I think the issue that Hil is facing is that this landlord shares the property. While the behavior is probably not totally legal and is out of bounds jumping to housing board and legal action could make for an extremely uncomfortable living situation.

I'm not sure what's illegal about the landlord being obnoxious. She's allowed to tell the tenant to keep the place clean. She's just being very shitty about the way she's doing it and blaming Hil for something that's not her responsibility.

She's a mean person and a bad landlord but I'm not really seeing how she's treading on Hil's rights as a tenant.

She's a mean person and a bad landlord but I'm not really seeing how she's treading on Hil's rights as a tenant.

That'd be the entering without permission or notice, I think.

OMG Hil, that email made my face burn with furious frustration on your behalf (and possibly because it reminds me way way too much of dealing with a horrible landlord). I'm not even sure what all of that means...she is "hoping that another mouse comes forward"?!?!? Why, so she can nuke the place and then chide you for being a slovenly slattern who leaves enormous chunks of food hanging around in order to deliberately entice rodents. I'm not sure if that email is supposed to be a poorly worded offer to hire a cleaning service or a poorly worded threat to randomly drop in and check the sink for dirty dishes. Either way, how awful.

A dog can keep mice away. It's not as... direct as a cat but the meeses don't want to be around them. Unless, of course, you get a terrier and then its pretty direct.

Peppermint and spearmint oil on cotton balls where they like to go supposedly screw with their very sensitive sense of smell.

And of COURSE you don't want to deal with mouse traps, YOU'RE A FRIKKIN VEGAN.

I think the issue that Hil is facing is that this landlord shares the property. While the behavior is probably not totally legal and is out of bounds jumping to housing board and legal action could make for an extremely uncomfortable living situation.

This.

Thanks, everyone.

Hil, just to be clear -- this is the apartment where you can hear band practice from next door loud enough to rattle your teeth?

Mice happen when it gets cold.

Hil, I think it is important for you to write back to her. As clearly as possible, write that of course you will be taking all reasonable action to keep the mice away. List those actions (wiping counters every night, sweeping kitchen every day, keeping food in containers, etc.). Ask her if there are other actions she would like you to take, ask her to list them specifically if there are, and reiterate that you will do what is *reasonable.*

Ask her if the exterminators are guaranteeing that all the holes are plugged now and that the premises are mouse-free. (they won't be - mice only need a hole the size of a pencil eraser to get in, and can survive for a month on a meal). But make her either lie to you, or admit that the exterminators said no such thing.

Smile a lot, and make her put her requests in writing. If she tries to talk to you, make a point of getting paper and pen so you can take down what she says as she's saying it.

I heart Sparky. And alla y'alls.

Well, a landlord being condescending and rude isn't illegal. However, as billytea said, entering a tenant's property without notice *is*.

Hil, it's not unreasonable for you to tell you landlord that you understand that she wants to keep mice out, AND SO DO YOU, but she needs to give you notice in the agreed-upon time period in your lease before she comes into your apartment.

I also agree with Sparky that you should tell her you'll take reasonable actions to keep the mice away, and ask her if the exterminators guaranteed that all the holes are plugged and the premises are mice-free.

This is not your fault, and I know you need to maintain a civil relationship with your landlord, but she needs to understand that you are not going to let her make this your fault, and she can't violate your privacy (and lease) because she thinks it is.