I own some rental properties. i have these tenants that brought in bed bugs in thier used box spring. they had a bunch of these critters in the apt. unit. i had the place exterminated and then i called my attorney and he said to write a notice saying that they cannot bring used furniture unless it is cleaned. i put the notice on thier door and then got a call from my tenants. i know that they brought the bed bugs as i have never had bed bugs in any of my four units. my tenants are threatening to take me to court, but THEY brought the bed bugs!
what should i do?
2007-06-22 09:11:26 · 8 answers · asked by Hey Love...♥ 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
That answer you got that said bed bugs are in every bed? What a moron! he's thinking of DUST MITES! I don't have bed bugs, do you? Unless you count my cats. They are so cute.
ANYWAY, I also am not sure what your tenants can bring you to court about, I think they are just embarrassed because you know they brought in the bugs. They obviously don't understand how that works. A used mattress or box springs? Ugh! I'd get it fumigated myself before I brought THAT in my house, rented or NOT! I think you are in the right to post that notice to protect your property and keep costs down. I mean, break it down to the bottom line here. If you're tenants were allowed to bring in infested furniture and ANIMALS, you'd spend a fortune in exterminating and then you'd have to really raise the rent. I'm sure THEY don't want that! They need to do their part and stop taking advantage. Why should you pay for their mistakes? Again, you have an investment here and need to protect it. I'm renting out my tiny little house in CA (800 square feet) and the last appraisal came in at $499 thousand. You KNOW I'm going to protect THAT investment! I'm lucky with my tenants, I guess, they are pretty clean, they have done wonders for the yard and garden, and I told them I had a pest control service come every six weeks and their service is guaranteed. They even pay a gardener to mow the lawn and help weed and trim the bushes. They have a cat and a dog that I won't charge for. I felt funny asking for a pet deposit when I had 3 cats and a bird in that house when they came to look at it! Plus, I met the dog. I love him! I think we both have it good!
2007-06-22 10:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by The Cat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where my rentals are located, unfortunately it doesn't matter whether the tenants brought in the bugs or not, it is my responsibility to provide a safe, clean habitable unit. Which according to the city codes, means no infestation of any kind of pests, inclusive of bugs. If I were you, I would check the city codes to see if there is a habitation clause that defines your responsibilites like ours does. If you mitigated the problem by extermination and have the receipt, you may have cause to contact the extermination company to re-treat if the bugs have returned, no matter how. My pest control company will re-treat for free within a certain period of time. I am wondering on what basis the tenants think they can take you to court, however. I suspect there might be a code compliance issue, but what damages could they recover?
2007-06-22 09:15:36 · answer #2 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a tenant who always has roaches and no I've never had this problem before this tenant.
No matter how often I exterminate (5x in 3 years) they never go away. I use to give verbal warnings. That went in one ear and out the other. Then I started with the written warnings it got better. Yes, it's the owners job to make property habitable but when 'nasty' tenants come in an cost you money with exterminating and city fines, you've accommodated them long enough.
Proof, proof, proof......then evict, just have an ironclad paper trail.
2007-06-22 09:33:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is cr*p all beds have bed bug they are important to eat the dead skin cells we shed. Go speak to a dr they will tell you.
2007-06-22 09:22:48 · answer #4 · answered by scorpiotoo2000 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Learn to love bed bugs. You could train them to do the dishes and clean up the garage.
2007-06-22 09:24:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
You trust the advice of people on a bulletin board, but you don't trust your lawyer?
Get a new attorney.
2007-06-22 09:34:37 · answer #6 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask your attorney.
2007-06-22 09:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by Scoots 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you must tent and spray. they will never pay so cut your losses
2007-06-22 14:00:18 · answer #8 · answered by Jack the Toad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋