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Community Corner

Have Bedbugs? 5 Legal Tips for Tenants

Tenant's rights attorney Frances Campbell gives tips on how to protect yourself from bedbug infestations.

Following the release of a report by Terminix of the Most Bedbug-Infested Cities, Sherman Oaks tenant’s rights attorney Frances Campbell authored a set of tips for tenants to better understand their legal rights when it comes to bedbug infestations. And — in case you were wondering — 2012 was the first year LA thankfully did not make the list of the top 15 cities. The full lists can be found here.

We’ve all heard the horror stories about bedbugs and the problem is just getting worse. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), reported instances of bedbugs are increasing to “a near pandemic state.”

Here is some advice for consumers seeking to protect themselves against bedbug infestations.

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  • Before accepting a rental property, ask the landlord if the building has ever been infested with bedbugs. Make sure someone is with you who can testify later, if necessary, that you asked that question and that the landlord gave you an acceptable answer. Also ask whether the landlord has a written Bedbug Protocol.
  • If possible, hire a Pest Management Professional to conduct an inspection of the property before moving into a new dwelling, as well as of your existing belongings to ensure you don’t transmit bedbugs from one place to another. If you believe the landlord will not allow this, hire a Pest Management Professional to accompany you as a “friend” when you inspect the rental unit for the first time. This can help protect you not only from infestation, but also will protect you if your landlord accuses you of bringing bedbugs into the building.
  • Tenants should taking immediate action to provide written notification of a bedbug infestation, even if they are embarrassed to admit they have bedbugs. A bedbug infestation is likely a building-wide problem, and, if it is not, it soon will be unless tenants diligently report infestations. If you are in a single-family residence, it is the landlord's obligation to control infestation at the beginning of the tenancy, and perhaps thereafter, depending upon the laws of your state. If you are in multi-family housing, then the landlord is always obligated to provide pest control. Typically, a bedbug infestation can only be treated effectively by licensed pest control experts. This is not a job for your handyman. In fact, if a landlord attempts to eradicate the bedbugs himself, the landlord is likely to make the problem worse, because bedbugs multiply quickly traveling from unit to unit through walls, ceilings and floors.
  • If you discover bedbugs, file a claim with local health department, housing department or code compliance department or department of building and safety.
  • If you have been bitten by bedbugs, see a doctor to obtain proof. Make sure the doctor mentions the bedbugs in your medical records.

If readers have other questions for Frances Campbell or other attorneys, they can visit Avvo.com

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