Yeah, I mean, it worked out for Cinderella, right? ;)

Also check the state laws on housing and landlord's responsibility. I bet you won't have to pay.

Both these guys are correct. Landlord and tenant acts will protect you. You do not have to pay rent if the situation is unlivable. Usually there is a phone number you can call if you google the Landlord and tenant board in your area to ask them directly about your rights.

Call some exterminators OP. They'll make sure your apartment is squeaky clean.

I think they need to rat out the leasing office first though

It depends on the lease agreement. I lived in a duplex where it stated in the lease if we were to have that problem it would be our responsibility, not theirs. Shitty, but some do that.

Make sure to check the lease agreement to see what the owners say about pets. Some places will make you put down a deposit per cat or dog.

My landlord didn't want pets but I got 2 cats anyways. He eventually found out but didn't seem to care

No, OP wil be kicked out real soon...

They would have to go through an evection process and he would get to fight for what is right

Withholding rent would just show immaturity. I'm having the same issue and just ended up putting traps up. Fixed the problem and didn't get on my landlords bad side.

It depends on where they live. In some parts of the USA. The renter does have the legal option to withhold rent if the owners are violating health code(s).

Withholding rent is not immature. If you pay to rent a place you are entitled to get what you paid for. The proper way to go about it is to put the rent in an escrow account at a bank with your landlord as the second party. This shows that OP intends to pay while also keeping the funds from the landlord until the matter is handled. OP should check their local laws and their lease to see what their options are. Sometimes a couple traps fix it, sometimes it doesn't. What I find more upsetting was the manager's reaction. In my state what he told OP would be illegal. The upkeep of the premises is the landlord's legal obligation. If OP has the legal right, I would suggest they use an escrow account. If the manager is blaming OP for the mice, what will they blame them for next time?

fuck that go a step harder go scrounge up some bedbugs and put them in the office

Yeah, until you have to clean up the blood bath, or, even better, you have a cat who can't hunt.