Moved in a house and being bitten by bed bugs, can i terminate the contract and move out?

Question

Moved into a house and found it is actually a 'bed bug' house. We reported this problem to the landlord and had three times pest control in this 3 weeks. During this time, we stayed overnight in friend's room and only slept in house twice. One is the first night when we didn't know we got bugs in room, and the second time was when new mattress arrived and also 7 days after pest control. However, that night i only slept one hour and was woken up by bed bug bite.
Under this condition, all our flatmates have no intention to live here anymore. The pest control guy told us 'try to live normally' and if still got bug bites, call him. That means we have to be landlord's guinea pig and helping him found out where the bugs hide by sleeping in his unfit-to-live house. My flatmate was seriously bitten and had to took 7 days antibiltics pills. Though number of bugs are decreasing, but we still want to move. Can anyone from uk provide us legal advise coz the landlord doesn't agree us to move. tks.

Answer 1

I think you will be on really shaky ground to terminate the contract outside agreed termination periods. The problem is that the landlord will argue that he is doing all possible to control the situation, and that the presence of pests in a house, while regrettable, is not particularly unusual. You can, by all means try to terminate the contract (I suggest contacting Citizen's Advice Bureau) but I suspect that you will have problems if you refuse to pay rent/ whatever until it can be demonstrated that efforts with pest control have categorically failed. You may, in fact, end up being sued by the landlord.

Answer 2

I went through the exact same thing 3 years ago but the problem was fleas. Had pest control people fumigate twice. Both landlord and property agent were very unhelpful and even denied that it could be so even though there had been a dog in the house prior to my tenancy. I went to a lawyer but this turned out to be an expensive route as there was not much they could do. But eventually ended up getting some of my pre-paid rent back. A very stressful experience all round and it took a long time to get any money back.

Answer 3

wow. what a bummer of a deal. I would say its breach of contract because you're health is at risk.
Firstly. Has your landlord paid for your inconvenience of "sleeping elsewhere" cause the house under contract was "unfit" for your habitation therein? if no, he's on the wrong side of the law already.
Secondly, your contract should state (i'm a landlady myself so i know) or it should have a part therein which states that the landlord's responsibility is to ensure that no risks to your health occurs while you stay at the property. the wording might be different. but a standard contract should look like this (see below). I'd say based on the grounds that the place wasnt FIT FOR HABITATION as per the contract, that S/HE the owner is in breach of contract by virtue of your only having used the place twice in the last 3 weeks since you moved in. speak to the citizens advice bureau and get legal assistance ASAP so that you can get your deposit back. Give a letter to your landlord (and keep a copy or keep proof of posting it to your landlord, just ask at the post office for a posting receipt) or send her/him a recorded mail letter to say that you intend to seek legal help because you are aware that s/he is in breach of contract and that you intend to sue unless he wants to settle the matter amicably out of court. (this usually gets a response) if not, then the thick-skinned bugger is asking for it. Give it all you've got.

Answer 4

I don't know for sure but I think if there is a problem, the landlord has to make a reasonable effort to correct the problem. In a case such as yours where there is a serious infestation, you may be entitled to move out. But it may be difficult to get the deposit back.
If he takes you to court, be sure you have evidence of the infestation. Take photos of the bite marks and the bugs if you can.

Answer 5

Bed Bugs are so hard to get rid off, if the mattress was new it is possible that they were in the mattress already, they are in the mattress not in the house if you move you will basically take them with you. Look at the sims of the mattress for black spots if you see them they are their, the eggs are hard to kill, get a mattres cover with a zipper onit and acum the mattress constantly so they don't come back. But it's the mattress not the house. Believe me i lived in my apt for 15 years and now i have them because from a new mattress. It's not the house. Check with your neighbors if they have them.

Answer 6

when you consider that mattress insects can bypass as a lot as a three hundred and sixty 5 days with out feeding, vacating on my own isn't the answer. the mandatory treatment is not uncomplicated, extreme priced and time ingesting. All furniture elect be treated, all flooring, baseboards, drilling into the walls, and so on.. in the journey that they are blaming you, you'll maximum probable ought to pay for the service.

Answer 7

I would go to a citizen's advice bureau, never got much joy out of landlords.Meanwhile take clear pics of bites and ask the doctor to write details of the symptoms and treatments, need proof in case this go to court.

Answer 8

contact your local environmental health officer from the borough in which you live and state you need action taken under ckause 235c under the landlords act 1974 this shall make them crck the whip against your landlord.

Answer 9

Get out and contact an attorney if your EX landlord gives you any lip!!

Answer 10

get a new bed i wouldent sleep on enybodys bed they mint have snuffed it on that bed a new one