What are the Laws Surrounding Bed Bug Infestations — TENANTS OF CALIFORNIA (2024)

FAQs

What are the Laws Surrounding Bed Bug Infestations — TENANTS OF CALIFORNIA? ›

According to California Civil Code 1954.603, landlords must inform tenants of the procedure to report a bed bug infestation. According to another civil code, California Civil Code §1942.5, landlords may not seek unlawful retaliation, such as an eviction, against a tenant who has raised concerns about bed bugs.

Starting July 1, 2017, California law requires landlords to give prospective tenants information on bed bug identification and control, including the ways in which tenants can alert landlords to a bedbug problem. The same information must be given to all tenants as of January 1, 2018. (Calif. Civil Code Sec.

If this then that: If a tenant brings in infested furniture, then they may have to contribute to treatment costs. Key takeaway: Landlords generally must pay for bed bug treatment, but tenants may bear costs if at fault for an infestation.

All statements regarding California rental property bed bug mandatory disclosures are correct. Landlords must provide notice about bed bugs, must not retaliate against reporting tenants, and cannot lease infested units.

In the state of California, landlords and hotels are typically held liable for bedbug injuries or infestations under the following circ*mstances: Owner or operator of the property knew there was a bedbug infestation, and. They failed to take reasonable action to eradicate or prevent the infestation.

California state law requires that Landlords provide all Tenants with specific information about bed bugs, preventing bed bugs, and reporting suspected infestations. Additionally, if a rental unit has been inspected by a pest control professional, the Landlord must give Tenants a copy of all inspection reports.

Unfortunately, there is no one answer that is the right fit for every situation. In most, but not all situations a victim of a bed bug infestation is better off leaving their home or apartment until the problem is resolved.

According to California housing laws, landlords are responsible for pest control in California – again, with a financial caveat – since they bear the responsibility of maintaining habitable conditions on the property. This policy applies to the following rental properties and more: Apartments. Single-family Homes.

If you live in a townhouse, condo, or apartment where you share a wall with your neighbor, bed bugs can easily travel through vents, across pipes, and between electrical outlets and walls. If you live in a detached home, it's less common for your neighbors to spread bed bugs to your home but not impossible.

Under California law, residential tenants are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions. It is important to act quickly if your landlord serves you with an eviction notice, tells you to move out, increases your rent illegally, or if you know cannot afford your rent.

Does my landlord have to provide alternative accommodation in California? ›

In California, landlords may be required to provide temporary housing, such as hotel rooms, when a rental property becomes uninhabitable due to factors beyond the tenant's control. Examples of such situations include severe damage from natural disasters, major plumbing issues, or substantial mold infestation.

Your landlord must keep your home “habitable”—meaning, safe and fit to live in. (See, for example, Civil Code, § 1941.1.) This is true regardless of the home's condition when you moved in.

When dealing with bed bug infestations, it is generally the landlord's responsibility to pay for an exterminator. Under California Civil Code section 1941, landlords are required to provide habitable living conditions for their tenants.

Filing bed bug lawsuits and winning a case will require some planning, which a bed bug injury attorney can help you accomplish. As noted on our page about resolved cases, bed bug lawsuit settlements can range anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000 or more given the situation.

Collecting evidence is crucial in a bed bugs lawsuit. This includes photographs of the infestation and bites, medical records if you sought treatment, communication with the landlord or hotel, and expert testimony if possible. A detailed description of your experience and related expenses is also vital.

Many larger companies will have formal HR policies prescribing what to do when an employee reports a home infestation of bed bugs. These policies frequently involve sending the employee home until the situation is resolved.

Do You Need to Throw Away Your Bedding or Furniture? You shouldn't have to throw away any of your possessions during a bed bug infestation. Everything can be salvaged with proper treatment in place. Instead of tossing your clothes and bedding, you should try washing them in a hot water wash.

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. Nearly all the laws prevent a landlord from renting or advertising a unit with a known current infestation.

If bed bug signs are discovered in one area of an office, classroom, or dorm room; the entire area may be quarantined to facilitate treatment and to prevent spread of the pests. Quarantine will typically last from 7-21 days and may be extended if initial control treatments fail.