Newbie with Major Landlord issue in Mandeville, Louisiana

[Rick Day]

I am in the process of moving to Mandeville, LA and got an apartment last week. My girlfriend moved in on Monday and found out that the apartment has a flea infestation the very next day. This is in a nice area and a nice apartment. (2 BR 2 BA for $1115/mo) She found out b/c her son got sick and she had to take him to the hospital with breathing issues, fever, and throwing up.

Very long story short… all they've done is call Orkin and have the place bombed and sprayed and everything else has just been words. My girlfriend is having to wash ALL their clothes, clean the entire apartment, and many other things she shouldn't have to be doing. Not to mention all the money this is costing us from groceries, laundry bill, gas, moving expenses (i paid a lot extra to move her in same day b/c she needed to get out of her current situation as fast as possible), and now i can't move this weekend, which is going to cost me several hundred dollars. They are refusing to replace the carpet and even trying to argue about shampooing the carpet.

I called them 2 days ago and told them that i am a fair person and all is expect is a fair resolution and to treat us as if it were happening to them and there wouldn't be a problem. Needless to say, that hasn't happened and i will be showing up on Monday to have a meeting with the 2 property managers. Any suggestions or legal courses of action i have? I thought i would ask my new "family" their thoughts on this situation. I have an idea about what to do when i get there, but to save you time reading and to see if i would handle it the same as you more experienced RE experts. I'm looking at this as a learning lesson on a lot of levels with my new venture into the RE investing/Prop management career. I look forward to your responses and suggestions. I will be spending my time between now and Monday reading up on the landlord codes, etc. Thanks!

[Colleen F.]

The symptoms don't sound like they are related to fleas as fleas will give you bites but not a fever. If the child is asthmatic they may react poorly with breathing issues when in a dusty environment and carpet may collect dust especially as you stir it up when you are moving. Make sure they have treated and re-treat the carpet for fleas if needed. Do not vacuum immediately after they treat for the fleas. Weekly check for fleas until they are gone.

Really it is annoying but things happen. Don't be afraid to ask for another treatment for the fleas if they remain alive but as the previous posters have said carpet shampooing won't kill fleas. Also bag anything cloth once it is washed to limit re-infestation that will save her some washing.

In any case try to have a civil conversation with the property manager, otherwise you will be off on the wrong foot. I am not saying don't insist on remedying the fleas if they are still there just be civil about it. You will get more out of it.