What you can do as a tenant to eliminate roaches
Roaches in an apartment are a landlord's responsibility to treat, but you can take steps that make treatment work faster and prevent them from coming back. The most effective approach combines three things: removing food and water sources, sealing entry points you can access, and reporting the problem to your landlord in writing so there is a record.
Start by cleaning thoroughly. Roaches need three things to survive: food, water, and shelter. Remove crumbs and grease from counters, stovetops, and under appliances. Take out garbage daily and keep it in a sealed container. Wipe up standing water under sinks and around pipes. Store food in airtight containers, not open boxes or bags. These steps alone often reduce the population enough to make professional treatment effective.
Seal cracks and gaps where roaches hide and enter. Use caulk on gaps around baseboards, under cabinets, and around pipes. You can do this yourself with a caulk gun and silicone caulk from any hardware store — it costs $3 to $8 per tube. Do not seal gaps around pipes that go to other units, since roaches can still travel through the pipe itself; your landlord's pest control service will address that.
Key Takeaways
- Roaches are a habitability issue, meaning your landlord is legally required to treat them at no cost to you in most states.
- Report the problem to your landlord in writing (email or text counts) and keep a copy, because you may need proof you reported it.
- Clean food sources, seal cracks, and remove standing water before the pest control visit so treatment has the best chance of working.
- If your landlord does not respond or treatment fails after 30 days, you can contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization for next steps.
How to report the problem to your landlord
Send a written notice to your landlord describing the problem: how many roaches you see, where you see them, and when you first noticed them. Email, text message, or a letter all count as written notice. Keep a copy for yourself. Do not rely on a phone call or a conversation — you need a record that you reported it.
Your landlord is required by law in most states to treat roaches within a reasonable time, usually 14 to 30 days depending on where you live. If your lease says you are responsible for pest control, that clause is usually not enforceable for roaches, since they are considered a building-wide problem, not a tenant-caused one. Check your local tenant rights organization's website to confirm the rule in your state.
If your landlord does not respond or schedules treatment more than 30 days away, send a follow-up email referencing your first report. Include the date you first reported it. This creates a paper trail if you need to file a complaint later.
What to expect from professional pest control treatment
When your landlord's pest control service arrives, they will typically spray baseboards, under cabinets, and around pipes with an insecticide. The treatment takes 30 to 60 minutes. You may need to leave the apartment for a few hours while the spray dries. Ask the pest control technician what precautions to take — some products require you to keep pets and children away from treated surfaces for a set time.
One treatment rarely eliminates roaches completely. Most pest control companies schedule a follow-up visit 7 to 14 days later to catch roaches that hatched after the first spray. If your landlord does not schedule a second visit, ask them to. Roaches have life cycles, and a single spray misses eggs that are already in the walls.
After treatment, continue cleaning and sealing. Roaches can return if food sources reappear or if they enter from neighboring units. If you see roaches again after two treatments, report it again in writing and ask your landlord to contact the pest control company about a different product or approach.
When roaches come from neighboring units
Roaches move between apartments through shared walls, pipes, and electrical conduits. If you live in a multi-unit building and your neighbors do not clean or report their own roaches, the problem will return to your unit even after treatment. Your landlord is responsible for treating the entire building, not just your apartment, when roaches are a building-wide issue.
If treatment in your unit fails and you suspect neighboring units are infested, tell your landlord that in writing. Ask them to inspect and treat adjacent units. Some landlords will do this without being asked; others need the request documented. If your landlord refuses to treat the building as a whole, contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization — they can pressure the landlord to treat all affected units.
What to do if your landlord does not treat the problem
If your landlord ignores your written report or refuses to treat roaches, you have options depending on your state. Many states allow tenants to withhold rent, pay for treatment themselves and deduct the cost from rent, or break the lease without penalty. Some states require you to give your landlord a second written notice before taking these steps. Do not withhold rent or pay for treatment without checking your state's tenant laws first — doing it wrong can give your landlord grounds to evict you.
Contact your local housing authority, tenant rights organization, or legal aid office. They can tell you what your state allows and help you file a complaint if needed. Many areas have free tenant hotlines that answer questions about landlord responsibilities. Search "[your city] tenant rights" or call 211 to find local resources.
Document everything: dates you saw roaches, dates you reported them, the landlord's response (or lack of one), and photos of roaches if you can take them. This record is what you will need if you file a complaint or pursue legal action.
Preventing roaches after treatment
Once treatment is complete, roaches can return if conditions allow them to survive. Keep your apartment clean: wipe down surfaces daily, do not leave dishes in the sink overnight, and take out garbage regularly. Store food in sealed containers. Fix any leaks under sinks or around pipes, since roaches need water to survive.
Seal gaps around baseboards, under cabinets, and around pipes with caulk. Ask your landlord to seal larger gaps in the walls or around pipes that go to other units. If you see roaches again within a few weeks, report it when ready — early treatment is more effective than waiting.
If your building has a chronic roach problem, talk to neighbors about reporting it too. Landlords are more likely to treat the entire building if multiple tenants complain. A building-wide treatment is more effective than treating one apartment at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I break my lease because of roaches?
In most states, yes — roaches make an apartment uninhabitable, which gives you the right to break your lease without penalty. You usually have to give your landlord written notice and a reasonable time to treat the problem first, often 14 to 30 days. Check your state's tenant laws or contact a local tenant rights organization to confirm the exact process.
Should I buy roach traps or spray before calling my landlord?
Traps are fine and can help you track whether the problem is getting worse or better. Over-the-counter sprays are less effective than professional treatment and may not be safe around children or pets. Report the problem to your landlord first — they are required to pay for professional treatment, so you should not have to buy it yourself.
What if I see roaches after the landlord treated them?
Report it in writing again, referencing the date of the first treatment. Ask your landlord to schedule a follow-up visit or contact the pest control company about retreating. If roaches return within 30 days of treatment, most pest control companies will retreat at no extra cost — ask your landlord to request that may provide.
Can roaches spread disease or cause health problems?
Roaches can carry bacteria and trigger allergies or asthma, especially in children. This is another reason roaches are considered a habitability problem — your landlord must treat them. If you or someone in your household has health problems related to roaches, mention that in your written report to your landlord.
Do I have to let the pest control company into my apartment?
Yes, in most states your lease requires you to allow access for repairs and pest control. If you are not home when they arrive, your landlord may have the right to enter with notice. Coordinate a time that works for you, or ask your landlord to reschedule if the timing does not work.