Re: Tenant brought bed bugs into house - Landlord Forum thread 235011

Re: Tenant brought bed bugs into house by Katiekate (New York) on September 20, 2011 @18:49

Sorry to tell you, but this is your responsibility to deal with.

There isn't any way for ANYONE to be totally certain that they did or didn't bring bedbugs in. It could have been you.
5 star hotels have had to close to get rid of bedbugs...even the finest clothiers have had problems.

So.. recent court cases in New York and New Jersey have settled this..the Landlord in responsible to pay for treatment.

You could try to get the cost back from the tenant...but..I think if it goes to a judge, you will lose. especially if that judge is up on recent case law.

The first time you had any reason to think there were bedbugs you should have gotten an exterminator right then..done this the right way and gotten this over with.

So.. when you talk with the exterminator..he is going to tell you the truly PAINFUL process you will go thru. Believe me, the cost of the exterminator is not going to be your biggest headache.

I make all tenants sign a bedbug addendum and treatment agreement. Once they read thru that..they will move heaven and earth to avoid getting them. If I am forced to stay in a hotel..my luggage stays in the bathtub and the clothing I wear while in the room is bagged separately and kept sealed until I can wash it on HOT and dry it on HOT.
You can never be sure you didn't pick them up on the bus or even in a movie theater (that has happened recently). This isn't about "dirty" tenants .. bedbugs don't care what your social status is.

[ Reply ] [ Return to forum ]