UK Landlord Forum / Life

Good morning all,

I wanted to pick your brains on something.

A tenant of mine has told me that a house of mine they are renting is completely infested with bed bugs.
I had asked, how long had it been infested. She stated for about 4-5 months now, but never mentioned it before as she states that she tried to contain the problem with powders etc. She also has a pet cat who lives indoors. I've never in 15 years of renting out this property experienced this problem before.

Therefore I would like to know if I am liable for pest control in this situation or the tenant.

Thank you.

You don't say how long the Tenant has been in the property.

If the Tenant has been in 4 or 5 years and the bed bugs have been infesting the property for 4 or 5 months, then it'll be a Tenant responsibility. If the Tenant has been in 4 or 5 months and the bed bugs have been infesting the property for 4 or 5 months, well... it'd more likely come down to you, as it'd be hard to assert the bed bugs came with them... well, you could assert it, but it'd be hard to prove.

The presence of the cat seems unrelated? Bed bugs != fleas.

Anyway, in situations like this... I would often at least consider sorting it out yourself and paying for it yourself. It will engender goodwill and you will know the job has been done properly. Also, you can remember the amount for a deposit deduction at the end of the tenancy, possibly. Or you could agree to go halves?

Harmony, man.... it's all about harmony. Love your Tenants. Care for them. They're not pets, but they're the next closest thing some of us have.

Are you on drugs?

Oops forgot to mention how long the tenants have been there. They have been there approaching two years now.
So, what you're saying for harmony sake is to pay for the pest control myself and negotiate the tenants either on going halves with them or taking it out from the deposit? As I see it in my eyes, I don't feel as though I am completely responsible. 

Goonersaurus83-
You need more information.I have just Googled the question Cat fleas v Bed Bugs.Has she had a dirty person in her bed? Bed bugs can only get in a place on a human host.Cat fleas only bite skin covered by thick hair.Is your tenant an unusually hirsute woman? Cat fleas are raised red lumps,bed bugs are flat reddish weals.Can you arrange a visit to examine her skin and take photos?

You have not said whether the let is furnished or not.

Is the tenant using a Matress or bed supplied by you ?  If not I would suggest it is their problem.

If the tenants lived at the property bed bug free anyway for 18 months, it also suggests, that it is not your problem.

Tell them to bed-bug-ger off.

Quote from: goonersaurus83 on September 19, 2016, 10:23:03 AM
Oops forgot to mention how long the tenants have been there. They have been there approaching two years now.
So, what you're saying for harmony sake is to pay for the pest control myself and negotiate the tenants either on going halves with them or taking it out from the deposit? As I see it in my eyes, I don't feel as though I am completely responsible.

If they've been there 2 years and the bed bugs have been there 5 months... it cannot be your problem. However, yes, I am also saying it might be wise to be conciliatory in this situation... it's quite a private thing, in a way, and no-one likes to be told they're a dirty little bugger. If you can find a way so that you, nor the Tenant, is judged it could all be swell. So - are you in any way legally responsible - highly unlikely. But can you play it well - quite possibly.

We all know it's the Tenant, right? But the idea is not to let the Tenant know that you think that. And that you look down upon them, too... for being all dirty.

Fair makes you want to scratch, don't it?

Problem is... you clean the property, but you still have the dirty bleepard living there, riddled with little creatures and probably starting the process all over again. Oh well - we are all our own microcosm... our own little Petri dish.

Halves would be nice because you're both putting something in and no-one is explicitly taking the blame. Harmony. If they refuse, then kick 'em out.