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Bedbugs

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Cvillecpm

Senior Member
Adam - pay attention...the rental property is in MA and the uncle/landlord lives in VA.

Posted website information on MA bedbugs appear to be for hotels or transient lodging facilities.
 


treese

Senior Member
It certainly covers rented apartments. See, e.g., http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cissfsn/sfsnidx.htm

Seems pretty clear this is the landlord's responsibility. Some of these bloodsuckers on this website are kidding themselves.

Ya think? Each publication given specifically gives advice for both landlords and tenants in regards to bedbugs, even as far as to state that it is responsibility of the landlord citing MA law.

It sucks for landlords, but it is what it is.

Gawd ... I've got the creepy crawlies after reading some of the info.
 

Cvillecpm

Senior Member
As has been mentioned - only ONE apt is effected so tenant should be responsible....if the WHOLE 3-unit building was effected, then THAT would mean the landlord was responsible.

Bedbugs are the NEW "mold" which was the NEW "lead"....
 

AdamWe

Member
Adam - pay attention...the rental property is in MA and the uncle/landlord lives in VA.

Posted website information on MA bedbugs appear to be for hotels or transient lodging facilities.

Sorry, my head is on properly now.

Also if the whole unit becomes infected couldn't the tenant be held responsible or is it the landlords responsibility to control the infection to the original source.

FYI aren't bedbugs such fascinating creatures to research. They can survive up to 18 months without feeding.
 
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treese

Senior Member
FYI aren't bedbugs such fascinating creatures to research.
No ... the subject gives me the creepy crawlies :)

As has been mentioned - only ONE apt is effected so tenant should be responsible....if the WHOLE 3-unit building was effected, then THAT would mean the landlord was responsible.
Not in MA, according to some of the info provided.

Also if the whole unit becomes infected couldn't the tenant be held responsible or is it the landlords responsibility to control the infection to the original source.
Read below, the landlord is responsible to have adjacent units inspected and treated.

Bedbugs are the NEW "mold" which was the NEW "lead"....

LANDLORD
*** WHAT TO DO – 10 steps ***
1. UNDERSTAND that a “Bed Bug” (Cimex) infestation begins
by a single insect traveling into a building. A cimex infestation is
neither your fault nor the fault of the tenants. By law you are
required to maintain the dwelling you own without insect
infestation. (MA: 105 CMR 410.550).

2. INSPECTION BEFORE TREATMENT is very
important before treatment. Call the Somerville Board of Health
617 - 625 - 6600 x 4300 to request a consultation, to confirm
infestation, for assistance & instructions. Only a licensed
professional exterminator or Health Inspector is qualified to confirm
infestation.
3. CONTACT TENANTS. Extermination can ONLY be
effective with your tenants’ participation and preparation.
COORDINATE DATE/TIME OF EXTERMINATION
Speak with your tenants and coordinate date and time for
preparation of home and extermination. Schedule accordingly.
4. PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS for PREPARATION OF
DWELLING on EXTERMINATION DAY. Provide tenant
with a copy of this pamphlet, as preparation of dwelling is critical
on the day the exterminator will treat the home. Inform your
tenants of the steps required to prepare the dwelling for
extermination. Without these steps, the extermination alone will not
be effective in eradicating “bed bug” infestation.
5. CHOOSE an EXTERMINATOR CAREFULLY.
Choose a professional licensed exterminator carefully. Expertise is
required for Cimex (“bedbug”) eradication as pesticides alone are
NOT effective. A good exterminator will have specific protocol
unique to solving this problem.
6. ASK QUESTIONS. The following are questions to ask that
will help determine the qualifications of an exterminator to
eradicate a dwelling of “Bed Bugs” (Cimex).
* Do you have background, training and experience with "Bed Bug"
(Cimex) eradication? (Yes.)
* How long will treatment take? (At least one day).
* How many treatments will this require?
(Thorough eradication requires multiple treatments).
* Will preparations be necessary?
(Extensive preparation is necessary for effective treatment).
* Are "Bed Bugs" difficult to eradicate? (Yes.)
* When will you treat the dwelling?
(NOT today. Extensive prep by occupant is necessary.)
* Do you provide materials to prepare tenant for your visit? (Yes.)
* Will you be checking surrounding units? (Critical).
* Do you follow up with inspections?
(An experienced professional inspects every two weeks.)
7. HIRE A QUALIFIED LICENSED EXTERMINATOR
and SCHEDULE THE VISIT. Inform tenants of date / time.
8. REPEAT INSPECTIONS every 2 weeks until resolved.
9. REPEAT TREATMENT and eradication measures until the
problem is fully resolved.
10. ADJACENT UNITS MUST BE INSPECTED and
treated, as the insects live in the walls and floor boards of a building.


COST OF EXTERMINATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE
THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF YOUR TENANTS.
IF TENANTS LEAVE, THE PROBLEM WILL REMAIN.
 

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