A tenant with pests in a Montgomery County apartment should tell the owner or manager in writing first, since the repair is theirs. Pest and rodent complaints are directed to MC311, and the county's Housing Code Enforcement applies the housing maintenance standards in Chapter 26.
Key takeaways
- Tell the owner or manager in writing first, and keep a copy of the message.
- Montgomery County directs tenants to MC311 for pest and rodent complaints.
- Housing Code Enforcement, run by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, administers Chapter 26.
- County guidance puts rat elimination on the property owner.
- In 2025 local news reported a Silver Spring unit condemned over rats after a viral video.
- Keep dates, photos and notes of every sign, because a written record helps any complaint.
Who is responsible for pests in an apartment?
The owner or manager is responsible for the repair and for the elimination of rodents under county guidance. A tenant's role is to report the problem clearly and keep a record of it.
The county directs tenants to MC311 for pest and rodent complaints. The county's housing code is administered through Housing Code Enforcement, which covers the maintenance standards for rental housing.
A tenant's first step is still the owner or manager, because the owner can act fastest on the shared structure. The county route is there when that does not happen.
What is the first step for a tenant?
Tell the owner or manager in writing, describe what you saw and where, and say when it started. A written message creates a record that the owner was told.
Email or a letter is better than a phone call, because it gives a date and a copy. Keep the message, and note any reply and when the repair was promised.
Do not wait to see whether the problem goes away, because pests in shared walls can spread to neighbouring units.
How do you report to the county?
Report pest and rodent complaints to the county through MC311. Keep the reference or ticket details and the date, so the complaint can be followed up.
The county's housing inspectors check rental housing against the maintenance standards in Chapter 26. A complaint that is recorded and dated is easier to follow up than a verbal one.
Tell the county whether you have told the owner in writing and when, since that history matters to the inspector.
What did the 2025 Silver Spring case show?
Local news reported in 2025 that a Silver Spring apartment unit was condemned over rats after a viral video. The complex is not named here, and the case shows what a county inspection can lead to.
The report attributed the inspection to county housing inspectors. A condemned unit is an extreme result.
The point for a tenant is that a written record and a county complaint are both useful if the owner does not act.
What pests show up most in multi-unit housing?
Rodents, cockroaches and ants are general apartment problems, because they move through shared walls, pipe chases and common areas. Bed bugs are also a general apartment problem.
Pests that move through shared structure need a check of the neighbouring units and common areas, not only the unit that reported them.
This guide does not state a landlord's bed bug duties, because the state bill's enacted form was not confirmed in the sources used. Check the current state rules before relying on any duty.
| Step | Who | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tell the owner or manager in writing | Tenant | Starts the owner's repair duty and creates a record |
| Report to MC311 | Tenant | Creates a county complaint that can be followed up |
| Keep dates, photos and notes | Tenant | Shows what was seen and when |
| Inspect the unit and shared spaces | Technician | Finds entry points and the neighbouring spaces at risk |
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay for a pest service myself?
That depends on your lease and what the owner has agreed to. Tell the owner in writing first, and call (855) 974-4733 for an inspection so you have a record of what was found.
What if the owner does nothing?
Keep your written messages and dates, then report the problem through MC311. A county inspection can check the unit against the housing maintenance standards.
Is a pest sighting in a shared hallway my problem?
It is a building problem, so tell the owner or manager in writing. Pests in shared spaces can reach several units, and a technician will check the common areas as part of the visit.
Can I be evicted for reporting pests?
A tenant should check the lease and local tenant rights for their situation. This guide does not give legal advice, so ask a qualified adviser about your case.
Sources
- Montgomery County DHCA – Housing Code Enforcement
- Montgomery County – Rat Control Program flyer (April 2026)
This guide is general information for Montgomery County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.