Question by fun_guy:
Found Bed Bugs in my Apt. Should landlord pay for pest control?
It has been over 6 months that I moved into this Apartment. Recently, I found Bed Bugs.
When reported, the apt management says I have to pay for pest control treatment since it came from my old mattress. They showed some black spots on the Mattress to prove that this is the proof that Bed Bugs existed in this Mattress before
It is true that I purchased a used Mattress (private Party) but that was over 6 months back when I moved into the apt. And there have not been any manifestation of bed bugs up until now.
The lease contract does not say anything about this and Mass law says that Apt Management need to pay for pest control.
Q1. Do I need to pay or am I being ripped
Q2. I will be moving out in another 4 months or so, is it wise to pay now and then sue after I move out (and recover my security).
Best answer:
Answer by connemara
I have a news flash for you. If you purchased a second-hand mattress that is probably where the bed bugs came from and the landlord of your apartment is NOT responsible for this. Bed bugs (their eggs) are too tiny to see and they take a while to hatch, thus they were probably there when you purchased the mattress from the other party. The apartment complex is NOT ripping you off as YOU undoubtedly brought in the bugs and they are NOT required to get rid of them! Sue them? For what? They are NOT at fault here. And guess what? Suing them will be VERY costly for you and very time consuming, If you could not afford a new mattress then believe me, you cannot afford an attorney to sue the apartment complex after you leave. I would get rid of the mattress pronto, pay to have some fumigation done, get another mattress (this itme a NEW one at a store) and call it a day. And, if you think this will be expensive, wait until you see what it costs you to sue them!
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You should consult an attorney.
Some major hotels in New York City have had bed bugs and I believe they were sued.
“Because they readily survive for many months without feeding, bed bugs may already be present in apparently ‘vacant’ and ‘clean’ apartments. “