Sign a Lease??? BB in the bldng 6 months ago « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Sign a Lease??? BB in the bldng 6 months ago

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stmfrdgal

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 23:22:29
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I just found a great apartment in NYC and then through the required disclosure, I learned that there were bed bugs in THE BUILDING about 6 months ago. They were in the street level apartment and (if I sign the lease) I will be on the 5th floor. I am hesitant to sign a lease b/c I know that they can spread, but am also aware that in NYC BBs seem to be an issue in many places....

I've also spoken to a few current tenants and none of them mentioned BBs.

Can anyone provide me their thoughts on what to do?

Also - I plan to speak to the super tomorrow (he has lived in the bldng for 30 years) and hope to get more info.

Any help or thoughts you can provide would be appreciated.. I"m really struggling with this decision!

THANK YOU!
cilecto

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 0:12:39
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Over time, any building of a significant size is likely to have a BB issue somewhere. The key to your decision to move in or not is how the management deals with the problem. Do they work with tenants or harrass them? Do they use a competent pro? Do they have reasonable rules regarding covering expenses? Do BB problems get resolved successfully? Is there any chatter about them on bedbugregistry.com that would indicate mismanagement? Best of luck.
bugsinbrooklyn13

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 11:35:17
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Hi there!

I left a building with a lot of BB history...and it has been an expensive hell. Not all old buildings have them. Where in NYC are you looking? (I'm hoping it isn't my old landlord...she owns 26 apt buildings in Brooklyn and is HORRIBLE)
stmfrdgal

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 12:51:58
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Hi - I'm looking in the Kips Bay Gramemrcy area. I checked the registry and found nothing.. also looked for complaints and didn't find anything. Also - I asked a few folks taht live in the building about noise and bugs (not specific to bed bugs) and they all said they really like the building -- one said other than some noise, it's perfect, one told me she was going to renew her lease and one even pointed out the she hadn't had a bug or vermin issue - which she said is rare for NYC..

Also - the sup assured me that IF there was an issue he would get an exterminator in there right away... he then asked me - you don't have bb in your apartment now do you? (I was like NOOOO!! I"m just terrified of getting them)

I'm concerned taht if I give up this apartment I could run into the exact same issue anywhere I go in NYC... I don't want to be sumb about it either way...........

What to do?!#
bugsinbrooklyn13

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 13:12:07
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Well, they seem to already have their business together by giving you the disclosure. Which is huge. It's always a matter of treating the WHOLE building if they come back in scary amounts.

It's all over and exhausting. It's a good sign that there is nothing on the registry, and you've talked to other tenants.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 13:18:47
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I think if you're four floors away, there's a good chance the problem didn't spread to you. And if the landlord is as responsive as he sounds, the tenants of your unit would be likely to report a problem.

In some very dysfunctional cases, buildings full of people are afraid to even report bed bugs to their landlords. But those tenants would surely not report being happy in the building. I think you're probably in a good spot.

I would choose a responsive landlord whose building has had some bed bugs over one with no history-- because you never really know how those folks are going to respond or if the problem already exists and is undisclosed or untreated.

I'd be worried if multiple units or your unit had a recent problem, because its harder to say in those cases whether it might persist.
stmfrdgal

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Posted 9 months ago
Fri Aug 3 2012 18:48:29
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts.. I'm leaning towards taking the apartment.. would love anyone else's perspective if they want to share... I have to make a decision tomorrow! Thanks again!
bedbugsuptown

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Posted 9 months ago
Sat Aug 4 2012 1:04:21
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Hard to believe that bedbugs have never infested a building in Kips Bay/Gramercy/Murray Hill or anywhere else in nyc for that matter. Certainly some areas have it worse that others. The thing is people often don't report an infestation for a multitude of reasons.

That being said I agree with everything nobugs posted. It's a great apartment, sounds like sound management--you asked for more feedback, I'd say go for it.
stmfrdgal

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Posted 9 months ago
Sat Aug 4 2012 16:37:49
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Thanks everyone! I made the decision to take it. Prior to I also asked more tenants about the building and specifically asked about bb.... they said no, they loved the building and had just renewed their lease... I'm feeling good about the decision, and REALLY appreciate the advice people provided.

Thanks again!