Comments on: New York City: Who’s responsible for paying for bed bug treatment? Complicated, in some cases. http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:19:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-10063 nobugsonme Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:53:52 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-10063 buggedastoria, Have you verified for sure that you have bed bugs? I know this can be hard to do, esp. in early stages. The problem with calling 311 is that I understand from those who have called 311, if you do not have visible bed bugs roaming the apt., they will not issue a violation or require the landlord to treat. We have a FAQ in the main <a href="http://bedbugger.com/faqs/" rel="nofollow">FAQs</a> page on how to catch a sample bed bug. It may take time (esp. if you have a small infestation) but at least you'll know what you're dealing with. If you're not sure you were exposed to bed bugs, I would rule out fleas (with a flea trap, see "shop" page) and see a doctor to rule out scabies and folliculitis. buggedastoria,

Have you verified for sure that you have bed bugs? I know this can be hard to do, esp. in early stages.

The problem with calling 311 is that I understand from those who have called 311, if you do not have visible bed bugs roaming the apt., they will not issue a violation or require the landlord to treat.

We have a FAQ in the main FAQs page on how to catch a sample bed bug. It may take time (esp. if you have a small infestation) but at least you’ll know what you’re dealing with.

If you’re not sure you were exposed to bed bugs, I would rule out fleas (with a flea trap, see “shop” page) and see a doctor to rule out scabies and folliculitis.

]]> By: buggedastoria http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-10061 buggedastoria Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:48:53 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-10061 I'm also in a similar situation in that my LL doesnt want to get a PCO b/c she says it's just me and that we have no evidence, found no bugs yet. she asked me to buy this stuff on the internet which is supposedly guranteed but i'm skeptical. should i just file a complaint by now? I’m also in a similar situation in that my LL doesnt want to get a PCO b/c she says it’s just me and that we have no evidence, found no bugs yet. she asked me to buy this stuff on the internet which is supposedly guranteed but i’m skeptical. should i just file a complaint by now?

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-10043 nobugsonme Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:18:53 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-10043 As I said above, LosingSleep, you may be able to take some kind of legal action in order to recoup expenses for dealing with clothing, etc. But you'd have to get legal advice about that (I'm not a lawyer). I love, however, that your landlord-relative is pretending they're doing you a special favor in treating for bed bugs because "you're family." That's classy. As I said above, LosingSleep, you may be able to take some kind of legal action in order to recoup expenses for dealing with clothing, etc. But you’d have to get legal advice about that (I’m not a lawyer).

I love, however, that your landlord-relative is pretending they’re doing you a special favor in treating for bed bugs because “you’re family.” That’s classy.

]]> By: LosingSleep http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-10023 LosingSleep Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:33:37 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-10023 Great question about the costs - we've been infected for a month or so now; told the super last week, and he finally calls me back today to say he's spoken with a PCO who can come next week, but first I have to bag all of my clothing and wash it in hotwater, or dry clean it. He said the landlord would pay for the PCO, but I'm not sure about the cost of cleaning everything. I'm actually related to the landlord, and so I don't want to cause any problems for her by calling 311, but do want what's right. We're in Brooklyn, and the building has 12 units, I have no idea where the bugs came from, but the super says our apartment is the only one that reports an infection and he's "Asked" ... I'm not so sure. The super also told me that when he spoke to the landlord, or actually her agent, that he was told it was a "Tenant issue" but since I was family, they'd help out. Well, same result, but I had to educate him - based on what I found on this website. So, anyone know about the costs? Like you can imagine, I don't want a fight with the landlord, but don't want to spend a fortune either. Great question about the costs - we’ve been infected for a month or so now; told the super last week, and he finally calls me back today to say he’s spoken with a PCO who can come next week, but first I have to bag all of my clothing and wash it in hotwater, or dry clean it.

He said the landlord would pay for the PCO, but I’m not sure about the cost of cleaning everything. I’m actually related to the landlord, and so I don’t want to cause any problems for her by calling 311, but do want what’s right. We’re in Brooklyn, and the building has 12 units, I have no idea where the bugs came from, but the super says our apartment is the only one that reports an infection and he’s “Asked” … I’m not so sure. The super also told me that when he spoke to the landlord, or actually her agent, that he was told it was a “Tenant issue” but since I was family, they’d help out. Well, same result, but I had to educate him - based on what I found on this website.

So, anyone know about the costs? Like you can imagine, I don’t want a fight with the landlord, but don’t want to spend a fortune either.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-9518 nobugsonme Tue, 06 May 2008 08:45:14 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-9518 Harriet, I am not sure if Kathleen is still reading, but I hope you will check out http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org, and connect with others lobbying NYC politicians to take action on this issue. Harriet,
I am not sure if Kathleen is still reading, but I hope you will check out http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org, and connect with others lobbying NYC politicians to take action on this issue.

]]> By: Harriet http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-9517 Harriet Tue, 06 May 2008 05:32:20 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-9517 Kathleen, We must live in the same district. Last summer I called Inez Dickens' office and also spoke to Joyce Goodman. Joyce Goodman told me she didn't understand why I just didn't throw my mattress away and the office of I. Dickens was equally unhelpful. I really tried to educate them to no avail. Did you have a meeting with I. Dickens? I'd be most happy to join forces with you if you're interested. Kathleen,
We must live in the same district. Last summer I called Inez Dickens’ office and also spoke to Joyce Goodman. Joyce Goodman told me she didn’t understand why I just didn’t throw my mattress away and the office of I. Dickens was equally unhelpful. I really tried to educate them to no avail.

Did you have a meeting with I. Dickens? I’d be most happy to join forces with you if you’re interested.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-8333 nobugsonme Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:25 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-8333 Kathleen, Sorry I do not know what else to advise. But good luck and I hope you will keep us posted. Kathleen,
Sorry I do not know what else to advise. But good luck and I hope you will keep us posted.

]]> By: kathleensbrady http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-8332 kathleensbrady Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:35:20 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-8332 Thanks. I have been exploring some of the lawyers on your links, called 311, posted notices in the building about the increase in bed bug occurances, contacted Met Council, as well as the Housing Advocate for our district, Joyce Goodman. I called our Counselwoman Inez Dickens to set up a meeting with her and intend to file an HP action at the clerks office at 111 Centre St. If you can think of anything else that would assist me I would appreciate your help. Thanks. I have been exploring some of the lawyers on your links, called 311, posted notices in the building about the increase in bed bug occurances, contacted Met Council, as well as the Housing Advocate for our district, Joyce Goodman. I called our Counselwoman Inez Dickens to set up a meeting with her and intend to file an HP action at the clerks office at 111 Centre St.

If you can think of anything else that would assist me I would appreciate your help.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-8328 nobugsonme Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:53:29 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-8328 Kathleen, Believe me, I do understand NYC rent guidelines. I would suggest looking into some of the lawyers involved in cases mentioned in the link I provided in my last comment above. Kathleen,
Believe me, I do understand NYC rent guidelines.

I would suggest looking into some of the lawyers involved in cases mentioned in the link I provided in my last comment above.

]]> By: kathleensbrady http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/nyctenants/#comment-8327 kathleensbrady Sun, 03 Feb 2008 05:45:53 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/22/new-york-city-whos-responsible-to-pay-for-treatment-complicated-in-some-cases/#comment-8327 Hi Nobugsonme: Thanks for your response. You need to understand NYC rent guidelines. Anyone who is renting apts. in NYC presently would not fall under the protection of our rent stabilization regs. Because my apt. is stabilized I have specific rights as a tenant that a "fair market " rentor does not enjoy. Specifically, my slumlord cannot just one day decide to cancel my lease. Therefore his disclosing the presence of bb's would be moot as I have been living here for over 30 years. He would do almost anything to get us "protected rentors" out so the rent can go up thousands of dollars. About one year ago the tenant below my apt. had a serious case of bed bugs. I told slumlord then that treating only the infested apt. would not stop them from migrating to other apts and requested he treat the entire building both apts. and public areas. Only the apt. affected was treated at that time. An apt. two floors above me had bb's. Again, the slumlord did nothing to prevent the infestation from spreading. My apt finally came down with a serious bb case. The slumlord sent the exterminator to spray my apt. When I asked again for the building to be treated he said NO. Since writing my first entry I have found case law in NYC that ruled in favor of the tenant receiving rent abatements when it was clear that the infestation was not just an isolated case in one apt. The way I understand the habits of bed bugs (and believe me, I know more than I ever wanted to) they can live for an entire year on one blood feeding. Does anyone out there know of a good personal injury or tenant lawyer that has taken any landlords to court on "warranty of habitability"? It would be really helpful to consult with a pro. Thanks Hi Nobugsonme:
Thanks for your response. You need to understand NYC rent guidelines. Anyone who is renting apts. in NYC presently would not fall under the protection of our rent stabilization regs. Because my apt. is stabilized I have specific rights as a tenant that a “fair market ” rentor does not enjoy. Specifically, my slumlord cannot just one day decide to cancel my lease. Therefore his disclosing the presence of bb’s would be moot as I have been living here for over 30 years. He would do almost anything to get us “protected rentors” out so the rent can go up thousands of dollars.
About one year ago the tenant below my apt. had a serious case of bed bugs. I told slumlord then that treating only the infested apt. would not stop them from migrating to other apts and requested he treat the entire building both apts. and public areas. Only the apt. affected was treated at that time. An apt. two floors above me had bb’s. Again, the slumlord did nothing to prevent the infestation from spreading. My apt finally came down with a serious bb case. The slumlord sent the exterminator to spray my apt. When I asked again for the building to be treated he said NO. Since writing my first entry I have found case law in NYC that ruled in favor of the tenant receiving rent abatements when it was clear that the infestation was not just an isolated case in one apt. The way I understand the habits of bed bugs (and believe me, I know more than I ever wanted to) they can live for an entire year on one blood feeding. Does anyone out there know of a good personal injury or tenant lawyer that has taken any landlords to court on “warranty of habitability”? It would be really helpful to consult with a pro. Thanks

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