What to do when you see a mouse or signs of mice

If you see a mouse or find droppings, gnaw marks, or holes in your apartment, the first step is to tell your landlord or property manager in writing—email works, but keep a copy. Most lease agreements and local housing codes make the landlord responsible for pest control, not the tenant. Document what you found: take photos, note the date and location, and describe what you saw. This creates a record in case the problem continues or gets worse.

Do not assume you caused the problem or that you have to pay for treatment. Mice enter buildings through gaps around pipes, foundation cracks, and holes in walls—problems that belong to the building owner. Your job is to report it; the landlord's job is to fix it. If your landlord does not respond within a reasonable time (usually 24 to 48 hours for a pest issue), you have other options depending on where you live.

Key Takeaways

  • Report mice to your landlord in writing when ready, with photos and dates, because pest control is the landlord's legal responsibility in most places.
  • Your landlord must hire a licensed pest control company; you should not buy your own traps or poison without asking first, as it can interfere with professional treatment.
  • If your landlord ignores the problem, you can contact your local housing authority or health department, which can order the landlord to treat the infestation.
  • Keep your apartment clean and seal food in containers, but understand that cleanliness alone will not stop mice if the building has entry points or other units are infested.
  • Some states and cities allow tenants to pay for pest control themselves and deduct the cost from rent, but only after following specific notice procedures—check your local rules first.

How to report the problem to your landlord

Send an email or letter to your landlord or property management company describing exactly what you found: "I saw a mouse in my kitchen on [date]" or "I found droppings under the sink on [date]." Include the room, the time of day if you remember it, and any damage you noticed. Attach photos if you have them. Do not wait for the next rent payment or a routine maintenance request—pest issues need when ready attention.

Keep a copy of everything you send. If you email, you have a timestamp. If you mail a letter, send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. This matters because if your landlord does not respond and you need to involve a government agency later, you will need to show that you reported the problem and when.

In your message, ask your landlord when they will schedule a pest control company to inspect and treat. Do not agree to let them "just put out some traps"—professional pest control companies have tools and knowledge that work better and faster than DIY methods. Ask for a specific date and time so you can be home if needed.

What happens after you report it

Your landlord should hire a licensed pest control company within a few days. The company will inspect your apartment and neighboring units to find entry points and the extent of the infestation. They may set traps, use bait stations, or spray—the method depends on how bad the problem is. You may need to leave your apartment for a few hours if they use chemical treatment, and they will tell you what to do to prepare (usually removing food and covering dishes).

After the first treatment, the pest control company usually schedules follow-up visits one to two weeks later. Mice can take time to eliminate completely, especially if multiple units are infested. Your landlord pays for all of this; you should not receive a bill. If you do, contact your local housing authority because charging tenants for required pest control is illegal in most places.

The pest control company may also recommend that your landlord seal holes and gaps in walls, around pipes, and under baseboards. This is the landlord's responsibility and prevents mice from returning. If they do not do this after treatment, the mice will come back.

What to do if your landlord does not respond

If your landlord ignores your report or delays treatment for more than a week, contact your local health department or housing authority. Most cities and counties have a complaint line or online form. Tell them you reported the problem to your landlord and when, and that no action has been taken. Provide your photos and copies of your written reports. The health department can inspect your apartment, document the infestation, and order your landlord to treat it within a set time frame.

In some states, you can also withhold rent or pay rent into an escrow account (a neutral third party holds the money) until the landlord fixes the problem. This is called "repair and deduct" or "rent abatement," but the rules vary by state and city. Before you do this, check your local tenant rights organization or call your housing authority to learn the exact steps you must follow. Doing it wrong can give your landlord grounds to evict you, even though the law is on your side.

If you live in a building with multiple units, ask your neighbors if they have mice too. If several apartments are infested, the health department will take it more seriously and move faster. The landlord cannot ignore a formal government order.

Steps you can take in your own apartment

While you wait for your landlord to arrange professional treatment, you can reduce the chance that mice will stay in your space. Store all food—including pet food, cereal, flour, and nuts—in sealed plastic or glass containers, not in boxes or bags. Clean up crumbs and spills right away, take out garbage regularly, and do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Mice need very little food to survive, so even small amounts matter.

Seal cracks and holes you can see in your apartment, especially around pipes under the sink and where utilities enter the wall. Use steel wool or caulk—mice cannot chew through steel wool. However, understand that this is a temporary measure. If mice are entering from other units or from outside the building, sealing your apartment alone will not stop them. The real fix is the landlord sealing the building's exterior and common areas.

Do not set your own traps or buy poison without checking with your landlord first. If a pest control company is coming, they need to know what you have already done so they can work safely and effectively. Some treatments interact badly with traps or poison you have set. Also, if you catch a mouse yourself, you still have to deal with the body, which is unpleasant and carries a small health risk.

Understanding the cost and who pays

Your landlord pays for pest control. This is not optional—it is a legal requirement in every state. Landlords must maintain apartments in a condition fit for living, which includes being free of pests. If your landlord tries to charge you for pest control or deduct it from your security deposit, that is illegal. Report it to your local housing authority or tenant rights organization.

In a few states and cities, tenants can hire a pest control company themselves and deduct the cost from rent, but only if the landlord has failed to respond within a specific time frame (usually 14 to 30 days) and only if you follow the exact notice procedure required by law. This is not a shortcut—it requires written notice to your landlord, proof of delivery, and documentation of the treatment. Check your state or city tenant handbook before you do this, because the rules are strict and doing it wrong can backfire.

When to suspect a larger building problem

If you treat the mice in your apartment and they come back within a few weeks, the problem is likely in the building itself, not your unit. Mice may be living in walls, attics, or crawl spaces and entering through gaps you cannot see. They may also be coming from neighboring apartments. In this case, your landlord needs to hire a pest control company to inspect and treat the entire building, not just your unit.

Tell your landlord that the problem has returned and ask them to do a building-wide inspection. If they refuse or if the problem persists after a second treatment, contact your health department again. A persistent infestation across multiple units is a serious code violation and will get faster action from government inspectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I break my lease if my landlord will not get rid of mice?

In most states, yes—a severe pest infestation makes an apartment unlivable, which is grounds for breaking a lease without penalty. However, you must first report the problem to your landlord in writing and give them a reasonable time to fix it (usually 14 to 30 days, depending on your state). If they do not act, you can move out. Document everything: your written reports, photos, and any government inspection reports. Consult your local tenant rights organization before you move to make sure you follow the right steps.

What if I see a mouse but my landlord says there is no infestation?

One mouse does not always mean an infestation, but it does mean mice have entered the building. Report it anyway. Your landlord should at least have a pest control company inspect and seal entry points. If you see more mice or find droppings over the next week or two, report that too. A pattern of sightings is stronger evidence and will push your landlord to act faster.

Should I tell my neighbors about the mice?

Yes, especially if you live in a multi-unit building. Mice travel between apartments through walls and shared spaces. Your neighbors may have mice too and not realize it. If several tenants report the problem, your landlord is more likely to treat the whole building instead of just your unit. A building-wide treatment is more effective than treating one apartment at a time.

Can I use poison or traps on my own?

You can, but it is better to wait for professional pest control if possible. Poison can be dangerous if you have pets or children, and traps require you to handle dead mice. If you do set traps, tell your landlord so the pest control company knows what you have done. Never use poison and traps at the same time—the combination can be ineffective or unsafe.

How long does it take to get rid of mice?

Professional treatment usually takes two to four weeks from the first visit. The pest control company inspects, treats, and then returns for follow-up visits to make sure the mice are gone. If the building has entry points that are not sealed, mice can return after treatment. The landlord's responsibility includes both treating the infestation and sealing the building to prevent new mice from entering.