Landlord Fined for Signs of Rats in Front of Building

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued two violation notices to landlord for failing to eliminate pests and conditions conducive to pests and for failing to manage waste to prevent pests. The inspector found active signs of rats based on findings that, in a rat-infested area, there were signs of gnawing at accumulated garbage and exposed food debris in front of the building. Landlord claimed that the three-family house received regular extermination services and that her handyman visited the building three days a week to place garbage and recycling out for collection, and that he swept the front area when he was there. She claimed that passersby must have discarded the trash found there. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined her $600. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord submitted proof of extermination two weeks after the violations were issued. Otherwise her proof showed that prior extermination services were provided only every three to six months. This was insufficient.

Crenshaw: ECB App. No. 1701163 (1/18/18) [3-pg. doc.]