NPMA has compiled state specific bed bug laws and rules into one document. Laws in Arizona and Texas deem bed bugs a public health nuisance. If a tenant reports a bed bug infestation in a residential rental property or a public housing unit, then actions must be taken for treatment. Learn about the common signs of bed bugs - from bites on the skin to spots on the mattress to sticky eggs. Landlords are now required to give tenants a brochure on bed bugs when a lease is signed. The law also: Requires every Chicago-licensed business to provide pest control services when a bed bug problem occurs on the premises. A new state law designed to battle bed bugs requires California landlords to provide tenants with written information about these pests and how to report suspected infestations to the landlord, the Chronicle reports. Similar to the Philadelphia lead paint law, this means that not only will the tenant not have to pay ongoing rent, rent already paid by the tenant during the period of noncompliance must be refunded to them. WATCH: As Philly Landlords Stare Down Foreclosure, “Landlord Sally” Fights Back! Each state has its own disclosure requirements and federal law requires some disclosures but to date they do not include bed bugs (yet-but they will). The act requires a tenant to promptly notify the tenant's landlord via written or electronic notice when the tenant knows or reasonably suspects that the tenant's dwelling unit contains bed bugs. Legislation on bed bugs is pending by state, with California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina considering additional legislation. The new law clarifies responsibilities, In a nutshell, twenty three states have passed or enacted bed bug specific legislation or rule making, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Bed Bugs Disclosure New tenants. You are not required to sign it, but if you did, follow the directions above and take these additional steps: Inspect the property before or within 48 hours of moving in. CODE § 420-3-11-.12, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of Hotels - Insect and Rodent Control Hotels shall be kept in such condition as to prevent the harborage or feeding of insects or rodents, Tips on Finding a Pest Control Professional, Travelers Be Warned: Bed Bugs Hungrier Than Ever, Pest Control Professionals See Summer Spike in Bed Bug Calls. For all new leases starting after January 1, 2021, landlords must do the following: Furnish to the tenant an informational notice regarding bed bugs; WARNING:  If a landlord does not comply with the above, the tenant’s rent will be abated. Prohibits any establishment that provides sleeping accommodations (such as hotels) from renting rooms with a bed bug problem. The number of bed bug infestations has risen dramatically over the past decade. Web Design by Media Proper, Feds provide FAQs on Emergency Rental Assistance. Discover common bed bug habitats and infestation regions. The firm specializes in termite damage and bed bug litigation and has successfully sued landlords for failing to disclose bed bug infestations under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act. Therefore this list is a reference point but not an exhaustive nor definitive list of how each state may handle a bed bug incident. A. After failing to properly address or even attempt to address the issue with your landlord, legal action may be … Arizona, Illinois, Maine, and New York bed bug laws (particularly vital to NYC) were passed or enacted since bed bug populations rebounded 10 plus years ago. Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 of an inch long, have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies, and look like an apple seed. Bill Summary Tenants and landlords - bed bugs in residential premises. When infestations are found in common areas, the landlord must provide the notice to all tenants. Finally, (as if this wasn’t enough), no matter who causes the presence of bed bugs, the landlord is responsible for the cost of investigating and remediating the infestation for the first year of the lease. In many cases, bed bugs can infest both homes and businesses because of another party’s negligence. However, these skilled travelers often hide in a variety of unusual places that one would not think to look. From Paul Jay Cohen, Esq., Hapco Philadelphia Legal Counsel, 2101 Chestnut Street #1615Philadelphia, PA 19103, Copyright © 2021 Hapco Philadelphia. Inn keepers may also have a heightened duty depending on state law. Philadelphia’s New Bed Bug Law Takes Effect Jan 1 Philadelphia’s new bed bug law, which was enacted in December, 2019, goes into effect on January 1, 2021. The landlord must continue to control infestations except in single family dwellings, or when the infestation was caused by the tenant. This will include a notice to the resident regarding bedbugs (identification, treatment, and cure). (C.A.R. National Pest Management Association State Bed Bug Laws September 2019 State Citation & Title Summary Link Alabama ALA. ADMIN. Bed Bug Disclosure *Bed Bugs are generally more resistant than other insects to insecticidal sprays and other control measures. Additionally, a sample bed bug lease addendum which you should provide to each tenant with the lease agreement, can be downloaded here. After that, the tenant shall “share [does that mean equally split?] (Pest Control Technology Magazine) Landlords and Tenants. As of July 1, 2017, landlords must provide pest control reports to new tenants whose units have been inspected for pests or bed bugs. Bed bugs grow to full adulthood in about 21 days. Paterson Signs "Bedbug Disclosure Act" Into Law By Jaya Saxena Aug. 30, 2010 4:22 p.m. Rest well, residents of the #1 and/or #7 city for bed bugs, because Governor Paterson just signed a law … Summary of the Arizona law ¡ tenantsare required to notify landlords in writing or electronically of the presence of bed bugs. Your landlord should swiftly take appropriate steps to correct the problem. In 2013, Chicago passed a law to help with the growing bed bug problem. National Pest Management Association. How do bed bugs invade an apartment or house? Pursuant to the NYC Housing Maintenance Code, an owner/managing agent of residential rental property shall furnish to each tenant signing a vacancy lease a notice that sets forth the property’s bedbug infestation history. New York law allows the landlord up to 30 days to correct the problem, as these critters create a health hazard and the state considers this a class B violation. Tenant/Landlord-Bed Bug Treatment legislation recently passed in Connecticut. bed bugs congregate, as well as walls and furniture surfaces. Bed bugs: Yes* ... Alaska landlords are required to make only one mandatory disclosure: Lead-based paint. They feed for about 3-10 minutes and their bodies swell and become bright red. DBB-N (DHCR 10/10). During the bed bug life cycle, a female can lay 200-400 eggs depending on food supply and temperature. Complete your Annual Bed … Click here to review the information. A recent caller revealed that within 4 days of moving into their new home, hundreds of bed bugs had bitten him and his wife. Bed bugs can be difficult to find. 525 South Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90020. Some states and cities have bed bug-specific laws requiring landlords to disclose a property’s history of bed bugs if a prospective tenant asks; others require disclosure even if no one asks. Copyright ©2021 National Pest Management Association, Copyright ©2021 Female bed bugs lay one to five eggs per day. They can survive over a year without feeding. Bed bugs don't fly, but can quickly walk across floors, walls, and other surfaces. ¡ landlordsLandlords are required to provide educational materials on bed bugs to existing and new tenants. Bed Bug Pesticides. Philadelphia’s new bed bug law, which was enacted in December, 2019, goes into effect on January 1, 2021. NYC bed bug law also makes taking care of an infestation the responsibility of the property owner. Life Cycle and Reproduction: An average bed bug lives for about 10 months. Bed bug laws require landlords to notify tenants within two business days of receiving the pest control operator’s findings after an inspection. In a nutshell, twenty three states have passed or enacted bed bug specific legislation or rule making, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Liability imposed on landlords and tenants concerning bed bugs continue to vary from state to state regardless of whether “bed bug” laws have been implemented, this is due to the implied warranty of habitability. Therefore, early detection, reporting, and cooperation with inspections and treatments are important to prevent and eradicate bedbug infestation. Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding. This page contains a tenant complaint form and an informational guide related to bed bugs. The laws and rules focus on bed bug infestations in a variety of specific settings such as multifamily housing (Arizona, Florida, Maine, New York) vacation homes (South Dakota), trains (Illinois), hotels (Kansas, Nevada, Minnesota, Ohio, West Virginia), schools (New York) and migrant labor camps (Iowa). After discovering a bed bug infestation, your landlord must be notified immediately both verbally and in writing. The law makes tenants and landlords share the duty of preventing and controlling bed bugs. Many of the bed bug laws or rules are "legacy" statutes or regulations, ranging from 30 to 90 plus years old. Still, a tenant is responsible to act to prevent the further contamination of the community property by doing what he can to isolate the infestation. [PL 2009, c. 566, §8 (NEW).] Whether you tell them or not, your buyers will find out, say our experts. As of July 1, 2017 all new rental contracts will need to be up to date with the new bed bug code of 1954.600-1954.605. Furnish to the tenant a written disclosure of the history of bed bug infestation and remediation history for the dwelling unit for the previous 120 days. If a landlord doesn’t respond to a tenant’s notice of bed bugs or have the infestation eliminated, tenants can file a complaint with the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). California Bed Bug Law in effect as of July 1, 2017. Bed bug Bites: Because bed bugs usually feed at night, most people are bitten in their sleep and do not realize they were bitten. Some states have specific laws on the books about landlords’—and tenants’—duties regarding bed bug infestations. Form BBD, Revised 12/18) (California Civil Code §1954.603) BED BUG DISCLOSURE (BBD PAGE 1 OF 1) BBD REVISED 12/18 (PAGE 1 OF 1) Published and Distributed by: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. a subsidiary of the California Association of REALTORS®. Pests Mice, rats, bed bugs, and other pests, must be controlled by the landlord before the tenant moves in. BED BUG DISCLOSURE. The Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force recommends bagging and cleaning all suspected infested items, vacuuming the carpet and floor, and wrapping all infected mattresses. Furnish to the tenant an informational notice regarding bed bugs; Develop, maintain and follow a bed bug control plan; and. in the responsibility for the reasonable costs thereof.”  For the Philadelphia Housing Authority or properties for which rent is paid through a government housing subsidy or voucher program, the landlord shall always be responsible. Customer information may only be retained for the period of time required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on our blood, typically at night, while we are sleeping. This is defined as a document that describes  prevention and control methods used to prevent bed bug infestation and that is consistent with any designated bed bug best management practices. This is important because pest management companies will play a major role in the implementation of this law. Bed bugs are often found in and around the bed. For example, state laws might require tenants to take steps such as: report a possible infestation within a certain time—usually 24-48 hours—after discovering it ¡ tenantsare prohibited from moving items into the building if they are known to be infested with bed bugs. 4. The tenant is required to pay for the pest control if they were the cause of the infestation. This compilation of bed bug laws in the 50 states only includes those states that specifically include “bed bug” in their statutory or regulatory scheme. All Rights Reserved. Learn about bed bug prevention at home and how to avoid bed bugs when traveling with our helpful tips. Learn about some of the common ways that people get bed bugs in the first place, and when to call an exterminator. Nearly all the laws prevent a landlord from renting or advertising a unit with a known current infestation. Resident agrees to indemnify and hold the Owner/Agent harmless from any actions, claims, losses, damages . Bed Bug Tenant Disclosure Law DBB-N Owner’s Notice to Tenant Disclosure of Bed Bug Infestation History Form DBB-N Tenant’s Complaint of Owner’s Failure to Disclose Bed Bug Infestation History/Notice and Order: Tenants have to call 1-866-275-3427 or call/visit one of NPMA has compiled state specific bed bug laws and rules into one document. A bed bug addendum is an addition to the lease. Choosing an Insecticide for Bed Bugs; Choosing an Insecticide For Bed Bugs (Printable PDF) Bed Bug Bombs - busted! The landlord should not attempt to take care of the infestation on their own. Advertisement. How do you get bed bugs in your home or bed? For any lease a tenant already signed that begins after January 1, landlords should immediately give them a copy of this bed bug lease addendum along with the informational notice. By signing it, you are agreeing that the apartment you are renting is free of bed bugs. Bed bug best management practices is further defined as practices for the investigation and remediation of bed bugs that follow current National Pest Management Association best management practices or another current standard as adopted by regulation of the Department of Licenses and Inspections or such other agency as may be designated by the Managing Director. Local Law 69 of 2017 requires that all multiple dwelling property owners must attempt to obtain the bed bug infestation history from the tenant or unit owner, including whether eradication measures were employed for a bedbug infestation. Is bed bug disclosure relevant to co-ops? An adult bed bug is reddish brown, oval and flattened, with microscopic hairs that give it a banded appearance. Landlords who own homes built before 1978 must provide information about the concentrations of lead paint used in the building. Wondering where bed bugs are found? Bed bug cases continue to spread all over the U.S., including Alaska, resulting in a huge inconvenience for many hotel guests, residents, and customers in Anchorage. According to Alaska law (Alaska Statutes Ch. Bed Bug Annual Report Requirement. Additionally, you are required to develop maintain and follow a bed bug control plan. City Seeks To Outlaw Illegal Airbnb Sublets, After PA’s COVID Rent Relief Strikes Out, Now Comes Rent Relief 2.0. The Municipality of Anchorage has additional requirements for landlords. Serving Philadelphia's Investment & Rental Community. Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) are reminding travelers to stay alert for hitchhiking pests during Bed Bug Awareness Week, this June 7-13. and expenses including but not limited to attorneys’ fees that Owner/Agent may incur as … The disclosure requirement took effect for new tenants July 1 and will apply to existing tenants Jan. 1. If a pest infestation occurred in the common area of a building, landlord must provide pest control reports to … In a nutshell, twenty three states have passed or enacted bed bug specific legislation or rule making, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention. Upon request from a tenant or prospective tenant, a landlord shall disclose the last date that the dwelling unit the landlord seeks to rent or an adjacent unit or units were inspected for a bedbug infestation and found to be free of a bedbug infestation. Customer information may only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it was collected unless the customer has otherwise consented, or when it is required or permitted by law. 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