What are my rights if breaking a lease due to poor upkeep and problems with roaches, even after extermination?

I lived in an apartment, where the refrigerator constantly leaked and there were problems with roaches,bad. I contacted the office they sent an exterminator and I even bought an $80.00 bottle of professional spray and that didn't work. When I later called the complex after I left I was asked by the manager of the complex why I left and I explained to her that I couldn't live with roaches, she stated that it was from the lady's apartment under me and that her apartment was so filthy, that they had to put her out.

It depends on your lease and what state you live in. Have you reported problems with your home to the management IN WRITING (if your lease says you are required to do this).

If you are a member of a minority group, you can go to the HUD site at www.hud.gov and read about the fair housing laws. I also found the steps to take to ensure I had evidence by keeping notes, making copies of anything submitted to management. Keep communications with management in writing and request a response in writing. That way you have hard physical evidence with which to report any wrongdoings to HUD.

Stay calm and Be nice (even though you don't want to be nice).

Follow the rules of the lease to the letter so the management has no evidence showing that you have broken the lease as a tenant.

There are a number of Tenant's Rights" publications should you find that you certainly do have the right to break your lease.

Go to your states' attorney general website and click on something similar to "housing." "Landlord and Tenant's rights" something like that. Follow the steps. It is very difficult, I know. I am in the middle of a Fair Housing battle myself and am finally to the point of HUD gathering evidence. I'm making a lot of copies of stuff!