Landlords Responsible For Bed Bugs Costs

Sept. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Tampa, Florida.  Apartment complex owners usually cannot pass on costs of bed bug removal to their renters.  With the recent increase in reported bed bug infestations throughout Florida, many apartment complexes might be tempted to pass along bed bug extermination costs to renters. Florida law, however, usually says otherwise when it comes to bed bugs in rental apartments.

Renters in apartment complexes are usually protected from bed bug costs by Florida law.  Section 83.51, Florida Statutes, specifically requires that apartment landlords make provisions for the exterminaton of bed bugs.  Section 83.51 (2)(a)(1) states,

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, in addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the landlord of a dwelling unit other than a single-family home or duplex shall, at all times during the tenancy, make reasonable provisions for:

1.  The extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms, and bedbugs. When vacation of the premises is required for such extermination, the landlord shall not be liable for damages but shall abate the rent. The tenant shall be required to temporarily vacate the premises for a period of time not to exceed 4 days, on 7 days' written notice, if necessary, for extermination pursuant to this subparagraph.

In other words, apartment landlords are usually responsible for treating bed bug infestations, and they cannot pass the costs along to the tenant or renter.  Apartment complexes who do pass along the costs potentially violate Florida law and may face legal liabilities.  

Apartment renters with bed bug problems should immediately report them to the apartment management, and if you are a tenant with bed bug problems and your landlord is forcing you to pay for bed beg extermination, talk to an experienced landlord tenant lawyer, like the ones at the Byrne Law Firm (http://www.byrnelawgroup.com) at 813.413.6565 today.