Nothing bugs people as much as finding cockroaches in an apartment building. Needless to say, you’re probably wondering: How do I deal with cockroaches in a rental unit? This guide covers what every landlord and tenant should know about cockroaches in an apartment: why they show up, how to get rid of them effectively, and what the law says about who’s responsible for what. Read along to learn how to handle roaches the smart (and legal) way.
Main Takeaways
- Identifying and preventing cockroaches in an apartment – Cockroaches thrive in apartments due to shared walls, hidden entry points, and accessible food sources. Spotting droppings, musty smells, and unusual daytime activity can indicate a growing problem.
- Tenant and landlord responsibilities – Tenants should report cockroaches in an apartment promptly, maintain cleanliness, and use safe pest control methods. Landlords must address widespread infestations, hire professional exterminators, and ensure buildings remain pest-free.
- Legal obligations and long-term prevention – Landlords are legally required to provide sanitary housing. Preventative steps like sealing entry points, controlling moisture, and coordinating pest management efforts help avoid future outbreaks.
How Do You Know You Have a Problem with Cockroaches in an Apartment?
From what we’ve seen through our work in property management in Philadelphia, PA, seeing one cockroach in your apartment doesn’t always mean there’s an infestation, but there are signs you shouldn’t ignore. If you spot roaches often, especially during the day, that’s a red flag. Roaches usually hide, so when they’re out in the open, it often means the problem is bigger than it looks.
In addition to that, you might also notice an unpleasant, musty smell around the kitchen or bathroom. That smell comes from the roaches themselves, and it gets stronger when there are many of them. Also, when there are small black droppings (they look like coffee grounds), dark smears on walls, or empty eggshells. These usually show up behind appliances, in cabinets, or near baseboards. As unpleasant as these signs are, they’re typically tell-tell ones.
Common Reasons Apartments Get Cockroaches
Cockroaches love apartments because they’re connected, lived-in, and full of hiding spots. Even in buildings that look clean, they’ll find a way in—through cracks in the wall, plumbing gaps, or shared vents between units. If one apartment has roaches, chances are the neighboring ones will soon follow. That’s just how quickly they spread.
Older buildings are especially at risk. We’ve seen cases where all it took was one leaky sink or a warm spot behind the fridge to turn a minor problem into a full-blown infestation. Roaches follow moisture and food, and they’re not picky. They’ll feed on crumbs, grease, cardboard, even soap.
Sometimes, cockroaches aren’t anyone’s fault. Cockroaches often hitchhike into apartments through grocery bags, second-hand furniture, or deliveries. Once they settle in, they’re hard to get rid of—unless you act fast.
What Landlords Should Do to Get Rid of Cockroaches in an Apartment
Once landlords find cockroaches in an apartment, it’s your cue to act as a landlord. Fast, clear action doesn’t just stop the problem—it helps protect your reputation, your income, and your tenants’ health.
1. Start by responding to the tenant right away
Let them know you’ve received their complaint and are on it. Don’t downplay the issue. In multifamily properties, roaches spread easily between units, and what starts in one kitchen can quickly reach several others.
2. Bring in a licensed pest control professional.
There are many rental repairs you can DIY, but this isn’t one of them. Store-bought sprays may kill what you can see, but we can tell you from experience that roaches hide deep in walls, cabinets, and plumbing lines. A certified exterminator will find the source, recommend the right treatment, and help you prevent a bigger outbreak in the future.
3. Prep the unit and communicate with tenants.
Give tenants your location and lease’s required proper notice—usually at least 48 hours—and inform them of the necessary steps to take before treatment (such as clearing the area under the sink or removing food). Clear instructions reduce delays and ensure the treatment works.
4. Seal entry points and eliminate moisture.
Once treatment is underway, block future access. Roaches crawl in through cracks and plumbing gaps, then stick around if they find damp hiding spots. Seal openings around sinks, cabinets, and walls, and fix any leaks quickly. Dry, well-ventilated spaces leave roaches with no reason to come back.
5. Educate tenants—without blaming them.
Share tips on how to keep roaches away, such as sealing food, cleaning up crumbs, and reporting leaks promptly. Make it a team effort. When tenants feel supported—not blamed—they’re more likely to cooperate.
How Renters Should Handle Cockroaches
If you’re a renter, you also have a role to play in getting rid of cockroaches in an apartment. Here’s what you can do to make the situation better:
1. Identify the Problem
The first step in handling a roach infestation is basic: you have to find where they’re hiding. Like we mentioned earlier, some of their common hiding spots are spaces like cabinets, behind appliances, and near plumbing. So, peek in those areas to gauge the issue’s severity.
2. Notify the Landlord
Once you’ve confirmed you’re dealing with an infestation, inform your landlord or property management in writing as soon as possible. As a tenant, you’re on the hook for informing the landlord of the issue in the first place so they can deal with it. When you do so, be sure to document everything with photos and written correspondences. This way, you have a paper trail.
3. Maintain a Clean Environment
Keeping your food and water away makes your home less hospitable to roaches. Store all food in sealed containers, promptly clean up any spills, and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Also, always tout the trash regularly and vacuum or mop floors frequently. This way, you can help eliminate crumbs and roach eggs.
4. Seal Entry Points
Roaches often enter through cracks, gaps, and plumbing openings. If your landlord permits it, use caulk to seal gaps in walls, cabinetry, and baseboards. Also, cover the drain openings with mesh screens and eliminate excess moisture to prevent roaches from thriving.
5. Use Safe Pest Control Methods
Bait stations and gel baits work well in eliminating roaches without spreading the infestation further. Sprays may repel roaches temporarily but often scatter them instead of killing them. Natural options like boric acid powder, diatomaceous earth, and baking soda can serve as effective alternatives when used correctly.
6. Follow Up with the Landlord
If the infestation persists, follow up with your landlord and request professional extermination. If the landlord is unresponsive, review local tenant laws to understand your rights. Some areas allow tenants to arrange pest control themselves and deduct the cost from rent if the landlord fails to act.
7. Prevent Future Infestations
Once the infestation is resolved, ongoing prevention is key. Wipe down your kitchen counters and floors daily and avoid leaving any food out overnight. Speaking of food, store dry foods in sealed containers, especially any food that has flour, sugar, or cereal in it. Last but not least, empty the trash regularly–especially in the kitchen.
Landlord Legal Responsibilities & Local Laws
The law is clear: landlords must provide safe and sanitary housing, and that includes keeping units free of pests like cockroaches.
If a tenant immediately starts noticing roaches upon move-in, it’s likely on the landlord to handle it. And if multiple units are affected, you may face fines or legal issues if you haven’t taken action.
That said, tenants also have responsibilities. If it’s clear the issue is tied to poor housekeeping—like overflowing trash or food left out—the tenant may be responsible for handling and paying the issue, depending on your local laws and lease agreement.
The safest route? Stay ahead of the problem. Schedule regular pest inspections, respond quickly to issues, and make sure your lease outlines who handles what. No matter whether you’re a tenant or landlord, be proactive, transparent, and thorough.
Partner With Experts Who Understand What Your Property Needs
Cockroaches in an apartment can quickly spiral out of control. But with the right steps, you can handle infestations before they become a bigger (and more expensive) issue. And we can help you put it into action.
At Bay Property Management Group, we can work between tenants and landlords to coordinate pest control solutions that work for everyone. And that’s not all. We can handle inspections, property maintenance repairs, and more. To boot, we can implement the letter of the law into practice so that tenant’s rights are respected and landlords have less on their plate. Contact us today or look at our listings today to get started.
