Question by Tiffany:
Does the landlord/renter have to answer questions honesty before renting?
im looking for an apartment and have been wondering,
if i ask the landlord,or renter, specific questions, like wheather or not they have problems with roaches and bedbugs(which seems to be a big problem right now) do they have to tell me if they do? i dont want to get stuck in an apartment with bugs i cant get rid off!
Best answer:
Answer by Cutie Pie
i was under the impression that yes they have to disclose that info only if you ask (or if they want to tell you off hand) but only if you ask they have to answer truthfully or thats grounds to break the lease
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Even if they say no to the bugs and you move in and there are bugs the LL can just say you brought them in and still be covered from being dishonest.
there is a law called “full disclosure” which means they have to tell you the truth. doesn’t mean they will-depends on how ethical they are
Any disclosure laws are on a state or local level here in the US. So they would different where ever you go. I agree with the guy that says that the landlord can always claim that you brought the bugs in. I would ask other residents if this is an apartment.
Simple resolution would be to include a provision in the lease for your protection that states something like, any and all interior pest issues within the first three months of the signed lease, to be paid for in full by the landlord. Lessee has the right to contact and contract a professional licensed pest control company and lessor has the right to require two quotes. Payment to pest control company to be paid lessor. If lessor refuses to pay for service, lessee reserves the right to pay for services and deduct said amount from following month’s rent.