State Specific Question About: FLORIDA (FL)

is the landlord responsible for bedbugs?

In Los Angeles, the City and Health Department make it the FULL responsibility for the landlord to eradicate the bed bugs. However, afterwards, if the Landlord can prove the bedbugs were brought in by the tenants, then the landlord can ask the tenant to pay them back for the costs. However, if the tenant doesn't pay, the landlord can sue in small claims court.

I had rented out a house for 35 years. Before my last tenant I had done a full remodel. No carpeting, all hardwood flooring. The tenant lived there for 5 years with her children. The tenants sister had Bedbugs at her home nearby so the Sister, Her Husband, three kids and pets stayed with her in my rental until their home was bed bug free. When the sister and family returned to their home, they had left bedbugs in my rental.

In my state, in sfh, no. In multi -fam, then, I think, landlord may have to be involved in my state. Not sure, I only do sfh.

However, I give the tenants some tips, point them in the right direction, keep track. A lot of self-help solutions on the inter webs which could result in a fire, or health risk. I want to make sure the tenants can manage the task responsibly., safely. I have C class properties, good tenants, but , they sure appreciate a little advice.

In my state, I don't have to protect my tenants from bed bugs in a sfh. In a multi, I don't have to protect A from their own bugs-- but I have to protect B, C, and D from A's bugs. So in reality, in a multi, I would take on full pest control duties because I wouldn't trust A to resolve any issues.

In my sfh's, I've had bedbugs twice. Once, it was from some used bedroom furniture they brought in. They moved rather than comply with the pre-heat-treatment checklist. The other time, I suspect she brought it from her workplace, a prison. I had her resolve the issue chemically. The pest control people gave her a payment plan, and I allowed her rent to be late a few times while she juggled those payments.

With the original version of my lease, I thought my wording was very clear that pest issues were the responsibility of the tenant. After my first bedbug experience, I made it undeniably clear that pest issues were the responsibility of the tenant after the first x hours within moving in--- so the next time it came up, I was able to say, "Ah. What do you plan to do to take care of it?"

Much depends on local law, single places almost always tenant pay after 30 days. Multi is more complex as everything needs to be sealed just like roach eradication, use clear tape to get specimens so you know what you are treating for, visit domyown pest control online for generous photos and info.

Florida law only requires a landlord to be responsible for pest control in units other than single family homes or duplexes.

My leases state tenant is responsible for their own pest control. I do help when it comes to critters in the attic like rats/squirrels and I'd handle a termite issue. I still get calls about ants, spiders and roaches and I give them my pest control man's number or refer them to Do It Yourself Pest Control. One actually thought I should treat her yard so her dog didn't get fleas! Nope. It's Florida- we get bugs.

The only one I had who claimed bedbugs only asked permission to treat them.

Ken-