Your Rights As An Apartment Tenant With Bedbug Problems

For many people, an apartment is a clever and affordable housing solution. It provides just the right amount of space, security, and safety for people looking for a convenient location near their work or school. But just like most homes, apartment units have their own share of problems too. Some units have structural weaknesses, leaking pipes, or faulty electrical components. But one of the most common predicaments apartment tenants suffer is bedbug infestation.

Bedbugs thrive inside mattresses and reproduce in great numbers. Some people are susceptible to skin rashes and allergies when exposed to bedbugs. Certain steps should be done to eliminate bedbugs and prevent them from infesting your bed ever again. 

The Landlord’s Responsibility
If you have a bedbug problem in your apartment, the first person that you should inform is your landlord. But there’s a chance that he or she will blame you for bringing bedbugs into the apartment. When that happens, it’s best to know your rights as an apartment tenant.

It is always the responsibility of the landlord to ensure each and every apartment unit is in good living condition. That means every health standard is complied with, including the prevention of bedbugs. Once you have informed your landlord of these pest’s presence, the next logical step is to conduct a thorough inspection of your bedroom. Now, don’t worry about this inspection because your landlord is obligated to inform you within 24 hours when the visit to your apartment unit will occur.

Of course, a landlord can extend his right to inspect for any trace of bedbug infestation to other apartment units. If the landlord wants to ensure these bedbugs will not reproduce and cause more trouble, he or she can ask nearby apartment owners for an inspection. Again, landlords must issue a 24-hour notice to their tenants before any pest inspection.​

The Tenant’s Responsibility
Every apartment tenant has the responsibility to prepare his or her unit when a landlord orders a bedbug inspection. This process includes thorough cleaning and organizing of one’s unit for a landlord to totally assess the presence of bedbugs and the damage they have caused. 

When apartment tenants fail to comply with this inspection or interfere with the process, landlords have the right to evict them. On the other hand, apartment tenants may complain to the authorities if their respective landlords fail to assist them with their bedbug problems. They can also ask for the assistance of medical clinics to prove any ailment or skin disease caused by bedbugs.

Now here comes the tricky part: Once bedbugs are found inside an apartment unit, professional pest exterminators should be hired to deal with this problem right away. As it is with all professionals, these exterminators need to get paid for their services. Who pays for them? The landlord should finance the elimination of the bedbugs so that they won’t become a bother to the tenants. 

Jersey City Exterminators offers affordable and effective bedbug treatments. Contact us to assess the bedbug situation of your apartment or home.