Q: Can I took my landlord/neighbor to court and sue her over all our personal property being destroyed cause of rats?
We have been dealing with rats in our home for 3-4 months caused by the landlord/neighbor, they've had rats alot longer then us. I've had an professional exterminator out here several times and nothing they do helps get rid of them. The rats are running everywhere day & night, urinating and pooping everywhere and tearing up all our personal property and tearing house up. The landlord/neighbor lives maybe 50-60 feet beside us and keep trash piled up on their back & front porches and carport for days, sometimes weeks. We've discussed this with her several times as their house is loaded with rats too but all she wants is rent money. She won't fix anything wrong with the house or anything she promised to fix before we moved in on Nov.2017. They finally got a exterminator over there about a month ago and the exterminator told us that the rats were so bad over it would take a year to get rid of them.We are looking for another place,house smells of nothin but rat urine. Help in Millboro Va.
A: In Virginia, a neighbor who is not the actual landlord of the Complaintant has no standing to bring a lawsuit under landlord-tenant laws. You may have a claim under Tort law for negligence. I do not handle Tort law matters. You should contact a lawyer who is located in your city/county for a formal opinion. I am located in Akexandria City, VA.
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