Bedbugs are one of the worst household pests that may infest single-unit houses, apartments, and even hotels. They’re difficult to detect and eliminate, which is why it’s better to let professional bed bug exterminators handle the problem. But for tenants who rent apartment units in CA, finding out who should pay for the bed bug extermination costs is a tricky problem.
So are landlords responsible for treating bed bug infestations in CA? According to the implied warranty of habitability, landlords are required to ensure that their tenants live in units with habitable conditions. Having a bedbug infestation in the apartment they own is a breach of this agreement, which is why they should be responsible for contacting pest control services and paying for the extermination costs.
Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking insects found in mattresses, furniture, and tiny crevices around the house. This type of pest infestation is common – about 1 out of 5 Americans has already encountered bed bugs in houses, apartments, or hotel rooms at least once.
What makes bed bugs a huge problem for homeowners and landlords is that they’re quick to spread but difficult to detect. Most bedbug infestations seem like they happened overnight because they’re only noticeable when the problem is already severe.
If you suspect a bedbug infestation in your rented apartment in CA, the best you can do is report the infestation to the landlord and wait for them to treat the bedbug issue. The bedbug laws in California require landlords to provide habitable conditions for their tenants, but the renters should also play their part in keeping the unit clean.
The responsibility of preventing and exterminating bed bugs in the rental unit falls on the landlord or property owner’s shoulders. Here are some of the most important California bedbug laws that landlords should remember and tenants should be aware of:
If there are bedbugs in your CA apartment, make sure to follow these steps:
Landlords are usually given a specific amount of time to call bed bug exterminators and eliminate the bedbug infestation. But if they failed to take care of the bedbug problem, the renter has the following options:
However, it’s extremely important to consult with an attorney or local housing authority first before choosing any of these options. Acting rashly without understanding what the law states may lead to serious consequences like paying a huge fine.
Keeping the apartment free of bedbugs requires both the tenants and landlords to maintain the unit’s cleanliness. While landlords are responsible for paying the bed bug extermination costs, they also have the right to sue the renter if they prove that the latter caused the infestation.
Bed bug extermination costs are quite expensive because these pests are difficult to eliminate for good. Unfortunately, tenants can’t rely on renters’ insurance to pay for these fees. Most renters’ insurance policies only cover unexpected losses like fire or hurricane damage.
The best way to deal with bedbugs is to keep the property clean and prevent them from even reaching the unit in the first place. But if these pests still managed to infest the apartment, it’s better to call pest management professionals like California Bed Bug Exterminators to handle the problem instead of trying out DIY treatments.
California Bed Bug Exterminators is a trusted pest control company that utilizes effective IPM-based treatments to eliminate these pests without harming the tenants, the property, or the environment. Call us now to book an appointment and get rid of the bedbugs for good.
