Landlord Fined for Trash Overflow

The DOHMH issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to manage waste to prevent pests. The agency's inspector saw accumulated and scattered litter overflowing from plastic garbage bins at the front side of the building. These unsanitary garbage conditions provided food for rodents. Landlord claimed that he lived at the building and that there were no rats there. He said he added a new garbage bag whenever trash overflowed. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $300. Landlord appealed and lost. Health Code Section 151.02(b) requires that all trash and recyclables be deposited and stored for pickup in tightly covered, watertight receptacles that were resistant to pests. Landlord didn't have a sufficient number of trash bins at the building.

Bushati: ECB App. No. 1300616 (8/29/13) [3-pg. doc.]