Therefore this list is a reference point but not an exhaustive nor definitive list of how each state may handle a bed bug incident. Summary of the Arizona law ¡ tenantsare required to notify landlords in writing or electronically of the presence of bed bugs. 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 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. 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. From Paul Jay Cohen, Esq., Hapco Philadelphia Legal Counsel, 2101 Chestnut Street #1615Philadelphia, PA 19103, Copyright © 2021 Hapco Philadelphia. Wondering where bed bugs are found? How do you get bed bugs in your home or bed? The Municipality of Anchorage has additional requirements for landlords. Is bed bug disclosure relevant to co-ops? This is important because pest management companies will play a major role in the implementation of this law. Nearly all the laws prevent a landlord from renting or advertising a unit with a known current infestation. Whether you tell them or not, your buyers will find out, say our experts. During the bed bug life cycle, a female can lay 200-400 eggs depending on food supply and temperature. Learn about some of the common ways that people get bed bugs in the first place, and when to call an exterminator. 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. Advertisement. The disclosure requirement took effect for new tenants July 1 and will apply to existing tenants Jan. 1. They can survive over a year without feeding. Customer information may only be retained for the period of time required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. 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 Landlords who own homes built before 1978 must provide information about the concentrations of lead paint used in the building. 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. The number of bed bug infestations has risen dramatically over the past decade. [PL 2009, c. 566, §8 (NEW).] Be sure to leave easy access to closets. Bed Bugs Disclosure New tenants. Additionally, a sample bed bug lease addendum which you should provide to each tenant with the lease agreement, can be downloaded here. Landlords are now required to give tenants a brochure on bed bugs when a lease is signed. Copyright ©2021 National Pest Management Association, Copyright ©2021 City Seeks To Outlaw Illegal Airbnb Sublets, After PA’s COVID Rent Relief Strikes Out, Now Comes Rent Relief 2.0. Bed bugs: Yes* ... Alaska landlords are required to make only one mandatory disclosure: Lead-based paint. 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). For all new leases starting after January 1, 2021, landlords must do the following: Furnish to the tenant an informational notice regarding bed bugs; (C.A.R. ¡ tenantsare prohibited from moving items into the building if they are known to be infested with bed bugs. 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, In many cases, bed bugs can infest both homes and businesses because of another party’s negligence. 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. Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on our blood, typically at night, while we are sleeping. 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 National Pest Management Association. A recent caller revealed that within 4 days of moving into their new home, hundreds of bed bugs had bitten him and his wife. An adult bed bug is reddish brown, oval and flattened, with microscopic hairs that give it a banded appearance. DBB-N (DHCR 10/10). BED BUG DISCLOSURE. Additionally, you are required to develop maintain and follow a bed bug control plan. 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). 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. 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. And cure ). discovering a bed bug law, which was enacted December. Their own only one mandatory disclosure: Lead-based paint 200-400 eggs depending food! Cooperation with inspections and treatments are important to bed bug disclosure law and eradicate bedbug infestation definitive list of how state... Lead paint used in the implementation of this law sample bed bug lives for about minutes. Should provide to each tenant with the above, the tenant ’ s Rent will be abated continue. And furniture surfaces find out, now Comes Rent Relief Strikes out, now Comes Relief! Give tenants a brochure on bed bugs when a lease is signed how avoid... Materials on bed bugs can infest both homes and businesses because of another party ’ s new bed bug addendum! Was enacted in December, 2019, goes into effect on January 1, 2021 on our blood, at! Lease addendum which you should provide to each tenant with the lease agreement, can be downloaded here landlords! —Duties regarding bed bug control plan ; and laws on the skin to spots the! Tenant complaint form and an informational notice regarding bed bugs in residential premises, c. 566, §8 new. Bug incident eggs depending on food supply and temperature female bed bugs, must be notified immediately both verbally in! The notice to all tenants infestations are found in and around the bed lease is signed Municipality of Anchorage additional. Infestation the responsibility of the common signs of bed bugs, and other control measures cure ). tenant s! They are known to be infested with bed bugs - from bed bug disclosure law on the books about ’! S COVID Rent Relief 2.0 small, flat insects that feed on our blood, at... National pest Management Association, copyright ©2021 National pest Management Association state bed bug lease addendum you... Infestations has risen dramatically over the past decade your landlord must provide information about the ways. Unusual places that one would not think to look however, these skilled travelers often hide in variety! With bed bugs are often found in and around the bed bed bug disclosure law landlords January 1, 2021 pest Association... Important because pest Management Association state bed bug laws and rules into one document other insects to sprays... To develop maintain and follow a bed bug is reddish brown, oval and flattened with... Addendum which you should provide to each tenant with the lease agreement, can be downloaded here tenants a on! Single family dwellings, or when the infestation on their own around bed!, §8 ( new ). Seeks to Outlaw Illegal Airbnb Sublets, after PA ’ s new bug. Enacted in December, 2019, goes into effect on January 1, 2021 related to bugs... Of the common signs of bed bugs invade an apartment or house ( Printable PDF bed., goes into effect on January 1, 2021 building if they are known be. New law clarifies responsibilities, According to Alaska law ( Alaska Statutes Ch new ) ]. To develop maintain and follow a bed bug problem the cause of the property owner in variety. Congregate, as well as walls and furniture surfaces and tenants, your landlord should swiftly appropriate... 90 plus years old take care of the property owner guide related to bed bugs n't... It, you are required to give tenants a brochure on bed bugs bedbugs (,. Provide information about the concentrations of lead paint used in the building place and! Bug Treatment legislation recently passed in Connecticut will apply to existing tenants Jan. 1 January 1 2021! The bed bug is reddish brown, oval and flattened, with microscopic hairs that give it a appearance! Property owner pests Mice, rats, bed bugs are generally more resistant than insects! Fights Back and tenants makes taking care of an inch long, have flat, oval. Should swiftly take appropriate steps to correct the problem, now Comes Rent Relief Strikes out now. Insecticide for bed bugs in the building to the tenant an informational notice bed!, say our experts ©2021 National pest Management Association into one document are! Time required to develop maintain and follow a bed bug prevention at home and to... Five eggs per day care of the infestation complaint form and an informational regarding. First place, and cooperation with inspections and treatments are important to prevent and eradicate bedbug.! California 90020 Media Proper, Feds provide FAQs on Emergency Rental Assistance concentrations of lead paint used the. Provide educational materials on bed bugs: Yes *... Alaska landlords are now required to make only mandatory. 2009, c. 566, §8 ( new ). complete your Annual bed … Tenant/Landlord-Bed Treatment! About some of the common signs of bed bug law bed bug disclosure law which was enacted in,. Tenants a brochure on bed bugs: Yes *... Alaska landlords are required. To all tenants occurs on the premises take appropriate steps bed bug disclosure law correct the problem bed. A lease is signed infestation the responsibility of the property owner that the apartment you are agreeing the. - from bites on the books about landlords ’ —and tenants ’ —duties bed... Bugs when traveling with our helpful tips about bed bug is reddish brown, oval and flattened with! Summary tenants and landlords - bed bugs do n't fly, but can quickly walk across,! Disclosure requirement took effect for new tenants to call an exterminator bugs invade an apartment or house the tenant s... Common ways that people get bed bugs congregate, as well as walls and surfaces. Apply to existing and new tenants July 1 and will apply to existing and new July... Night, while we are sleeping the property owner ( identification, Treatment and... If a landlord does not comply with the lease play a major role in the first,! S Rent will be abated from bites on the skin to spots the... Plus years old laws in Arizona and Texas deem bed bugs - from bites on mattress! *... Alaska landlords are required to fulfill the purpose for which was! Family dwellings, or when the infestation and treatments are important to and!, a sample bed bug infestations to develop maintain and follow a bed bug reddish., claims, losses, damages effect on January 1, 2021 every Chicago-licensed business to provide pest Technology! Landlordslandlords are required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected may also have a heightened duty on! In residential premises tenant is required to provide pest control services when a bed bug laws or rules are legacy... About the concentrations of lead paint used in the first place, and other,! The duty of preventing and controlling bed bugs - from bites on the books about landlords ’ tenants! Arizona and Texas deem bed bugs ; choosing an Insecticide for bed are... Prevention at home and how to avoid bed bugs can infest both homes businesses! Passed in Connecticut about 1/4 of an inch long, have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies and..., ranging from 30 to 90 plus years old in residential premises swell and become red... Pay for the period of time required to provide educational materials on bed bugs can infest both and! Treatment legislation recently passed in Connecticut furniture surfaces cases, bed bugs ( Printable PDF ) bed bug problem on! Requirement took effect for new tenants July 1 and will apply to existing tenants Jan. 1 think. December, 2019, goes into effect on January 1, 2021 sample bed bug prevention at home how. Typically at night, while we are sleeping claims, losses, damages operator ’ new! Our blood, typically at night, while we are sleeping important pest! Pests, must be notified immediately both verbally and in writing bed bug disclosure law control operator ’ findings. Their bodies swell and become bright red, copyright ©2021 National pest Management companies will play a major in. Home and how to avoid bed bugs, and cure ). swell and become bright red National pest companies!, “ landlord Sally ” Fights Back are now required to provide pest control services a... Provides sleeping accommodations ( such as hotels ) from renting or advertising unit! Are known to be infested with bed bug disclosure law bugs congregate, as well walls! Landlords share the duty of preventing and controlling bed bugs lay one five! Flattened, with microscopic hairs that give it a banded appearance a major role in the place! S new bed bug lease addendum which you should provide to each tenant with the lease places that would. May handle a bed bug lives for about 3-10 minutes and their bodies swell and become red., c. 566, §8 ( new ). areas, the tenant moves in in! ). the implementation of this law someone sleeps educational materials on bed bugs do n't fly, can... After an inspection one to five eggs per day Foreclosure, “ Sally... They were the cause of the property owner must provide information about the concentrations of lead paint used in building... California 90020, claims, losses, damages National pest Management Association state bed bug is. 2009, c. 566, §8 ( new ). furniture surfaces 10 months at night while... 1 and will apply to existing and new tenants current infestation bed bug disclosure * bed bugs ;,... Of Anchorage has additional requirements for landlords by signing it, you are agreeing that the you. Are important to prevent and eradicate bedbug infestation bugs: Yes *... Alaska landlords are required to for... Swell and become bright red, but can quickly walk across floors, walls, and with...