 Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Sep 5, 2013 10:02 AM
 Bedbugs (by frank [NY]) Sep 5, 2013 12:16 PM
Bedbugs (by RB [MI]) Sep 5, 2013 2:24 PM
Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Sep 5, 2013 2:48 PM
Bedbugs (by V [OH]) Sep 5, 2013 5:40 PM
Bedbugs (by Deanna [TX]) Sep 5, 2013 6:31 PM
Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Sep 5, 2013 7:21 PM
Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 10:02 AM
Message:
State Specific Question About: NEW YORK (NY)
I'm not so sure that simply holding a landlord to be responsible for extermination also applies to its cost. I interpret that to mean that the landlord must make sure it is done and the rest is up to how the lease is worded. QUESTIONS TO FOLLOW:
If the unit was bedbug free and a certificate of this state can be presented, then, couldn't there be a clause in the lease making the tenant responsible for the cost of extermination?
Shouldn't I be able to put a clause in the lease regarding tenant (monetary) responsibility for failure to comply with preparatory requirements for an extermination that I, as a landlord had to pay for anyway?
Shouldn't re-infestation or non-reporting be able to result in eviction and landlord confiscation of monies (in the tenants name) in their possession, and be a plausible clause in the lease?
"
--67.248.xxx.xxx |
Bedbugs (by frank [NY]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 12:16 PM
Message:
Interesting questions. I have been operating in the mode that I will lose if it comes to be trying to evict a tenant for bedbugs.
The real question is, has there been court cases that the landlord has WON and got monetary damages because of bedbugs. If the tenant is not allowing access for a professional to cure the bedbug problem, then it is a cause for eviction. Not for the bedbugs but for the restriction of access to cure the problem.
The laws are unclear if bedbugs are vermin or not. That classification can tie bedbugs to the clauses that deal with vermin. Again, I've been operating under the idea that I need to provide a safe and pestfree living spaces to my tenants.
Every comment or complaint of bedbugs, I have the tenant make an appointment with my exterminator. Cost me $650 every time but I believe is my responsibility. AND I'm not ready to make new law on my dime. Even @ 15 units, I have only $2600 invested so far in bedbugs. --71.190.xxx.xxx |
Bedbugs (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 2:24 PM
Message:
Were bedbugs present at showing, walk-through inspection
or lease signing ?
Answer: No.
Well what changed ?
It's a LIFE-STYLE problem.....like roadside shopping. DIG ?
--24.236.xxx.xx |
Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 2:48 PM
Message:
To the 12:16 pm reply on 9/5:
That's my point - If I can prove that I have provided a safe place and am up to code, then if they bring in bedbugs, it should be on them. Yes, I must exterminate, but I believe the tenant is responsible for cost and security deposits and other monies in my possession in their name are at my disposal to offset the cost.
If, after a successful extermination by a professional service, the bugs should re-establish themselves, the tenant would be responsible again. That should be grounds for eviction and to pursue further restitution in small claims court.
Again, if the tenant does not prep. as instructed, for the extermination, they should be able to be evicted and charged for the cost.
I am hoping someone out there can confirm this. It seems reasonable to me. I think there is a vague/grey area in the laws that would allow for this - except maybe in Chicago, where they have become very specific and lanlord unfriendly it seems. --67.248.xxx.xxx |
Bedbugs (by V [OH]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 5:40 PM
Message:
Do some research on bedbugs, in most places it cost 25-35bux to trap and kill them, keep cleaning out the cups and everybody is happy except the bugs. --75.94.xxx.xxx |
Bedbugs (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 6:31 PM
Message:
We've modified our lease--twice-- to address this issue ourselves. No fun. :o(
When you say "unit", are you referring to a single unit in a multifamily? Or are you referring to a single-family home?
One way it was explained to me was that if Fred brings home bedbugs in a SFH, it's on him, because the infestation was a result of his actions. But if Fred brings home bedbugs in one unit of a 4plex, it's still on him to solve the problem... but it's on me to keep Suzy, Jane, and Bob's units bedbug-free, since they had nothing to do with the source of the problem. --64.72.xx.xxx |
Bedbugs (by Helene Brown [NY]) Posted on: Sep 5, 2013 7:21 PM
Message:
I'm in a really knarly position - I'm an owner occupant in one of 8 connected row houses, so if one of the other owners has an issue in one of the two apartments in their house, my house is at risk.
Same for them if my tenant brings them in. So, as in the case of Fred - do I have to pay for the other homes' treatment or just my own? --67.248.xxx.xxx |
Reply:
|
|