Renters, landlords and pests in California
California puts a lot on the landlord, and asks tenants to report and cooperate. This is general information from state sources, not legal advice.
Calls are answered early morning to late evening
What the landlord has to do
The California Attorney General's tenant guidance says a landlord must keep a home habitable, and lists adequate pest control for rodents and insects such as roaches and bed bugs (see Civil Code section 1941.1). A landlord may also not retaliate against you for asking for repairs or for reporting a health problem to an agency (section 1942.5).
Tenants have their part too. The same guidance says tenants must keep the home sanitary and avoid damaging it, and that a tenant may be charged for damage they cause.
If you rent and have pests
Put it in writing
A text, email or letter works. Keep copies and take photos or video.
Give it some time
Allow the landlord a fair chance to respond and arrange treatment, and cooperate with access.
Escalate if nothing happens
The Attorney General points tenants to the local code enforcement office or health department, and to legal aid through LawHelpCA.org.
The bed bug rules
Civil Code section 1954.603 requires landlords to give tenants written information about bed bugs and a way to report them. The Berkeley Rent Board has a plain summary, and that statute applies across California. The state's 2026 tenant guide also says a landlord must give the notice before a new tenancy starts.
If you are the landlord
Keep a record of each report and of what you did. California's pesticide notice goes to the tenant as well as the owner, so make sure the company has the tenant's contact details. Cooperate on timing, particularly for bed bugs in neighboring units. For a specific dispute, talk to a lawyer or a local housing agency.
Seeing it now? Make the call.
You will be connected with an independent pest control company that works in your area. Say what you have seen and where, then ask about the visit. Nothing is decided until you agree to it with the company.
Calls are answered early morning to late evening
Calls may be recorded. See the referral disclosure and privacy policy.