pests
What should you do if you find pests in your home ?
Document the situation. Take photos or videos of the pests and note the dates they appeared. This evidence will be useful if you need to take official steps.
Notify your landlord immediately. Send an email or a registered letter Letter sent with acknowledgement of receipt, proving that the recipient has received the mail. This procedure costs around €10. describing the problem in detail.
Ask for a prompt intervention to deal with the infestation. You will find an example of such a request a little further down on this page.
Keep a written record of all exchanges.
Your landlord doesn’t react ?
Contact a support service such as the CPAS, a community center, or a tenant support association in your area to get help and advice. See the association page under : Who to contact ?
You can report the situation to the Regional Housing Inspection Department (DIRL). They can inspect the dwelling and require the landlord to carry out repairs if needed. Be aware that these procedures carry a risk of eviction if the housing is deemed dangerous for your safety. See the video “How to file a complaint about unhealthy housing ?“.
If the situation becomes unbearable : You have the right to take the case to the justice of the peace. They can order repairs, reduce the rent, or suspend the lease in cases of serious uninhabitability. You can ask for help with this process at the Legal Aid Office (BAJ).
Mail Type
Subject: Pest infestation in my home Hello, I am contacting you as the tenant of the home located at [address of home] to report the presence of pests (bedbugs / cockroaches / rats / pigeons...). This situation is affecting my health and comfort. I would like you to call in a professional to deal with the problem, and to repair any cracks or openings causing the infestation. Please intervene within 15 days of this message, failing which I shall be obliged to call in the appropriate authorities. Yours faithfully [Your first and last name]