Comments on: added to the “Tenants and Landlords FAQ”: Washington, D.C. and Florida http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bed bugs in Washington, D.C.? Yes! And growing in number daily. : Got bed bugs? Bedbugger.com http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-14590 Bed bugs in Washington, D.C.? Yes! And growing in number daily. : Got bed bugs? Bedbugger.com Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:23:10 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-14590 [...] those mentioned in the article, another reason bed bugs are thriving may be the District of Columbia’s housing code, which requires landlords to treat for bed bugs only if there is more than one infested [...] [...] those mentioned in the article, another reason bed bugs are thriving may be the District of Columbia’s housing code, which requires landlords to treat for bed bugs only if there is more than one infested [...]

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12942 nobugsonme Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:47:33 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12942 msvsthebugs, Sorry I wasn't clear. If you haven't yet, I would post in the forums asking about the DC housing laws or sources of tenants' advice. I am glad you wrote your councilman! This is excellent. msvsthebugs,

Sorry I wasn’t clear. If you haven’t yet, I would post in the forums asking about the DC housing laws or sources of tenants’ advice.

I am glad you wrote your councilman! This is excellent.

]]> By: msvsthebugs http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12937 msvsthebugs Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:05:49 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12937 I didn't find anything relevant to the legal issue on the forums, but I will look again more carefully later. Most DC-related postings are about treatment. I contacted my DC Councilman, as well as key staff on the Housing/Urban Affairs and Health Committees of the DC City Council. I asked what is being done in DC re: 1) public education about the spread of BBs and 2) changing the law to make landlords responsible for treatment rather than tenants, in the event the tenant is the first to report an infestation. I tried to explain clearly why the current law (as I understand it) will only encourage tenants not to report the problem, and thus spread BBs throughout the city more rapidly. Will let you know what I hear. I didn’t find anything relevant to the legal issue on the forums, but I will look again more carefully later. Most DC-related postings are about treatment.

I contacted my DC Councilman, as well as key staff on the Housing/Urban Affairs and Health Committees of the DC City Council. I asked what is being done in DC re: 1) public education about the spread of BBs and 2) changing the law to make landlords responsible for treatment rather than tenants, in the event the tenant is the first to report an infestation. I tried to explain clearly why the current law (as I understand it) will only encourage tenants not to report the problem, and thus spread BBs throughout the city more rapidly.

Will let you know what I hear.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12874 nobugsonme Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:23:25 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12874 Thanks, msvsthebugs. I am sorry you are going through this. Please visit the forums. There have been a number of forum users from the DC area. They may have additional suggestions, perhaps even know more about the laws you're trying to find out more about: http://bedbugger.com/forum/ And thanks in advance for letting me know, later, if you find out more. Thanks, msvsthebugs.

I am sorry you are going through this.

Please visit the forums. There have been a number of forum users from the DC area. They may have additional suggestions, perhaps even know more about the laws you’re trying to find out more about:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/

And thanks in advance for letting me know, later, if you find out more.

]]> By: msvsthebugs http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12869 msvsthebugs Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:31:25 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12869 Thank you No Bugs! I am researching this issue now and will let you know what I find. In general, I haven't seen that DC has done much about the bed bug problem - nowhere near as much as NYC. I am trying to report them to the DC housing authority, and I'll let you know how that goes. As an aside and a warning to others - after getting no bites for more than a month, my PCO told me I could hang my clothes back up in my closet. These clothes had been laundered and stored appropriately during treatment. Needless to say, the bugs came back and I now think I have spread them to my boyfriend (despite taking the precaution of keeping clothes in plastic bags when I slept there, for peace of mind). These things are unbelievable, and folks should NOT assume they don't have them because they have gone away for a period of time. In the entire four months I have been dealing with this problem, I haven't seen ONE SINGLE BUG in my apartment, yet somehow they remain. Anyway... God bless you and all that you've done. Thank you No Bugs! I am researching this issue now and will let you know what I find. In general, I haven’t seen that DC has done much about the bed bug problem – nowhere near as much as NYC. I am trying to report them to the DC housing authority, and I’ll let you know how that goes.

As an aside and a warning to others – after getting no bites for more than a month, my PCO told me I could hang my clothes back up in my closet. These clothes had been laundered and stored appropriately during treatment. Needless to say, the bugs came back and I now think I have spread them to my boyfriend (despite taking the precaution of keeping clothes in plastic bags when I slept there, for peace of mind). These things are unbelievable, and folks should NOT assume they don’t have them because they have gone away for a period of time. In the entire four months I have been dealing with this problem, I haven’t seen ONE SINGLE BUG in my apartment, yet somehow they remain. Anyway…

God bless you and all that you’ve done.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12868 nobugsonme Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:46:45 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12868 msvsthebugs, It might be worth contacting a tenants' organization in DC. I cited the information above as the only mention we could find, but it is true that I have seen incorrect information in other newspapers about other local laws. I would definitely follow up if I were you. Keep in mind the law may mention pests or vermin, but not bed bugs specifically. There may be room for interpretation. msvsthebugs,

It might be worth contacting a tenants’ organization in DC. I cited the information above as the only mention we could find, but it is true that I have seen incorrect information in other newspapers about other local laws. I would definitely follow up if I were you. Keep in mind the law may mention pests or vermin, but not bed bugs specifically. There may be room for interpretation.

]]> By: msvsthebugs http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-12866 msvsthebugs Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:24:23 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-12866 Hello all - I am a renter in Washington DC. I got bed bugs (no idea how) about four months ago, and made a deal with my landlord to split the (very expensive) treatment. Before I began treatment, I asked the other tenants in the building if they had experienced beg bug issues, and it did appear at that time that I was the only one in the building with the problem. I will be moving out of the unit in two weeks. As far as I can tell, the bugs are contained, but I am wary to make any claims about being BB-free. After my second treatment, they went away for an entire month and then, much to my dismay, came back. My third treatment has resulted in a few more weeks of no bites, but who really knows with this problem? I am facing serious credit card debt resulting from this situation and am terrified my landlord will withold my security deposit if the new tenant gets bitten within the first month. Does anyone know what my rights are with regards to this? The "move out" letter I got from the rental company stated that my deposit would be witheld if there was an "infestation of fleas, roaches and silverfish"...but no mention of BBs. I can't find ANYTHING on the DC housing laws re: bed bugs, except what is posted above. It is not financially viable for me to pay for extermination in this unit twice. I am young and just starting out professionally. The DC law seems very unfair for tenants. I am terrified that a) my security deposit will be witheld, and/or b) I will take them with me (I am putting all furniture in storage and moving to a furnished apartment to minimize that risk). Thanks all for the support - I don't know what I would do without this site! Hello all -

I am a renter in Washington DC. I got bed bugs (no idea how) about four months ago, and made a deal with my landlord to split the (very expensive) treatment. Before I began treatment, I asked the other tenants in the building if they had experienced beg bug issues, and it did appear at that time that I was the only one in the building with the problem.

I will be moving out of the unit in two weeks. As far as I can tell, the bugs are contained, but I am wary to make any claims about being BB-free. After my second treatment, they went away for an entire month and then, much to my dismay, came back. My third treatment has resulted in a few more weeks of no bites, but who really knows with this problem?

I am facing serious credit card debt resulting from this situation and am terrified my landlord will withold my security deposit if the new tenant gets bitten within the first month. Does anyone know what my rights are with regards to this? The “move out” letter I got from the rental company stated that my deposit would be witheld if there was an “infestation of fleas, roaches and silverfish”…but no mention of BBs.

I can’t find ANYTHING on the DC housing laws re: bed bugs, except what is posted above. It is not financially viable for me to pay for extermination in this unit twice. I am young and just starting out professionally. The DC law seems very unfair for tenants. I am terrified that a) my security deposit will be witheld, and/or b) I will take them with me (I am putting all furniture in storage and moving to a furnished apartment to minimize that risk).

Thanks all for the support – I don’t know what I would do without this site!

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-1638 nobugsonme Thu, 08 Mar 2007 03:39:12 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-1638 Updated the FAQ (not above, but the full one). Thanks Doug! Updated the FAQ (not above, but the full one).
Thanks Doug!

]]> By: Doug Summers MS http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/comment-page-1/#comment-1639 Doug Summers MS Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:42:52 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/04/added-to-the-tenants-and-landlords-faq-washington-dc-and-florida/#comment-1639 In Florida, the landlord tenant law is FS Chapter 83. Under F.S. 83 pest control is listed under the Obligations of the Landlord. A Seven Day Notice To Correct is a letter that specifies in detail the problem that needs to be corrected (exterminate the bed bug infestation in this case). F.S. 83 states that the tenant may break the lease without penalty if the landlord fails to address the notice. Constructive eviction is a also a possible defense to break the lease, but the 7 Day Notice to Correct letter is the usual starting point. A personal injury civil lawsuit is another potential option. Also check to see if your deposit was placed in an escrowed bank account by the landlord. If the landlord places the deposit funds in their business or personal bank account (or intermingle the funds in a non-escrowed account) they have violated the law and are not permitted to retain any of the deposit regardless of any damage or contract issue that may exist. Most private landlords in Florida fail to place the deposit funds in an escrow account. You can download a copy of the law at myflorida.com Florida law usually favors the rental tenant in a bed bug infestation situation, but needless to say you should consult an attorney about the specifics of your situation if you expect civil litigation with your landlord. In Florida, the landlord tenant law is FS Chapter 83. Under F.S. 83 pest control is listed under the Obligations of the Landlord.

A Seven Day Notice To Correct is a letter that specifies in detail the problem that needs to be corrected (exterminate the bed bug infestation in this case). F.S. 83 states that the tenant may break the lease without penalty if the landlord fails to address the notice. Constructive eviction is a also a possible defense to break the lease, but the 7 Day Notice to Correct letter is the usual starting point.

A personal injury civil lawsuit is another potential option.

Also check to see if your deposit was placed in an escrowed bank account by the landlord. If the landlord places the deposit funds in their business or personal bank account (or intermingle the funds in a non-escrowed account) they have violated the law and are not permitted to retain any of the deposit regardless of any damage or contract issue that may exist.

Most private landlords in Florida fail to place the deposit funds in an escrow account.

You can download a copy of the law at myflorida.com

Florida law usually favors the rental tenant in a bed bug infestation situation, but needless to say you should consult an attorney about the specifics of your situation if you expect civil litigation with your landlord.

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