Tenant Complaining of Bed Bugs
Discussion
Hi,
My tenants took keys to my flat on the 01/08/15. His family came back from their 3 month holiday from Morocco on the 22 Aug. They contacted the local children's welfare agency and reported bed bugs in the property in the middle of Nov 2015 i.e. 3.5 months after moving in.
Previous tenants made not complaints. I worked in the property, while prepping it up for rent, for 2 weeks and had no bites.
It is my belief there were no bed bugs when the keys were given to them. They reported nothing for the first 3.5 months.
There's mixed comments on websites as to who is liable. Does anyone have an idea on this sort of stuff?
My tenants took keys to my flat on the 01/08/15. His family came back from their 3 month holiday from Morocco on the 22 Aug. They contacted the local children's welfare agency and reported bed bugs in the property in the middle of Nov 2015 i.e. 3.5 months after moving in.
Previous tenants made not complaints. I worked in the property, while prepping it up for rent, for 2 weeks and had no bites.
It is my belief there were no bed bugs when the keys were given to them. They reported nothing for the first 3.5 months.
There's mixed comments on websites as to who is liable. Does anyone have an idea on this sort of stuff?
Some sterling advice there and much appreciated. For a laugh, I thought i would share, Rentofleece quoted me £2.8k to apply 5 sessions of chemicals and a thermo treatment too. The next quote down was £240 for a 2 session treatment. It comes with a months guarantee after the 2 treatments. They do the treatments 30 days apart. They spray everything, bed, clothing, wardrobes, the whole lot. What do you think Battered?
http://www.pestcontrolservices.co.uk/pest-control-...
Okay, I am working on the basis I need to get the flat treated and the tenants wont do it. I will deduct it from their deposit on exit but agree it beforehand.
http://www.pestcontrolservices.co.uk/pest-control-...
Okay, I am working on the basis I need to get the flat treated and the tenants wont do it. I will deduct it from their deposit on exit but agree it beforehand.
LOL at the indian tenants. Trying their luck. How did you get rid of the buggers... the bed bugs that is.
These Moroccan tenants prob brought them into the property from their hols in morocco!
What is frustrating is the local welfare officer called me, then made out it is my issue. She left a voice mail saying the children are living in "unacceptable condition". I played ball until I posted on here and read the advice and looked a bit more at the evidence. She then went on to say she will advise them of their legal rights if I dont do anything about it and also I will be in breach of local environment health laws. She said I am responsible as I provided the furniture and the mattress in the master bedroom looked old.
Considering there were no reported issues for the first 4 months, I can only say it was not an issue with the flat when they moved in.
So frustrating.
These Moroccan tenants prob brought them into the property from their hols in morocco!
What is frustrating is the local welfare officer called me, then made out it is my issue. She left a voice mail saying the children are living in "unacceptable condition". I played ball until I posted on here and read the advice and looked a bit more at the evidence. She then went on to say she will advise them of their legal rights if I dont do anything about it and also I will be in breach of local environment health laws. She said I am responsible as I provided the furniture and the mattress in the master bedroom looked old.
Considering there were no reported issues for the first 4 months, I can only say it was not an issue with the flat when they moved in.
So frustrating.
CoinSl0t said:
Care workers/health workers/social workers will always blame the landlord. Each local authority has their own spin on who's responsibility it is, but in general a landlord is responsible for rodents, but fleas/ticks/mites/bed bugs etc are the tenant's responsibility.
Where the council will get involved is for instance if Flat A pass the bugs onto Flat B, that's why I always book the treatment and know that the issue is dealt with. You will also have proof of the treatment if the tenant goes to environmental health.
My local authority have a pest control department who do a good job, I pay £60 for a flea treatment (2x visits) and £120 for bed bugs (2x visits)
Wait until the care worker gets on the phone about how damp and mould is having an impact on their client's health.
I agree with your points.Where the council will get involved is for instance if Flat A pass the bugs onto Flat B, that's why I always book the treatment and know that the issue is dealt with. You will also have proof of the treatment if the tenant goes to environmental health.
My local authority have a pest control department who do a good job, I pay £60 for a flea treatment (2x visits) and £120 for bed bugs (2x visits)
Wait until the care worker gets on the phone about how damp and mould is having an impact on their client's health.
I checked with the local council, Barnet, and they charge £230 for the treatment. A private company I contacted charge £240 and seem to offer a better service.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff