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View Full Version : Apartment with 'bed bugs'


sachin_216
Oct 13, 2009, 10:19 AM
Hello,

I moved into this new apartment 3 weeks ago. On my very second day, I see a bed bug and I killed it immediately. 3 days later, I see another one actually after getting bitten by this one... I immediately took pictures of it (for witness) and killed it. I am concerned about them now, as they multiply very quickly and you never know where they hide/live.

I talk to my owner and he inturn talks to pest control company, and they send me a letter with instructions. That is very intensive (e.g. Wash/dry all the clothes and put them in an unused trash bag AND keep open all the drawers and take the stuff out of them AND move all the furniture 3 feet away from walls AND place bed & box spring against the wall in standing position AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DO THIS FOR 6 STRAIGHT WEEKS).

This is just not doable.

Realising how difficult it is, I offered to my owner - I would rather deal the bugs myself than go through this treatment. He refused and said I must go through this.

That's the point I decided to move out, and found another apartment. Now, he says if I move out before lease period ends (which is 1 yr) he will give only 1 month's security back and will return 2nd month's security back IF he finds another tenant by 11/1. If he doesn't find anyone by then, I will have to forget about 2nd month's security deposit.

My question to the forum: Do I have a right to break the lease if the apartment is not liveable and the fix is not doable?

Sachin

ballengerb1
Oct 13, 2009, 10:53 AM
The bed bugs may have come in with your furniture rather than the previously vacant apartment. The LL offered a fix, if you turn it down you will likely be on the hook for the rent. His offer is actually quite generous since in most locations you are going to pay until he finds a new tenant, not just a months deposit.

sachin_216
Oct 13, 2009, 11:09 AM
Good point, but I have a clean history. I was in Chicago, IL for 10 months - bug free. Then moved to Arizona, again bug free. Now in Connecticut, 2nd day I see bugs in my apartment, then I would have to say it is not in my furniture. BTW, I din't have any furniture and the baggage was 4 suitcases. Before moving into this new place, I was at my friend's place for a couple of weeks (which was later investigated as in if there's any bed bugs there but gave it a clean chit).

Another point, in the same building next door apartment has a very bad history as far as 'bed bugs' are concerned. And that is being treated too.