we rent a furn. apart. it came w/ bed bugs. Can we get out of our lease and get our money back?

Question

When we moved in the apartment was filthy, so my husband and I cleaned it. Then we found out we had bed bugs, so we cleaned it. Then the bug guy came and sprayed, then we cleaned it. We found more bugs so he came and sprayed, we cleaned it. Then he scheduled a time so he could come and spray and we wouldn't be here, he sprayed we cleaned. When he sprayed this time he left pesticide residue on everything (I took pictures) so that was even more work. I have two kids, I can't be going through this every 2 or 3 days. We haven't even been here a month and already we have cleaned like 5 times (by cleaned I mean vacuumed every inch of the apartment: furniture, floors, beds, walls, etc.). The manager said they would send someone to clean after all the bugs were gone, but we have to live here in the mean time. My question is can we get out of our lease, get our money back, and be compensated for all we have been through.

Answer 1

call the housing court in your jurisdiction, check on the availability of a rent escrow , where you pay your rent to the court instead of the landlord while your dispute is being resolved through the courts. It sounds like you have habitability issues there, and if the landlord isn't responsive, the courts will have to settle the dispute.......and in the time it takes to do that you could possibly pay the rent each month to court so that if they decide in your favor, they can give you all your money back and the landlord will not have gotten any of the rent.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, probably not. You knew it was filthy when you moved there, which should have alerted you to the possibility of bugs. But you merely cleaned, and moved in anyway. That act, in the eyes of a court, would indicate you knew of the condition of the apartment, but accepted it. Any problems beyond that will be on you.

Now, if you had said "The place is filthy" and the manager had it cleaned and then you found bugs, maybe. But not the way you have described it.

I'd be on the bug guy for not getting the job done rather than the apartment manager.

Answer 3

it is almost impossible to get rid of bed bugs - you definitely have to dispose of all upholstered everything in that unit, in the common hallways, etc.
probably best to move and leave everything with cloth behind.
major expense; sue your landllord.
best thing would be to condemn the place. if landlord won't do anything, carry a sign in front of building; offer new/potential neighbours to see your place.
at the very least, you should be able to break the lease
you should also be compensated, but this may be impossible if the guy is operating below the wires, which it sounds like.
move asap

Answer 4

Hell yes! id file a complaint with your health department,and they'll get right on it you might even think about taking this to court.im sure there must be some way of getting out of your lease,contact your lawyer if you have one,if not you can call for free advice.not sure if you'll be compensated but im sure with you having kids you'd be able to get out of the lease,i wouldn't let this go if i were you you do have rights as a tenant.GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Answer 5

Make sure you document everything you do, speak to a lawyer and it sounds like the health dept. could get involved if you wanted. That might work to your advantage if your landlord refuses to break the lease or compensate you, best of luck.

Answer 6

It depends. Its very likely you can get out of the lease, but I would imagine getting compensation will be impossible.

I would be content to walk away from the lease.

Talk to a lawyer.

Answer 7

No, probably not. Call the health department for an inspection. That might help you going forward. As far as the past and compensation, no luck.

Answer 8

YES! The landlord is obligated under law to provide pest control. Take him to small claims court immediately!