Is this grounds to break a lease? Extreme bed bugs!!

[A Nonny Mouse]

I think the OP is saying the mattresses in the dumpster were there because of bedbugs, thus indicating the complex knew of the bug issue before she moved in, not that she took a mattress from the dumpster.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by randoreds

Ok, first post. But I need help. When I moved in, I noticed mattresses in the dumpster, but didn't think anything of it. Now I know why, it is infested with bed bugs!!!! Bed bugs so bad I can literally see them walking around. I called the landlord and first she refused to believe me. She even said she got bug people to look inside, and there were none. Then I literally caught like 30 of them, and gave them to her. So I am extremely annoyed and just want to get out of the lease. I wasn't warned that this was a problem. None of my neighbors know about the bugs( this will change shortly). I have to throw away all my furniture. I'm not asking her to repay me for the damages( which is 3 mattress, 2 futons, and a couch.), if she lets me out of the lease. I've only lived in this apartment for 6 months and I got 6 more to go.

And I can prove this has been a problem, because I was looking at reviews of the complex. And about a week, after I moved in, there is a review that says don't live there infested with bed bugs!! And I looked at another site and it had a earlier review, saying there are bed bugs

And Its in a school zone, so that has to be some health code violation!
Totally calling the health department!

My roommate called her, and she said it was impossible. But he is bad with arguments, so I'm going to go in person and talk to her, tomorrow. Any feedback would help. SORRY, about the length, but I am pissed!!

Ok, you have been there 6 mths, and you didn't complian before now?? Might be hard to prove you didn't bring them w/ you by this time. You'll also need to research, the can travel in boxes, bedding, clothes any packaging etc when you move. I have seen a few threads, check those. I read steam can get rid of them, i.e. a shark steamer appliance. But I'd be proactive in researching if they are as bad as you describe. scarey, good luck.

[26thor26]

Actually, bed bugs can definitely show up after 6 months.... I moved into a building b/c a friend recommended it. No problems for 6 months, because the floors had been re-shellaced and the bugs didn't like it! Once the stuff wore off they started coming out of the cracks in the floor boards (old building, didn't think much of it, DUMB) from the neighbors below me. I spoke to the people below me and they've been having problems for years-- because they hadn't been getting treated! They have a kid with special needs and can't afford to move. I'm trying to move now that I'm no longer a student and can afford it. But don't be fooled, those bugs will hide out for as long as it takes. Get your self some Hotshot Spray and spray your mattress on the sides, and your couch. This will at least keep them off you while you figure things out. Also, bag anything you want to take with you. They'll suffocate. diatomaceous earth is ok, but takes a few weeks (2/3) to really get them. These are the ONLY things I've found to work. O yea and get a mattress cover!

[Kim in FL]

They also need to check their lease. They may be held responsible for the cost involved of removing those bugs from their unit. It's not cheap and it's not easy.

Bed bugs have become and huge problem here in the states. I have personally seen ppl with bedbugs on their body...along with lice and fleas....talk about nasty. And bedbugs do cause harm..if they are biting you, those bites can become infected. And the Health Dept DOES get involved.

[jamies]

Find out your laws on bed bug mitigation. In multi-fams usually the LL takes care of the eradication BUT ALL the tenants MUST cooperate completely. You don't need to throw everything out.

There are bed bug proof mattress covers, you seal them in for about 9 months and they die. You may need to put your furniture in storage. There are extermination methods that require multiple treatments.

EVERYONE in the complex has to work together all at the same time or you will not get rid of them.

TALK to your LL, all of you educate yourselves and work together to fix the problem. Then you will be just fine.

[Osito]

Originally Posted by randoreds

Ok, first post. But I need help. When I moved in, I noticed mattresses in the dumpster, but didn't think anything of it. Now I know why, it is infested with bed bugs!!!! Bed bugs so bad I can literally see them walking around. I called the landlord and first she refused to believe me. She even said she got bug people to look inside, and there were none. Then I literally caught like 30 of them, and gave them to her. So I am extremely annoyed and just want to get out of the lease. I wasn't warned that this was a problem. None of my neighbors know about the bugs( this will change shortly). I have to throw away all my furniture. I'm not asking her to repay me for the damages( which is 3 mattress, 2 futons, and a couch.), if she lets me out of the lease. I've only lived in this apartment for 6 months and I got 6 more to go.

And I can prove this has been a problem, because I was looking at reviews of the complex. And about a week, after I moved in, there is a review that says don't live there infested with bed bugs!! And I looked at another site and it had a earlier review, saying there are bed bugs

And Its in a school zone, so that has to be some health code violation!
Totally calling the health department!

My roommate called her, and she said it was impossible. But he is bad with arguments, so I'm going to go in person and talk to her, tomorrow. Any feedback would help. SORRY, about the length, but I am pissed!!

Aw man, sorry to hear all that. Anybody who ever said "wolves be the devil on earth" never had bed bugs. I've had them twice, and each time they went away. In my last apartment when we got them, the landlord exterminated them. This time I moved into a place that had bed bugs but they weren't terribly bad. I got a can of Raid and sprayed my mattress big time. I did this every morning and every night until they were gone and they haven't been back since (knocking on wood). I hope you can get out of your lease.

Originally Posted by old_cold

You've lived there 6 months and are just noticing the bugs????
That's not a usual thing with bedbugs.

Sure it can if the bugs were once exterminated from that apartment. They can get back in you know, but it can take time.

Originally Posted by Kim in FL

That's what you get for dumpster diving.

Where did you get that this person was dumpster diving???

[pekemom]

We have rentals, houses, and got a triplex we are fixing up.
Never had a multiple dwelling before and I saw this thread about bedbugs.
No one has ever complained of bedbugs in our houses but what if one
tenant brings in bedbugs and it spreads to the other tenants. Who is
responsible for their infestation?...Yes, we'll talk to a lawyer before this
place is ready to rent but I wonder if anyone has had a situation come up like this?

[randoreds]

just an fyi to everyone here I was able to break the lease. It was extremely annoying and hard. but it saved like 4 months of rent!

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by pekemom

We have rentals, houses, and got a triplex we are fixing up.
Never had a multiple dwelling before and I saw this thread about bedbugs.
No one has ever complained of bedbugs in our houses but what if one
tenant brings in bedbugs and it spreads to the other tenants. Who is
responsible for their infestation?...Yes, we'll talk to a lawyer before this
place is ready to rent but I wonder if anyone has had a situation come up like this?

In New York it would be you. I think in general it would be you as well. In a multiple family dwelling the landlord is responsible in general because it would be very difficult to prove who brought them in. .

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by randoreds

just an fyi to everyone here I was able to break the lease. It was extremely annoying and hard. but it saved like 4 months of rent!

Thanks for the good news update!