Wondering if the bedbugs followed us...and how to get our money back

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Wondering if the bedbugs followed us...and how to get our money back

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loren

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 13:42:46
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I just moved to Vancouver, BC to be with my boyfriend. He found us an apartment and just before I arrived a friend of ours was sleeping over one night on the floor in the bedroom and said that bugs were biting him. My boyfriend was sleeping on a futon in the living room and never noticed any problems. In the next couple weeks, my boyfriend saw another 2 bugs on different occasions in the bathroom. Since I had just moved there, I left basically everything I own in my car instead of bringing it inside and risking getting it infested. I never saw any, but asked the neighbor and he said that the previous people had moved out due to bed bugs and that everyone on the floor has them. I called the landlord and he sent the exterminator that the property manager has a contract with. Apparently some guy came and sprayed an odorless gas around the futon (not even in the bedroom where they were) and said "It is done." Well, my boyfriend saw another bug or two after that. The guy obviously didn't do jack [expletive deleted]. I call the landlord in an outrage and he says "Oh yeah, I know that that exterminator is complete BS and I told my boss but they have a contract and won't pay for someone else to come." He offers to have the guy come spray again. I say forget it, what is that point if he isn't even doing anything. So we decide to leave and tell our landlord. He says he will try to get us some money back. We move to a new place- wash and dry everything in hot water, use a steamer on absolutely everything, check in every crack and crevice, put mattress in a cover, etc. I have only seen one since getting here and it was the day we moved in and was hiding in a cup. Now we have been here for nearly 2 months and have not seen any bugs or signs of bugs. Last night I noticed some bites on my leg. Could they have been idle for 2 months and just now are biting me again?? I thought that we were in the clear!! In addition, the old landlord told us that he asked his boss and that not only will we lose all the rent money we paid, but he will not give us our security deposit either, since we did not give 30 days notice before leaving. I am so angry and upset about this..I have let a few weeks go by doing nothing but need to take legal action against this asshole. Do I have a case to at least try to get our security deposit back??? What a nightmare!!
BuggedOutBabe

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 14:00:23
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It's a total complete nightmare and I know we all know how you feel. I feel like im losing my mind. It's a total blame that never ends and then the PCO are awful and careless and don't know how to do there job. Ugh sorry I'm just having a bad bug day.

I'm not an expert but I have heard they can be idle for much longer than that... some say a year, some say they can live up to 18 mths with out a meal

I can't answer about the security deposit...
BuggedOutBabe

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 14:00:25
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It's a total complete nightmare and I know we all know how you feel. I feel like im losing my mind. It's a total blame that never ends and then the PCO are awful and careless and don't know how to do there job. Ugh sorry I'm just having a bad bug day.

I'm not an expert but I have heard they can be idle for much longer than that... some say a year, some say they can live up to 18 mths with out a meal

I can't answer about the security deposit...
loren

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 14:14:00
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If they are here, could our new landlord say it was our fault? Before we moved in, we specifically asked if there were any reports of bedbugs in the apartment
bugnut

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 16:43:14
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Loren,

They could have been trapped in something you opened or unpacked. Did you take out a blanket or seasonal clothes? Even if I heat treated clothing, it goes back in the dryer upon taking out of storage.

If it is BBs you may have caught them early - get the climbup interceptors and see what happens. Also inspect your bed THROUGHLY. If is one or two you may be able to nip it on the bud.

DOn't know about Canada but in NYC the courts are very tenant friendly. Tell them you will sure for the return of the security deposit and call the news also!
BuggedOutBabe

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 19:56:12
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We have the same problem. We got them right when we moved and noticed a week later. Also worried we will be blamed if there is an infestation in the building. Such an awful
unlucky thing to happen when you've done nothing...and bed bugs just happen to you. We are hoping we've caught it early enough for it to not have spread. I would get a good PCO in there asap so if it does spread you can say you did everything you could.
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Oct 5 2010 20:45:39
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Loren: They might have followed you. They might have transferred to you via an infested truck or they might have been waiting for you in your new place. With your new landlord, I'd volunteer nothing and just say "we found bedbugs, it's your building, we need you to fix it". Based on your story, your old landlord sounds like a creep. I'd keep careful records of correspondence and consider getting legal advice on what rights and obligations are in your locale.
sickofbugs

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Oct 6 2010 15:00:48
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Wish I knew a 1 1/2 year ago what I know now, could have saved a lot of money and anguish and most of what little sanity I had left.

If you find a bug, take a picture, several of them, and save dead in freezer in a baggy. When first talking to superintendent always have a friend/relative as a witness. Preferable would be to email or a letter, paper trail is priceless. When talking to landlord(s), again always have a witness and immediately jot down all or as much as you can remember of everything that was said. Keep a journal of every conversation. This is what I did, not from the beginning, but as soon as I realized that LL and PCO who have a huge many building contract with LL were not ever going to do anything to really tackle my problem and others. Some of the things said were priceless and saved me some money and gave me back a sense of accomplishment. I was more upset at how I and others were treated; this is what contributed to my overall paranoia and helplessness. Trauma from bed bugs was acute, but not anything compared to my treatment from LL.

I did get some satisfaction from my approach, saved me some money and gave me back my sanity. One other approach that would work is to approach Residential Tenancy department, but always need to have all documentation/conversations jotted down and witnesses. You can get some help this way, just need to know that it takes time and perseverance. And stay calm. If you cry or get emotional or angry, then you will lose the battle.

sickofbugs