Your first steps after finding rodents
Report the problem to your landlord in writing right away, take photos of droppings or damage, and keep copies — then ask for professional pest control and for the entry points to be sealed.
A written report records when the landlord was notified, which matters if the problem drags on. Photograph droppings, gnaw marks, and any damage, and note the sounds or sightings and when they began. Store food in sealed containers, but understand that a real infestation usually needs a licensed exterminator the landlord arranges, plus repairs to close the gaps rodents use.
Be careful cleaning droppings: health agencies generally recommend not sweeping or vacuuming them dry, because that can send particles into the air. If your landlord ignores a written report about rodents, a free review can help you decide what to do next.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.