Waterford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 15.08 § 15.08.100
Pest extermination—Eliminating conditions conducive to rat harborage
Operative Text
A. Every occupant of a rental dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of insects and/or rats on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a rental dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a rental dwelling in a ratproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any rental dwelling, or in the shared or public parts of any rental dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner. B. No occupant of a rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal or any other materials in such a manner that may provide a rat harborage in or about any rental dwelling unit. C. No owner or occupant of a rental dwelling or rental dwelling unit shall store, place or allow to accumulate any materials which may serve as food for rats in a site accessible to rats. D. No owner of a let dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall accumulate or permit the accumulation of rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal or any other materials in such a manner that may provide a rat harborage in or about the shared or public areas of a rental dwelling or its premises.
Waterford Code of Ordinances ch. 15.08 § 15.08.100 establishes a shared but context-dependent responsibility for pest extermination and rat-harborage prevention in rental properties. In single-unit rentals, the occupant generally bears extermination responsibility, but that duty shifts to the owner when the infestation stems from the owner's failure to keep the structure ratproof or insectproof. When two or more units—or shared common areas—are infested, extermination becomes the owner's obligation; additionally, both owners and occupants are independently prohibited from allowing conditions, materials, or food sources that could attract or shelter rats.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Waterford Code of Ordinances ch. 15.08 § 15.08.100, compliant property owners of multi-unit rentals take responsibility for extermination whenever infestation spreads to two or more units or appears in shared or common areas. Owners also maintain the structure in a ratproof and reasonably insectproof condition so that extermination responsibility does not shift to them in single-unit situations. In shared and public areas of properties with two or more units, owners avoid accumulating rubbish, lumber, scrap metal, or similar materials that could serve as rat harborage, and they do not allow food sources to remain accessible to rats.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Waterford Code of Ordinances ch. 15.08 § 15.08.100 gives occupants certain rights when pest problems arise from an owner's failure to maintain a ratproof or insectproof structure, or when infestation affects multiple units or common areas—in those situations, the law places extermination responsibility on the owner rather than the tenant. Tenants also have their own obligations under this provision, including not accumulating materials that could harbor rats and not leaving food accessible to rodents. Tenants who believe an owner is failing to meet their extermination or maintenance duties may consider contacting local housing or code-enforcement authorities, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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