Rat Burrows Found on Landlord's Property

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued a violation notice to landlord for failure to keep his building free of pests and conditions conducive to pests. The inspector found rat burrows on the side of the building and inadequate stoppage, because a gap at the bottom of a garage door gave rats unobstructed entry into the building. Landlord claimed that it had filled the burrow with concrete. He also denied that the gap in the garage door caused rats to enter the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $600. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord's rodent extermination program didn't start until after the violation notice was issued. And landlord's claim about the garage door was without merit.

Stuart: ECB App. No. 1100689 (11/17/11) [3-pg. doc.]