Breaking lease due to bed bugs? (2015, apartment, month-to-month)

[PghCity]

I've lived in an apartment in Allegheny County for 3 years (since 2012), and the original lease was month-to-month. In June 2015, I was told they would be switching to a year lease. I said no, I only want month-to-month. The landlord told me verbally that I could still do month-to-month, but I had to sign this year lease or I couldn't stay. I signed the lease because I truly had no intention of leaving.

Within the past year (2014 - 2015), there have been 6 or 7 cases of bed bugs in the building. My room is next to 3 rooms that had them about 5 or 6 months ago. Two weeks ago, I found bed bugs in my room. I was told they were there for a few months, at least.

I want to move out because the bed bug problem is spreading. My contract states that the landlord must keep a safe and clean environment. I am worried the bed bugs will keep spreading around the building, and I could get re-infested.

I talked to my landlord who said I am bound by the year contract and would have to pay every single month until July 2016 (which is thousands and thousands of dollars). Obviously I cannot afford this payment.

Don't I have a right to move if I'm the 7th or 8th case of bed bugs within the past year at this place? Doesn't this mean they broke their own contract/lease if they aren't keeping it safe/clean?

[Pitt Chick]

IDK... just because there are insects doesn't mean the place is unsafe or unclean.

[PghCity]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

IDK... just because there are insects doesn't mean the place is unsafe or unclean.

I have hives all over my body from allergic reactions from the bites, thrown out hundreds of dollars of infested items, cannot live in my apartment for 1 month, took off work to do hours and hours of laundry and cleaning for the extermination, and have the psychological fear of the bugs being on me and biting me. In addition, the bed bugs spread to my boyfriend's place and also his sister's place. They have to do exterminations now as well. People will not understand the situation unless they go through it. Trust me, I do not want to be in that building with the chance of re-infestation and having to go through this again.

[guy2073]

I would move, Of course he wants you to stay, how is he going to rent an infested apartment. You may loose your security deposit, but I don't see a magistrate judging in his favor if he sues.

[BigPizzaHutFan]

Originally Posted by PghCity

I have hives all over my body from allergic reactions from the bites, thrown out hundreds of dollars of infested items, cannot live in my apartment for 1 month, took off work to do hours and hours of laundry and cleaning for the extermination, and have the psychological fear of the bugs being on me and biting me. In addition, the bed bugs spread to my boyfriend's place and also his sister's place. They have to do exterminations now as well. People will not understand the situation unless they go through it. Trust me, I do not want to be in that building with the chance of re-infestation and having to go through this again.

Allegheny County Bar Association has an opinion on this, specifically that a lease implies a warranty of habitability and an insect infestation likely fails that standard:

Bed Bug infestation - Legal Briefs

Keep any and all records of any contact you've ever had with your landlord, and contact a lawyer immediately.

I had a situation where my landlord was dead wrong and I spent a little over $2000 to get out of a lease six months early, which saved me $7500 and got my security deposit returned intact.

Just document everything this has cost you and document any response your landlord has given you in response to cleaning the problem up. A lawyers is always worth it; if you can't afford one, call Neighborhood Legal Services.

[BigPizzaHutFan]

Originally Posted by guy2073

I would move, Of course he wants you to stay, how is he going to rent an infested apartment. You may loose your security deposit, but I don't see a magistrate judging in his favor if he sues.

The OP will cause himself trouble if he quits paying rent in violation of the lease.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by BigPizzaHutFan

The OP will cause himself trouble if he quits paying rent in violation of the lease.

I am not saying to quit paying rent, I am saying to give 30 days notice and move out. If the current landlord files a complaint in court, I believe the judge would rule in the op's favor.

[Kippy]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

IDK... just because there are insects doesn't mean the place is unsafe or unclean.

Really??!? I would consider an infestation of any kind of bug, particularly one that feeds in human blood, to be unclean.

[Pitt Chick]

And the OP adds important information after the fact...

OP, hope you have documentation of the allergy testing, doctor visits, etc. Calling a lawyer would be advised to see what your options are.


Knowing there were bedbugs in 2014 and early 2015, you really should have moved out as soon as your lease was up.

[tyovan4]

Be sure to give Allegheny County Health Department's Housing & Community Environment office a call: 412-350-4046
ACHD - HCE Program

They investigate bed bugs in apartment buildings and may be able to help you.