Joe,
I was wondering if you or your readers would be able to help me and/or offer advice.
On May 15th I started a lease for a condo in Ocean City for the entire season (cost: $8500).
About a month into the lease we discovered our unit and several other units were infested with bed bugs. I notified my realtor and they then notified that building management company and then they contacted an exterminator.
Ever since then the exterminator has made a couple visits and sprayed for the pests. They have yet to be exterminated. Just tonight while sleeping I awoke covered in swelling bed bug bites. I captured 7 of them in a jar.
What's the best plan of action to rectify this problem? Is it wrong to expect some reimbursement?
I will be contacting the real estate agency and if I don't get the answers I expect then I hope you'll assist me in exposing the property where the bed bugs exist and the real estate agency that is renting out these units knowing they are infested with bed bugs.
Many thanks,
Sick, tired, and itchy.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Reading more and more about bed bugs and motels. why? what gives?
ReplyDeleteFind out who ownes the unit and let them know what is going on. This information can be obtained by going to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
ReplyDeleteThen write a kind (not threatening) letter to both the rental agency and the owners, stating the problem and because of the problem you are requesting a partial rental refund. Send both a certified copy and a regular mail copy to both and keep a copy for yourself.
I have never had the problem but I have been told to put a plastic mattress cover and zip it shut if thats only where you have them. OR call a qualified exterminator.
ReplyDeleteBedbugs are a big problem in apartments and condos right now. The biggest problem is that they are resistant to almost all pesticides.
ReplyDeleteThe only sure fire method I've come across to kill the bugs and their eggs is heat. You would need to seal the condo and raise the temp inside to around 150 degrees for about 12 hours and that will kill off the adults and the eggs. The only problem is that if other units are infested too, you could get them back after the heat treatment if the other units don't do it as well.
Just seems kind of strange that he is NOW complaining SEPTEMBER!!! Like going to the resturant licking your plate clean and then complaining how horrible the meal was and asking for a refund.
ReplyDelete10:37 Most if not all OC seasonal rentals require payment in full for the rental by July 15th.
ReplyDeleteBed bugs have been a major problem in the middle east for many years.
ReplyDeleteI believe with more and more muslims comming to the ocean that the propblem will get worse.
No it is not wrong to expect some reimbursement if you paid the rent in full in July as is required in most OC seasonal rentals. You fulfulled your obligation by paying the rent and therefore the landlord/their agent is required to fulfull their end which includes an environment free from pests which is a health concern.
ReplyDeleteeverything in the place has to be sealed for six weeks and heated to kill the bed bugs. just spraying will not work. mattress has to be destroyed. all clothes need to be sealed and multiple sprays for six months
ReplyDeleteI'd get the hell out of there!
ReplyDeleteI've had the same problem with a unit I rented from Grace at North Beach Realty in Ocean City.
ReplyDeleteHeat is one way, but the newest and most effective way to eliminate them is freezing with co2 in combination with spraying. Headboards, baseboards etc must be removed before application, of course, this must be done by a pro. Also, as mentioned, they should put on mattress and boxspring covers specially designed to keep budbugs out (and in). All pro pest control cos offer some sort of a guarantee, so they will come back for free if they are not gone, the guarantee is usually longer if you buy the mattress covers from them. Good Luck. And yes, you should get a good portion of your money back, if not, take them to small claims court and you wont have a problem winning.
ReplyDelete1:05, As awful as bed bugs are, there is no health concern related to them. They are not known to transmit any diseases or infections to humans. Also, there is absolutely no correlation between bed bugs and cleanliness. Bed bugs can be introduced even to the most sterile environments, such as a hospital operating room. Also, 1:09, the measures you describe are out dated.
ReplyDeletecall an attorney?
ReplyDeleteThe bed bug problem comes from all the Muslims, they are a dirty people. they smell real bad cus they don't wash or clean themselves, and why do you ask, well, it is becouse they don't have access to clean water like we do here in america, so when they come here they don't change their dirty habbits.Lice in the schools is also from imigrants children being filthy and smelly. Many of the Muslim girls carry Crabs and Pubic Lice too.
ReplyDelete12:01, that might be one of the most inane (look it up; I don't want to use the synonym and be too insulting) I have read for a long time. Muslims? I've heard them blamed for a lot of things, but not bedbugs. That's almost too funny.
ReplyDeleteI would reccommend getting every unit involved. Otherwise as stated earlier you will just be reinfested again. Bed bugs are not just localized to the bed area. After time and population increases they will start to scatter throughout the units. This occurs inside wall voids, ceilings, electrical lines, & whatever else they can find. Bed bugs are increasingly becoming resistant to pest control products so I would reccommend getting heat treatment. I have seen far too many times pest control techs come in and baseboard / headboard spray and be done with it. Heat treatment throughout all the units including wall voids and ceilings will be the only sure way. After this is done I would also reccommend getting a bed bug sniffing dog to inspect each room. I am telling you all this with very extensive knowledge and hands on experience in the field. I have seen top of the line products applied to bed bugs and have them act as though nothing happened. Please do everyone who stays in these units now and in the future the favor and heed my advice.
ReplyDeleteAlso to add to 3:24, researchers in Vancouver have reported that they have found bedbugs containing Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium (VRE).
ReplyDeleteYou should report the problem to the local health department. They can tell you what you need to know about bed bugs and the how to treat for them. DO NOT take ANYTHING to another residence because you will spread them there also!
ReplyDelete3:24, Joint statement from the CDC-EHS----
ReplyDelete"Research on the public health effects of bed bugs has been very limited over the past several decades, largely due to the noted decline in bed bug populations in the latter half of the 20th century. Now that bed bug populations are rapidly increasing, additional research is needed to determine the reasons for the resurgence, the potential for bed bugs to transmit disease and their impact on public health."
Bed bugs are not known at this time to transmit disease to humans, but the research has been basically nonexistant. As far as infections the bites have been known to cause impetigo, ecthyma, and lymphanigitis.
I wouldn't be too quick to say there is no health concerns related to bed bugs until more research is done. Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease comes to mind.
Sprayed for six months?? lmao
ReplyDeleteEven if someone wanted to go that route, it's not rented for that long with the same tenants.
You are going to try to rent it out to new people and tell them you have to spray the place for bed bugs? lol
Who in their right mind would rent it?
Call an attorney, must be something in the contract you signed.?
ReplyDeleteMakes me itchy, just to think about it. Yuck.