.

Edgecombe 875 LLC: ECB App. No. 1900139 (4/4/19) [2-pg. doc.]