What NYC Tenants Should Know About Bedbugs – McAdams Law

Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.

There are few things more disgusting or distressing than a bedbug infestation. Thats why New York specifically has laws to protect tenants rights to a bedbug-free environment.

Heres what you need to know.

If you have bedbugs, your landlord has 30 days to correct this problem. Its considered a Class B violation, and they must both get rid of the infestation and keep your unit (and other affected units) from getting infected again.

Its even possible to file a bedbug complaint online.

First, of course, you should contact your landlord. Ask them to seal any cracks or crevices leading into your home, and ask them to hire a professional pest control service. Elderly and disabled residents even have the right to ask their landlord to help them move furniture or clean clutter to address bedbug problems.

Meanwhile, you need to take your own mitigation measureswash and dry both your clothing and your bedclothes on high heat for 30 minutes, or store them in a tightly-sealed plastic bag until you can wash them. Be aware that landlords arent required to reimburse you for dry cleaning or for having to replace a mattress or other piece of furniture.

If your landlord refuses to seal the cracks in your unit, you can move on to a complaint.

Sometimes landlords blame you, the tenant. And while you might have indeed accidentally brought in an infested suitcase by mistake, theyre still responsible for hiring a pest control service. You have a legal responsibility to report the bedbugs, not to try to sleuth out the source of the infestation.

If your landlord is unresponsive or wont help because theyre dead set on blaming you, it may be time to work with a real estate lawyer. You can take your property owner to housing court to force them to stop neglecting the problem and to protect your rights if their posturing is a prelude to an eviction attempt.

You yourself might be able to make a case for constructive eviction, leaving your apartment and terminating your lease, if your landlord refuses to fix such a serious issue. Either way, its unwise to start taking drastic legal steps unless youre working closely with a real estate lawyer.

Are you struggling with bed bugs at your New York apartment?

Contact our office to get help today!

See also:

What Are the Classes of Housing Violations in NYC?

What to Do If Your New York Landlord Wont Make Repairs

Tenant Eviction Defenses in New York City

Go here to read the rest:
What NYC Tenants Should Know About Bedbugs - McAdams Law

Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.