Florida Bed Bug Lawyer Grant Schwarz shares interesting facts and surveys about Bed Bug Infestation


According to the National Pest Management and University of Kentucky Bugs Without Borders Survey, 95% of the pest termination companies have encountered a bug infestation in the past year. Problems with Bed Bugs predominantly occur in suburban and urban areas with large populations of people who interact in congested spaces. The occurrence and frequency of Bed Bugs is three times higher in metropolitan areas than in rural areas due to the following factors: apartment living, increased mobility and larger population size, which are advantageous to the fast spread and breeding of Bed Bugs. Bed Bugs like to hitchhike on people and their belongings causing infestation to spread at a rapid pace in urban areas like Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.

Did you know? Fascinating information and facts about Bed Bugs:

Our Florida Bed Bug Attorneys have handled numerous Bed Bug cases against most national motel/hotel chains, apartment complexes and furniture rental companies. We have successfully assisted clients in Bed Bug suits in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Naples, Palm Beach, Orlando and across Florida. Contact a Dell and Schaefer Bed Bug Lawyer to help explain the current law and assist you with your Bed Bug claim.

The information above was compiled by the National Pest Management, United States Environmental Protection Agency and University of Kentucky.



81 comments

Monday, June 3, 2013
Vanessa Ontiveros:

I arrived at Altamonte Springs at a hotel and found 5 bedbugs. I literally can’t sleep and wanted to know what the process is to file. I will be going to the office tomorrow and provide them the collection of bedbugs I captured.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Attorney Greg Dell:

Vanessa,

You only have a claim if the bed bugs have caused harm to you or your property. Please call us and we will answer any of your questions.

Saturday, November 9, 2013
Ann Francis:

I have been dealing with these bed bugs for over two years. Reported to my landlord and only received bed bug spray and have used a steam machine they let me use. I have done all the work on my and two other apts in the building. I and my family have list three new beds ckithing an entire baby nursery set up etc. I have Sec 8 and they are willing to back me up. I live in NY, I realize you are in Florida but thought maybe you could advise or help.

Thanking you in advance.

Sunday, November 10, 2013
Gregory Dell:

Ann,

Please contact us privately and we will do what we can to either assist you or steer you in the right direction.

Thursday, December 26, 2013
Kellie:

Stayed at a wonderful resort outside Disney in the Orlando area and was infested with bedbugs. I reside in GA and have been in contact with the resort which they conformed the activity and have started a “claim” on my behalf. I am considering what my options are for the next month or so. My daughter and I were bitten more than 100 times and the resort is “willing” to pay my medical bills and medicine (after my insurance is billed of course). I would like to know what my options are since I am not a Florida resident? This is just the basic info. I have supporting photos and documented when I spoke to the resort as well as them confirming the “activity” in the room I was in. What are your thoughts please?

Thursday, December 26, 2013
Gregory Dell:

Kellie,

Your state of residency has no bearing on a claim against a hotel for bed bug bites. You should not communicate directly with the insurance company as you could waive your right to compensation. It sounds like you have a strong bed bug claim against the hotel and we would like to discuss it with you as soon as possible. Please contact us privately at 800-828-7583 and we can advise you right away of your options.

Monday, February 24, 2014
Shane:

I just moved into an apartment complex 2 weeks ago. I have never had a bed bug issue in the past. Over the past week I have been bitten more then 100 times. I contacted the front office last Wednesday and they said that they wouldn’t be able to do anything till this upcoming Wednesday. I went to the doctor and was prescribed something to help with the itching but it is unbearable. I live in Orange City, Volusia County, Florida.

I can’t even stay in the apartment it is so bad. It has displaced myself, my pregnant fiancé and my son.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Grant Schwarz:

Shane,

We are sorry to hear about this horrible situation. We have handled cases similar to yours and we would like to discuss it with you. Please call us at 800-828-7583 to discuss.

Sunday, March 2, 2014
Ben:

Do you handle bed bug claims from New Port Richey, FL?

Monday, March 3, 2014
Grant Schwarz:

Ben,

Yes, we handle bed bug claims in New Port Richey, Florida. Call us for a free consultation to go over the facts of your case.

Saturday, March 15, 2014
Debbie:

To whom it may concern,

I lived in an apartment like motel for six months. They do not rent nightly rooms.There is mostly families there. I recently saw a bug in my bed which I thought was a baby cockroach or a gnat. I researched it on the internet and found out it was bed bugs, as I had never seen one before. I notified the office on 2-18 and was told I had to move in two hours. According to the California. Gov site I was a tenant there. They would have had to give me 30 days notice. I told them I was not prepared for this. This was my home. I lived there everyday for six months. It is not like I just checked in to a motel. They said they would refund my rent money. Although, their policy is to not issue refunds. They did not ask if I needed medical attention.They were charging me bed tax for an unsanitary bed. I said I do not want to move, at this time, just give me another room and take care of the problem. They refused. They said I needed to move because they had to quarantine the room. I said you can not quarantine the room, because bugs travel. unless you have some kind of special building structure that I am not aware of.This problem probably occurred because recently they were having ten people a day move out, as I was told by the maid.That spreads the problem to other rooms. I used their linens and vacuum. The maid carries insecticide treatment on her cart that is specically made for bed bugs. The office said that was for preventive treatment. I said why was I never given preventive treatment? They said how do you know you weren’t? I said because I was there each time the maid came. They have in house extermination by maintenance, specifically designed for bed bugs. They would not let me see the manager nor give me corporates number. So, I started sending the manager notes. I kept refusing to move and continued to ask for the matter to be taken care of. I kept asking for the room to be treated for which they kept refusing. For the first two days the only thing they would keep saying is your moving out.They had me staying in inhumane conditions, in an untreated room, that was uninhabitable for three days. I informed them that I was not able to move because of their infestation. I was not going to possibly take their infestation elsewhere. I did not want to move until it was detemined that there was no more bed bugs. Finally, three days later maintenance came and sprayed the room. The people that lived above me told me they exterminated their room, as well. They did not inform them why they were doing that. The office informed me I did not have to move until I wanted to. So, they let me pay the rent again. I informed them that I looked up their reviews and found one that was the exact same situation as mine. It was posted three months prior to me moving in. This is the way they try to cover up their problem by making people move that discover the problem. Maintenance and his wife live there, as do most of the staff. He told me that when he does his extermination for this he puts everything in the dryer to kill it. His wife, the desk clerk, said it may or may not work. She also said that the problem used to be cockroaches and now it’s bed bugs. They have room inspections that I guess do not incorporate the detection of these kinds of problems. I still kept trying to meet with the manager, that also lives on site. I always keep my place clean and clutter free. Also, I always pay my rent in advance. I used their linens and their vacuum. I kept telling them I cannot live with bed bugs. I explained by not taking care of it they were endangering the health and wellbeing of the other families that live there. I said to them there is a baby living next door.They caused me a great deal of emotional distress. I could not eat nor sleep. I was nauseated, woozy and had headaches. My heart was racing. I broke up with my boyfriend, via text. I have had nightmares. They made my life a living nightmare. It makes me fearful to lay on a bed now. I do not know how long it will take me to feel comfortable in my own bed. I do not know if I ever will. It was their duty to warn me and others of their problem before I moved in on August 20th. On 3-1 I informed them that I had seen one dead bud and one that looked like it was going to die. So, I asked them when they were going to treat the room, again? Because, they told me after the first extermination they were going to be in five days later to do it again which they never happened. The front desk manager said he would ask maintenance and let me know. On 3-2 I went to pay the rent a day in advance, as I always do. They said they would not accept it. They said they had me scheduled to move. I said I was not notified of that. They said they were going to call the police. I said that was a good idea because then they would be made aware of the problem and make a report. Also, contact the appropriate heath officials. I waited for the police to come, for hours. Instead of the police coming the office showed up acting very aggitated and said they were there to move me out themselves. They said they were going to do this with or without my permission. I said I am not moving until I get to talk with the police. They said this is not a police matter. They started throwing open my dresser draws. So, I asked a friend to call the police. Then the police came and said that the office was possibly going to make a citizens arrest for trespassing because my rent wasn’t paid. I said that’s because they will not let me pay it. The police said they were not able to arrest me themselves. I said I am not trespassing. I am a registered guest. I have never been arrested in my life. So, I was not going to risk scaring my perfect record. I was not going to go to jail for the first time in my life because they have a bed bug problem. I think it should be the other way around. I like to keep myself and my record clean. So, I said okay I’ll move. I asked the office if I could have a day to move out. I was asking for this so I could take all possible precautionary measures for the move. Such as, laundering and getting everything wrapped tightly in plastic bags, purchasing bed bug insectide, etc. They said yes. But, they said I would have to pay for it. I said I am not giving you one more dime. Because, you are not letting me pay my rent for the sole purpose to try and arrest me for trespassing. And because you knowingly let bed bugs crawl on my body and bite me. Also, I feared for my safety. Because, of the way the office was acting. So, a few minutes later maintenance came and helped me move out. I asked for a police report because of the injury I have sustained on their property from bed bug bites. Also, to state the office was threating to arrest me for trespassing. For which I was not doing. The police denied me a report. They said all they could do is give me an incident number. Does that violate my civil rights? Now, each day I need to use insecticide and have to be exposed to harmful chemicals, because of their doings. An Attorney contacted me and said he was interested in a class action case. They have 700 people that live there and nine other properties.

Regards,
Debbie

Sunday, March 16, 2014
Grant Schwarz:

Debbie,

This sounds absolutely terrible. We have many questions for you about the incident. Please call us at 800-383-7853.

Saturday, March 29, 2014
Tamara:

In Orlando fl I was in a hotel where I was bitten all over my body what can I do about it

Sunday, March 30, 2014
Grant Schwarz:

Tamara,

We would love to help you with your bed bug case, but we need to learn more about the facts surrounding your injuries and the Orlando hotel you stayed at. Call us at 800-383-7853 for a free consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.

Saturday, May 3, 2014
Paul Johnson:

From April 4th to the 11th we stayed at the Sunburst Condominiums in Manasota Key. In the morning of the 11th we discovered a bug on a blanket in the bedroom. We called the management and was told it was not a bed bug but possibly a sand flea. We spent the entire day washing clothes and segregating our laundry in plastic bags so not to bring them home. We left a day early and took every precaution not to bring the bugs. The day after we returned home I broke out with bites. The next night I had respiratory problems and had to go to the doctor the next day. At the same time my wife started breaking out with bites. We call the manager at the condo and was told again they were sand fleas, he had seen them before. Since we were only on the beach twice never sitting we did not believe this. The manager suggested if there were bed bugs we might have brought them with us. His reason was he had been there nine years and had never had a problem. We do not have, nor ever had bed bugs in our home. He agreed to refund the last day of our fee since we had left early, which he did. I finally called the authorities and filed a complaint. They inspected, found bed bugs, and closed the unit.

We live near Lexington Kentucky so responding further to this issue is a problem. We have had several issues and expenses due to this event. The manager’s last response was to call a lawyer. We both have had doctor’s visits, I missed two days work, we have had to buy luggage, and are still concerned that we could have brought bed bugs home. This is in addition to the aggravation of being bitten all over by bed bugs. What should we do?

Sunday, May 4, 2014
Grant Schwarz:

Paul

It appears as though you and your family were taken advantage of by management at the Sunburst Condominiums in Manasota Key. We have many questions for you surrounding your potential claim. Please call us to discuss your case.

Friday, May 30, 2014
Janette Gilbert:

I would like to speak with a lawyer about bed bugs at a hotel.

Sunday, June 1, 2014
Jason Macri:

Janette,

Please contact us privately and we can discuss your claim with you.

Monday, June 9, 2014
Jason:

Out apartment was sold to new landlords in January 2014. It was a four plex with us living on the second floor. We have live here since March 2011. Now in May 2011 the apt. was tented because of a bedbug infestation. Everything was OK on my side.

Now in August 2013 the apt next to me (second floor)was complaining again that they had the bed bugs back. but Told the old owners and nothing was done about it. We still haven’t had signs of having them also did not know at that time nextdoor was having the problem again. Well next door moved because of the bedbugs November 2013.They Moved to the building next door (same property). Now we were told about the infestation by the old tenants and how bad they said it was.

At that time we still did not see anything, but for precaution we went out and bought bedbug covers for our bed and our three boys bed, also caulked all the trim around the adjacent wall to the infested apt. At this time that apt. was not lived in, and the apt complex was sold. The new owners were informed of the problem by us and the old tenant, also the tenants below us started having bedbugs, and we started seeing them in the creases of the bed bug cover in our kids beds. Now at this time the new landlords started remodeling the next door apt. They told us they have not seen any evendence of bed bugs (there was nothing but
walls in there.) Now our kids were starting to get bit. We told the landlord and still nothing was done about it. At this time we started looking for a new place,and the downstair neighbors moved out because of it, also the ones that started the problem moved out too because of the same problem in the new place.(they brought them to the new place) also the tenants in the other bulding also moved out because of bedbugs (but left all there furnatucher) because the landlords refused to do anything about the problem. (because they wanted all of us out because the are turning all the apt. too weekly rentals but had to uphold our lease.)

Now on May 23 2014 I was fired from my job of 4 years because my boss said I brought bedbugs to the job and it would be bad for business because it was a clothing store and a motel…

Now I have no clue what to do, can’t afford to move now because of no job but can’t let my boy continue to get bit. I just had to throw my kids bed away because they were infested with them. now they are sleeping on the floor one because can’t afford three new beds nor would I want to get new beds because they are not doing nothing about the problem and the new beds would just get them again and it would be a waste of money that we don’t have anyway… So if there is anything you could do to help us please let me know because right now we are stuck in a situation that was not our fault or not good for my boys helth. (if child service finds out I am having my kids living in a apt. where they are getting bit or slepping on the floor they will take them from me & I am a single father of three boys and I am all they have and I cant provide a safe place for them to live.)

Please get back to me either way if you can help or not… Thank you so much for at least reading this. Because my landlords don’t lisen to me nor do they care because its not them… Thank you again, Jason Stawarz.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Jason Macri:

Jason,

Please contact us privately to discuss your claim. You should immediately call the State or County Department of Health to inspect the property.

Saturday, July 19, 2014
Tracy Leigh:

I recently stayed at a hotel in Daytona. Where I got bit I have pictures also have bugs where I caught in one of there cups. When I approached owner of situation he screamed at me. Please give me info on what I can do about this problem.

Sunday, July 20, 2014
Jason Macri:

Tracy,

You will only have a claim if you have suffered an injury as a result of the bed bug bites. An injury requires you to seek medical treatment. You may be entitled to additional compensation for any personal belongings that have to replaced due to the bed bugs.

Monday, July 28, 2014
Sully:

I bought a mattress and box spring from buddies home furnishing the first one was ok but to noisy and would wake up my daughter so traded for another and that one was infested with bed bugs. Didn’t notice till about a week or two later that my 11 month old was being attacked. I thought they were Mosquitos but then I found a bug and called them right away to pick up that mattress. Now I called exterminator and gonna cost me 1500$ and I can’t afford that. I’m due in September with my other child and need counseling. Can I sue to get them to pay exterminator?

Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Jason Macri:

Sully,

You can likely get compensation for the exterminator and the pain and suffering of your daughter, plus medical expenses.

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Sherrita Morton:

Hello I purchase a wicker bedroom suite from a company that’s sell recycled furniture. Shortly after we set the furniture we were getting bites and seeing bugs and at the time we didn’t know they were bedbugs. It was confirm by a pest control company that I have bedbugs and I have to throw everything away in 3 bedrooms. How can I hold the company responsible for my loss?

Monday, August 4, 2014
Jason Macri:

Sherrita,

The company that sold you the furniture should be responsible for giving you your money back, and any injuries or bill you suffered. Contact us to discuss further.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Maria:

A physician denied the rash/bites on my son, who is autistic, were bed bugs. He felt it was an allergic reactions that had been scratched. Upon follow up visit, the same physician had no comment when informed bed bug infestation waa confirmed in supported living apartment. Is the physician responsible for the marks and scars left on his skin?

Thursday, October 9, 2014
Jason Macri:

Maria,

The Physician has not liability in this situation.

Saturday, October 18, 2014
Jennifer Collins:

I have been trying to find legal action against a motel in Colorado and everywhere I have tried I’m getting nowhere. I have been bitten by bed bugs and I did bring it to their attention and they looked at me like I was crazy. I’m 54 years old I have some major health problems. I also receive SSDI. I have a allergic reaction to bed bug bites. I was bitten in a motel room, ended up in the emergency room.

I would really like to get some legal help and maybe do something about it and have people be aware of how bad it’s getting in Colorado. If you can, please help me or be able to guide me in the right direction on getting help in Colorado it would be very appreciated ’cause it’s a very horrible experience to go through, especially when you have an allergic reaction to the bites.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Jessica:

Hi, I am currently renting a single family home in south Florida. Recently we discovered bed bugs. I contacted my landlord and they said that it is up to me to get rid of the infestation. They are saying they only cover pest issues the first two months into the lease. I am currently about 6 months into my lease. I have been researching online laws regarding extermination… is the landlord in my case responsible for the extermination cost of the infestation? Or would this fall on me?

Thursday, November 13, 2014
Jason Macri:

Jessica,

This is a very interesting question. The landlord is required to provide you with a place that is fit for habitability. We would argue that a residence with bed bugs should not be occupied. A more important factor is the language in your lease. There will be an issue as to where the bed bugs came from. Is there a problem in just your apartment or the whole building? Did you recently buy furniture that may be infested with bed bugs?

Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Katherine Soto:

I moved in a 2 bedroom apartment in Orlando, FL. Before I moved in any of my belongings I found a bug; didn’t know what it was. I couldn’t report it to the office cause it was closed. So Monday came, I went to the office to claim about the bug, the lady told me she was going to send pest control on Tuesday. Tuesday came, they told me I had bed bugs and was blaming me that I brought it and wanted me to pay $600 for the treatment. I had a huge argument with the manager cause she told me I brought it from the last place I stood at which was my mom’s house. Therefore, I called Massey to inspect my mom’s house they didn’t find anything there. I called corporate, they told me they will pay for the treatment if my mom didn’t have them. So I won the argument they had to pay for the treatments. Meanwhile, the Massey guy came to do the treatment in my apartment today as I speak, November 25, they wanted to double check to make sure I had them cause the chemicals was very strong. They inspected my apartment in front of me and the maintenence guy and didn’t find any bed bugs. He told me he was going to talk to the manager. Later that day the manager called me to come in to the office I came by she told me that the Massey guy was going to come back tomorrow to start the treatments. I told her why if he didn’t find any bed bugs she said that they where hiding. I ask if I can move out and get my money back cause I just recently moved; she said no I can not get my money back and if I do break the lease it will fall on my credit and pay other expenses for breaking it. I don’t want to live here because she said I brought them and proved her that I didn’t and now that the Massey guy told her that I didn’t have any in my apartment she wants to say they are hiding. What can I do? Please, I need help, been stressing. Me and my daughter have been getting bit and I just don’t feel safe even if they treat the apartment. The manager was very rude and has false information.

Thursday, February 26, 2015
Too Ashamed:

I’m too ashamed to include my name publicly; however, I just sent you an email concerning what I’m going through. I live in Alabama. On first glance of your site, I saw Florida and Nationwide; however, it appears that you practice only in Florida. My apologies for my inquiry. I should’ve read on a little more. Do you have any associates in Alabama who can help me?

Friday, February 27, 2015
Grant Schwarz:

Ashamed,

It is not unusual to be embarrassed. We need to learn more about the facts surrounding your claim. Please call us for a confidential free consultation. If one of our lawyers cannot assist you, we will certainly point you in the right direction.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Shawnece:

I just moved into my apartment and prior to when I was signin my lease I signed a document stating that the apartment was inspected and had no bed bugs. Everything I moved into my apartment was new and in packaging except for my couch. Well to my surprise the first night I stayed in my apartment I was attacked by bed bugs. Although my apartment complex was exterminated again, it has become an inconvenience, plus the fact that I’m been sick from the bug bites and have to have all my things dry cleaned and possibly have my things replaced. My question is what option do I have to be reimbursed for my thing and the cleaning I have to do?

Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Austin:

My family of 6 moved into a 1930 estate home and 7 months into our year lease we were getting bit and thought just Mosquitos or something and till we saw one on our bed and moved our bed and kids beds and realized they were everywhere we sprayed and they are everywhere now it is causing major stress in family’s life and we don’t have money to move but we need to move and get rid of everything , we have never seen one before and were told by others that the people before us moved for same reason I don’t know what to do

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Jason Macri:

Austin,

We strongly recommend you put your landlord on notice of the bed bugs in the apartment. Watch this video and call us if you have any additional questions. http://www.bedbuglaw.com/what-should-i-do-if-my-apartment-is-infested-with-bed-bugs-a-bed-bug-attorneys-recommendations/

Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Jimmy:

My started working in January for the choice hotel as the assistance gm and she was not told that the hotel had bedbugs problem. So when she first out it was too late because she had in her head from inspection of rooms so she told her boss’s what happened and they done nothing. So here we are, she had the prime sprayed and they keep coming back in more room and she keep telling her boss’s about them. She was hired in January and now she was fired because of 7 minute that they say she got for not clocking out but we know that they really fired her because of the bedbugs and mold that all over the hotel. What should we do?

Saturday, September 5, 2015
Danie:

I first noticed a problem on 5/28 I notified my leasing office there were bugs coming out my wall and that some substance was attached to my wall and my childs bed. They did nothing about the bugs and placed caulk on the wall and painted over what ever substance there was I immediately through the mattresses and headboards away and bought new ones. Two weeks pass and my kids started to get bit again. I notified the office again they told mr the manager was out and i would have to wait to speak with that person. So i just cleaned my house we were okay and 2 weeks later say thing I went back to the leasing office and they told me I had bed bugs and they would send someone out to inspect this is on July 1. I went on vacation come back on July 15th and the still have not come and inspected by now it has spead to my entire house and it is so bad we no longer could live there we would just go and get fresh cloths shower and go to my moms house..who by the way never got bed bugs although we were at her house everyday july and most of august. JULY 15 im told again they would schedule me for inspection again this doesnt happen. During this time i constantly call and complain but nother happen arpoound August 8 I contact the corporate office Now magically they have a appointment for me on Aug 14 they spray and its like nothing happened so I do a bomb and get a little relief and have my carpet shampooed again were getting bit all day They spray again on the 21 of August as well but still we are getting bit. Ive developed a sensitivity to every thing now. On top of that they cut a whole in my wall that has been there for 2 weeks that they just wil not fix. My vent are molded which I have a open case with the city that they have currently ignored the first notice to fix. And come to find out the assistant manager has bed bugs was exterminated days before me and our buildings are next to each other also the building next to me had someone with bed bugs moved out all information that was concealed. At this point i have thrown out all my funiture be treated twice plus did my own bomb shampooed my carpet and I still have bugs. That you can not see since seeing the bugs in May I have never seen them again. And I think that I have suffered longer cause they keep saying its bed bugs yet never actually did a inspection they told me I had bed bugs cause there was iron on my wall this was in only one room by the way. They told my they were going to evict me if I contiued to complain to the vorporate office and ask how long will it take you to get out. Then told me if I kept on they would make me throw everything in my house away cause they can to that legally
Any guidand into how to futher handle would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday, October 31, 2015
Sylvia:

I brought a couch from a furniture store that had bed bugs.

Sunday, February 14, 2016
shawn:

I moved into an apartment room for rent on 9/21/2015. The bed was already here but the apartment was not very clean but I had to take it for a job I had just been hired in for. It was a last minute hiring situation and had it been under different circumstances I never would have moved in here! But I figured I could get by short term until I saved up the money to move again. Approxiamately 3 months later I started to see small insects crawling on the walls and noticed my scalp had several scabs on it? I have heard of bed bugs but never dealt with them until now. I notified my roommate/landlord because she is the person that put the ad on Craigslist renting out the room and she has done nothing to help me eliminate them. I asked her to notify the apartment complex so I could get the room exterminated and she refused? I don’t believe I am even on the rental agreement with the complex and that is part of the problem it seems? I do have receipts and I have been here for some time now. Instead of doing the right thing and helping me she decided to move out and force me to move out too? I do not want to take these things with me and I have spent over $300 trying to eliminate them myself and have only managed to thin them out. This has been going on for around 6 weeks and I can’t sleep normally and everyday I feel as if I am being eaten alive?! I do not know what to do so I am calling the police today so I can show record of this disaster with a police report. The money I am spending I could be saving for a new place but not when I have to deal with a bed bug infestation. Please advise…

Saturday, March 12, 2016
Patty Shemwell:

I have lived in a motel here in ocala, fla for 18 months with no problems until recently. found bed bug bites all over me. even went too the doctor because my right arm got bit up so bad it swelled like a balloon. got meds to take care of that. the hotel refused too move me to another room and instead decided too treat it with me still living in the room. now mind u i also have a lung problem called COPD which treating the room cannot be good for my breathing… they had an exterminator that came too my room and did another treatment. they said it was guaranteed. 3 days later i found them on the bed again. they gave me a new bed before exterminating and like i said….3 days later i am fighting this again. this is causing stress on me. i have also been diagnosed with severe depression over the years and this is just making it worse. please help!!

Sunday, March 20, 2016
Patty Shemwell:

waiting for a response from u

Monday, March 21, 2016
Attorneys Dell & Schaefer:

Patty, please call us to discuss your claim.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Steve W.:

My daughter and granddaughter moved into a duplex 4 months ago and have been fighting bed bugs for the past 6 weeks. The landlord tried to self exterminate, to no avail and then hired a professional who treated the unit twice. Bed bugs seem to have reappeared, exterminator returning to treat again. It appears the bed bugs are infesting the furniture. We followed all of the normal procedures, laundering and high heat on clothing/bedding, coverings on one mattress, disposing of one mattress. The landlord withheld from us prior to signing the lease that the previous tenants had bed bugs. He stated they attempted to exterminate themselves and felt that they had solved the problem. My daughter is on a 6 month lease and he now says that he will not renew her lease and she needs to find other accommodations. My granddaughter is autistic and has a compromised immune system, the chemicals used may pose hazardous to her and we have had to bring them to our house for 2 days following each treatment to ensure her safety. My questions to you are: 1. Does she have a case for constructive eviction? 2. Can she withhold rent to be reimbursed for her furniture and bedding? 3. Can she sue for damages because of his negligence in failing to disclose the infestation prior to her renting the unit? My daughter and granddaughter are living on a shoestring and just don’t have the funds or resources to just pack up and move.

Friday, May 6, 2016
Sheronda:

Hi my name is Sheronda and I live in a hotel and I’ve been here since October of last year and I’ve been complaining to them aboutbed bugs bc it first started when my daughter started to get red marks on her arm so I thought it was nothing at first then it started to get worse. Then one night when I was sleeping I felt something crawling on me then I began to lift the covers and it was a bed bug. Then I killed it and from there on me and my kids been getting bit up and my husband. My sons arm is bit up on both arms and I showed them and tould them about it and nothing is being done about it and they say they gonna spray but never do and I just had a baby on february 16th of this year and this is crazy that me and my family have to suffer. I had to throw away furniture and clothes and something needs to be done because I am tired of it.

Thursday, May 19, 2016
DC:

Apt complex The Grove at Sourh Shore Riverview, Fl. Was out of work due to illness when I first discovered bedbugs. I sprayed and washed everything in hot water. Nothing worked. Now apt mgt says I have to pay $500 for exterminator. I have no guests and don’t know how bedbugs got there. Please advise.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Grant Schwarz:

DC, good evening, without more information it is difficult to evaluate your potential claim. We have attorneys available any time to discuss your case.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Stefanie:

HI,
I AM INQUIRING ABOUT YOUR SERVICES. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO. I HAVE BEEN IN MY APARTMENT FOR FOUR MONTHS. MY LANDLORD HAS NOT KEPT UP HIS CONTRACT (LEASE) ON REPAIRING FIXTURES. THERE IS LEAKAGE FROM THE REFRIGERATOR, BATHROOM SINK IS NOT ATTACH TO BATHROOM COUNTER, CARPET IS STAINED AND WORN OUT, WATER STAINS ON THE CEILING AND NOW WE HAVE FOUND BEDBUGS IN BOTH BEDROOMS AND SMALL BITES ON OUR SKIN. I HAVE ASKED MY LANDLORD SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX THESE ISSUES AND TO TREAT THE BEDBUGS, HE REFUSES TO BUT WANTS TO CONTINUE COLLECTING HIS $865 MONTHLY IN RENT WHICH I HAVE PAID HIM. MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE STAYING IN A HOTEL SO THE APARTMENT CAN BE FUMIGATED WHICH I HAVE PAID FOR. IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE SPENT 650 ON A HOTEL AND 600 FOR PEST CONTROL SO MY DAUGHTER AND I CAN HAVE A PLACE CALLED HOME. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO RESEARCH TO FIND OUT MY RIGHTS AS A TENANT AND HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE STATUE 83.51. MY QUESTION IS DO I HAVE RIGHTS IN REGARDING THIS STATUE AND WHAT THE LANDLORD IS TO DO? PLEASE PLEASE HELP..

Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Lucy:

We arrived back to the UK from a holiday in Orlando last Friday, we had to switch rooms while there as my boyfriend was eaten alive half way through the 2 weeks by bed bugs.

Since we have been home I have now started seeing bites appear, and have since found a bed bug in my bed so they have clearly hitch hiked a lift to my home!! I have had to pay £600 to have my house treated, throw away several expensive items for fear of infestation and take a morning off work to allow the exterminator access! Not to mention 3 calls that I have made to the hotel at a cost of over £5 per call so far. I am extremely traumatised and just hope to god that these bugs are now all gone, but haven’t slept for 2 night since finding one as am just too worried.

I have contacted the hotel several times,by phone and email but they dont seem to be taking it seriously and seem to just be using delay tactics in the hope that I give up. I simply want my money back as it’s not something I can afford and have had to put in on my cc! Can you help?

Friday, July 29, 2016
Grant Schwarz:

Stefanie, if your bed bug infestation existed before you moved in and the landlord failed to disclose it to you, you could have a potential claim. For a consultation, please call the office.

Friday, July 29, 2016
Grant Schwarz:

Lucy, based on the information provided, it sounds like you have a good potential claim against the Orlando Hotel. Please contact the office so we can schedule a consultation. Make sure you have kept photos of the bugs, your injuries and a list of any property discarded or damaged.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Sabrina H.:

I have a huge problem I need help with please. My daughter moved into an apartment already infested with bed bugs. At first they claimed no responsibility but after presenting proof of prior infestation they sprayed today. Evidence provided was photos of painted over bugs on walls and a/c vents. After spraying today the smell is so strong they are getting sick. All thier stuffed bagged and they have been advised to leave it bagged for all 3 weekly treatments! They offered no help with expenses pertaining to staying elsewhere. Actually the manager was upset they bothered her and told them they need to respect her time she’s busy. They reported it last week. They have been there only 2 weeks. She just today did something. So they are suppose to live with their stuff bagged for weeks? What can we do? This is awful! I can’t believe they are treating them this way. I can understand if they brought them but it has been proven this is in no way thier fault. Help!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Grant Schwarz:

Sabrina, based on the information you have provided, it sounds like the bed bug infestation existed long before your daughter moved into the apartment. To further discuss this potential claim against the landlord and anyone else potentially responsible, please contact our office at your earliest convenience. Time is always of the essence when it comes to gathering evidence and presenting a viable claim. I look forward to your call.

Thursday, October 13, 2016
DEE C.:

My brother and I share an apartment infested with bedbugs in Port Richey. I have bites all over me. I see them on his face, too, and he complains of bites. It’s hard to hold on and not just go crazy. I cry a lot now. The other night, my brother flipped out, trying to pull down the pantry. Then he repeatedly banged his head on the living room wall, until his head broke the wall. I was screaming for him to stop. It was as if we were 6 and 7 years old again. When he cried, I would get so upset and cry with him. It was a traumatic response.

I’m 57 and he’s 56 and disabled. Neither of us can lift heavy things. We have tried to get everything out of the apartment for the exterminator to come tomorrow. We threw away all furniture this summer except my bed and the table and chairs in the kitchen. He hasn’t slept on a bed in months, and has back and knee pain. There’s no money to replace any of it.

The bedbugs have been in the complex for over a year, but they hit our building this summer after we had renewed the lease. The manager is charging anyone with bedbugs $350 to have the apartment treated. Yet she never pursued eradication of the bedbugs.

Instead, she nagged us in Feb. to sign the lease to renew when ours didn’t end until June. It turns out that the addendum she had us sign with the lease was for bedbugs. It states that we are responsible for paying for the exterminator. That’s why she was so anxious for us to renew, to get that signed before they spread.

The law says the rent should be abated, except when an agreement in writing exists. I don’t know what to do. The situation is disgusting. It’s demoralizing and horribly embarrassing. I feel sick inside and as if I’m filthy. The manager has this power over us, and I feel helpless to stop it. Can she force us to pay? Can I legally hold back rent? Can we break our lease?

Friday, October 14, 2016
Grant Schwarz:

Dee, it sounds like you are experiencing a lot of issues in your current home. You are probably not the only one dealing with these issues. Have you spoken to any of your neighbors? What is anyone else in the apartment building doing about the bugs? Do you have confirmation that these are bed bugs in the apartment? I have many other questions to ask regarding your current issue that would be best suited with a telephone consultation. Please feel free to contact us any time to discuss your potential case.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Katherine S.:

When I moved into my apartment November 1,2017 the first night I found a bed bug crawling in my daughters room on the carpet. I took a picture of it and sent it to one of the employees that helped me get the apartment, she said it wasn’t a bed bug and I told her that it looked exactly like one and she said ok to bring it to the office in the morning so we can check it out , so before I went to the office I received a text from her saying not to come in because the management company was there and It wasn’t a good look for them , I went anyway , when I get there I tell the property manager what’s going on and she says that it could have just been us and I tell her that we’ve never had a bed bug problem and then I show her my daughters bite marks and she says there’s nothing that they can do until they inspect the apartment , so I walked back to my apartment and my spouse started checking the babies room and he found the bed bugs in her closet on the roof I then proceeded to take pictures and I went back to the office and showed the property manager the pictures and she said she didn’t know this was happening because the previous renters of that apartment never reported anything to them , so then she wanted to check out the bed bugs and I took her to my apartment and when she saw the bed bugs on the roof in my daughters room she confirmed that it was they’re fault and that they hadn’t noticed because they didn’t check the closet , that’s negligence on they’re part , so then the property manager scheduled a pest control guy to come to exterminate 2 days later , when the exterminator guy came in he told us he couldn’t exterminate because we hadn’t picked up our belongings , he then informed us that the office should have given up a paper on instructions what to pack so the exterminator can do his job , so I then proceeded to walk to the office and I asked the property manager why didn’t she give me the paper that I also had to sign for the exterminator and she got really upset , when I went back to my apartment the exterminator was helping my spouse move our belongings which they are not supposed to do but he kindly helped us out and then started to fumigate while my spouse was in the house , we ended up throwing the babies playpen , some clothes and toys because the exterminator sprayed everything this could have been avoided if I would have been received the paper to begin with , the apartment complex handled the situation with no care , they didn’t have any compassion about the situation we were put in and how uncomfortable we felt in the apartment , they didn’t even offer us a free month or anything to help us feel better.

Friday, April 7, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Katherine, apartment claims are very common, especially in Florida. If you or your family members were injured, you should contact our office an discuss the facts of your case. We are available any time to discuss your issues and help in any way we can. When it comes to infested apartments, it is important to note that it might not just be your unit that is affected. Speak to your neighbors and find out whether anyone else has had an issue recently. If so, then the problem will continue to persist and cause even further harm to you and your family.

Saturday, April 15, 2017
Dee:

Our family have been staying at a resort in Orlando Florida and have been bit by bed bugs, it was confirmend. We also went to the emergency. We are Canadian and not sure of anyone can help us with this matter.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Dee, please call our office for a free case evaluation. Orlando is an area with a lot of bed bug activity. Your country of origin will have little to do with whether the resort is liable for your injuries. Please call us today.

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Jean:

I am up for lease renewal in Daytona Beach, FL. It’s a 14 unit apartment building. My landlord has in the lease that any bed bug infestation will be paid 50% by him and 50% by me. Is that legal to add to a lease in this area?

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Jean, leases can be terminated or modified to include additional terms or increased rent prices. A lease is a contract and just about everything is negotiable. Nothing seems immediately wrong with what you’re describing.

Sunday, June 4, 2017
Lizajanie:

I own a duplex. Both sides of units were renovated inside and out. Building was worked on by myself for over a year. I was there every day and night for over a year and never saw any bugs and was never bit. We moved tenants into both units. The units were brand new with no pests of any kind. Lease does not include pest treatments, but as a courtesy we would spray the outside quarterly while we were there taking care of lawn. After 5 1/2 months of lease one tenant informs me he has bugs in his unit. I told him that pest control was his responsibiloty. He tells me he would turn up heat to get rid of them. Do not hear anything again for a few weeks, then he message me to tell me that his unit is infested. This unit had no bugs until he moved in. Other unit has no problems with bugs. He must have brought the bed bugs into this brand new unit. Pest control is not on the lease, but trying to help them out we brought them some bug bombs. A few days later he tells me he can no longer live with the bugs and he would be moving out at the end of the month. There is no early termination clause in his lease. We are now in the process of looking into this bug situation with exterminator. Besides breaking lease 5 months early, tenant smoked inside of our new unit, when smoking was not allowed per lease. Brand new blinds have been broken and have been taped. From what I have read as a landlord of a duplex, i was not required to exterminate for the bugs that he brought them into the unit. Tenant that has moved out is demanding his deposit right away. I have advised him we are in the process of assessing damages to unit and cost to exterminate unit to make sure any and all bugs are gone. Tenant now says that he got rid of bugs and they have been gone for weeks, so we dont need to exterminate. I am out the 5 months rent from him leaving unit early. I have to rid unit of smoke smell, I have to exterminate unit and find new tenant. I dont feel I owe him his deposit, because of the expenses I have to e cure, but trying to be fair ,but not sure what to do.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Lizajanie, thank you for contacting our office for a case evaluation regarding your issue. Generally, the terms of the lease dictate the tenant vs. landlord responsibilities as it relates to upkeep of the property. I highly suggest you consult with a real estate attorney who focuses on landlord tenant law in your jurisdiction for advice regarding your particular circumstances.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Melissa B:

I recently started getting bites and found what we think are bed bugs. I called the office at the complex I live in. They scheduled Terminex to come out and spray. We were told that we were responsible to pay the 600.00. 4 Apts that I know know of were sprayed. I just want to know if I’m responsible for the 600.00. I don’t pay for regular pest control, why should I pay for bed bugs.

Thursday, June 22, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Melissa, apartment bed bug infestation claims can be frustrating and expensive. Your claim can depend on the agreement you have with the apartment complex, the total number of infested units, how long the infestations have gone on for, and what if anything the building owners/managers have done to notify residents and fix the problem. Contact us for a case evaluation.

Thursday, July 13, 2017
Amy R.:

Moved in to a house to rent 3 days ago and on the first night I caught a bug on the floor. I put it aside on white paper and contacted the Rental Company right away. Two days later they sent out pest control to assess the situation. They checked all my bedding and it was clean and clear. Ultimately he said the bed bugs were here before we got here. He also said to me, “You moved in to a nightmare.”

The company then took actual responsibility to do the method of spraying chemicals and to pay for it. However, they want us to either pay someone to clean our items, move and bag/wash all our items. I expressed to them that I am physically not able to lift carry items per my doctor and financially I don’t have funds to pay to do that. I just moved in and gave them 3,000 and paid movers to move my belongings in. Why am I responsible for this if they have taken fault.

I was told if I don’t do this then they will not treat the house. I expressed concern and said you are ok with me and my pets living with bed bugs and the response was yes. This has to be some type of negligance and I reread my lease. It talks about bugs but not anything with if items need to moved/cleaned I would be resposible. Please advise.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Attorney Jason Macri:

Dear Amy,

It goes without saying that it is very troubling to hear this. Did the landlord or the pest control professional tell you the bugs were there before you moved in? How does he know? What is the extent of the infestation? How many rooms are affected? This is all important information that we need to know in order to best evaluate your claim. Have you been injured as a result of the bed bugs? What city and state is this happening in? Please contact us today to discuss your potential claim. Thank you.

Monday, July 31, 2017
Chris B.:

Grant,

So it looks like we were victims of bed bugs while staying at a vacation home rental in the Orlando area. During our stay we documented how the property was not properly inspected prior to our arrival. Numerous little, but obvious things were missed. On the 2nd to last day 1 of our kids starting showing bites, upon leaving the bites got worse and doubled and the tripled in quantity. A 2nd child started to show signs of bites as well upon leaving. I am currently in process of informing the property management as this just occurred on Saturday this week. Is a rental home still subject to the same laws as a hotel and such?

Thursday, August 3, 2017
Grant Schwarz:

Christopher,

Orlando vacation rental bed bug injury claims occur every single week. Vacation rental homes are governed by similar rules as hotels and motels. Owners still owe a duty of care to their guests to provide a safe and clean environment for human occupancy. We get calls all the time about your exact same situation. The best thing to do would be to call us and discuss your case with our staff. We would need to see pictures of your injuries as well as any of the bugs you may have seen. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can begin evaluating your potential claim against the Orlando vacation rental.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Nate:

In January the guy below me told me he reported to the complex being sold a mattress with bed-bugs. He said his unit was treated and that was the last we heard of it. Last month my girlfriend wakes to notice a small milky translucent bug on her pillow and that her “mosquito” bites from yesterday have somehow multiplied and spread. I remember the guy downstairs and begin googling and searching for bed-bugs. Everything seemed fairly normal, we noticed black spots around one specific socket but no more bugs. A week later pest control comes to our unit for an inspection because the guy downstairs is now beyond infested. Pest control searches around and deems that their is no bed-bugs in our unit. My girlfriend tells him about the bug we saw but he fervently denies any existence in our unit, so she digs in the trashcan to find the one we had killed previously. He confirms it is a bed-bug and states he will report to the complex. We hadn’t heard anything until this past weekend when we went into the office to ask when we would be taken care of. This is obviously not our fault and the complex has agreed that they will send someone to spray with no expense to us. My problem is that in order to not be cited as a “potential cause of re-infestation” we have to pay out of pocket for industrial laundering of all garment and fabric in our apartment, plus specialty supplies (mattress heat coverings, etc..). How is this fair and legal? Those two items alone are amazingly expensive on the scale their asking, but otherwise they say im liable.

Friday, September 22, 2017
millie:

Hi I am currently staying at a hotel/efficiency which I pay weekly until I am able to get a place. I noticed each day I became more and more itchy and have quarter size red blotches on my legs and arms. My 19 month old also and last night I realized he is getting it in his face and I’m about to take him to the e.r. We are currently sleeping on a bare floor because we removed the bed out of our room because it was infested with bed bugs. there was over 100 plus eggs. I have pictures and an actual video showing them move around (gross). I did let the office know that 1-about the bugs. 2-about the bed and all she stated was that if I want to take out bed from room that’s fine. 3-no other bed bought to my room. 4-they have not come up to check my room or even spray anything.

Sunday, June 10, 2018
Amber:

My husband and I are staying at the Vangaurd Hotel on Ridgewood in Ormond Beach and we have been here for almost 2 weeks on Wedensday. Last weekend my husband ended up in the ER with a huge abscess on his leg and has been out of work for over a week due to an infection of either a bite or something from work we do not know.

Now to the big major part I am contacting you.

There are bed bugs and cockroaches EVERYWHERE here. We haven’t been able to actually sleep due to nightmares and waking up in cold sweat swearing bed bugs were on us since last week a couple of fellow workers of my husband stayed in another room here and showed us their bed bug and cockroach infested room. At that point we had only see over a 100 cockroaches everywhere but only bed bug corpses not a live one and we cross our fingers there wernt any live ones. How wrong we were. Saturday morning (not yesterday but last Saturday) I couldn’t sleep and I was sitting up watching my husband sleep and was picking bed bugs off of him and killing them in the toliet trying to keep myself together and not totally freaking out!!!!!! After the er drained the abscess on my husband’s leg he was put on bed rest and told absolutely not to walk on his leg for at least 3 days…bed rest on a bed bug breed ground.

As soon as we got home I was already late for work getting my hubby back from the hospital and geyting him setteled and ok before i left for work. I picked up my work clothes and instantly saw 2 bed bugs running back in to the pant legs. i had no choice but to double bag them, seal the bag in a 5 gal bucket and throw away and wrote do not open bed bugs. I ended up having to wear my back up work clothes from a previous job that I kept at work. Today I finally moved the microwave to another plug so I could use the microwave to cook some food without shorting the ac, tv, fridge, light and microwave out and I saw 5 dead HUGE bed bugs underneath it. Now we can’t eat because we both are too upset. That was it we both are starting to freak out now. We went to try to take a shower to try to scrub the disgust and the crawling feeling off our skin and to our ultimate horror I moved the curtain back and 4 live bed bugs fell into the shower and on the shower ledge I freaked and grabbed the cleaner and drowned them. We been taking pictures all day and sitting in plastic bags trying to watch movies to keep our minds off the bed bugs. We need help. We are about to loose everything we own and our sanity due to the bed bugs and cockroaches and the horrors of staying here. We pay $275 a week and have paid a total of $550 for these past 2 weeks. We have literally no where else to go till my husband gets paid on Wednesday but it’s gonna be a super small check of only 3 days cuz of the infection of his leg and I get paid this coming Friday. Please if you can help us that would be amazing if you can’t any referrals or anything is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read our horrible situation.

Monday, June 11, 2018
Grant Schwarz:

Amber, this sounds like a terrible situation your family has had to suffer through. We are available any time to discuss your bed bug claim in Ormond Beach, Florida. We would need to see photos of your injuries and of the bugs you have identified. Once we review everything, we can provide an in depth case evaluation. We look forward to your call. Thank you for contacting us.

Sunday, August 19, 2018
Jennifer:

Daughter moved into off campus student housing on Friday morning. This morning she called me and said she had bites all over her body. When she checked the mattress is full of bed bug eggs and she had a live one on her. I am not able to reach anyone from the main office other than the maintenance man who is being told to use a fog machine and vacuum the room and call it a day. There are 3 other students that live in the room with her as well. She is now at a laundry place cleaning all of her items. I have no choice but to put her up in a hotel for the night. We are from NJ so she is there alone. My daughter has many health issues and does not need this. I am floored at the fact that management does not have a process in place for this.

Monday, August 20, 2018
Grant Schwarz:

Jennifer, please contact our office directly to discuss your daughters issue. Tell her to take pictures of the bugs and of her injuries so we can review them and evaluate her claim. Is the off campus student housing provided by the school, or is this a rental from a private company? What city and state is this happening in? Please provide this requested information so we can better understand the situation and evaluate how we can help.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Leonard L.:

HI. I live in a assisted living facility in Jensen Beach FL. My wife and I have been here almost a year. The assisted living place is only 2 years old. My wife said she felt bugs biting her so I looked around and found some small bugs. I called maintance and they said it looked like bed bugs. They took us out of our room,put us in another room for 3 days while they boomed our room.I pay $5,664.00 a month for room rent, now they want me to pay 2,000.00 more to boom some extra rooms near me. Is anyone out there that could help us? Thank you, Leonard L.

Thursday, September 20, 2018
Grant Schwarz:

Leonard, assisted care facilities are responsible to take care of their residents. Facilities are required to provide a safe and habitable place to live, free of bed bug infestations. Please contact us to discuss your potential claim so we can learn more about your specific situation and how we may be able to help you.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Suzanne D.:

Does a Seller of a property have to disclose a recent bed bug infestation in Florida?

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Buggin Out:

I am not pursuing anything – yet anyway. My situation is a little different. I lived in a very large apartment complex for 10 months before we noticed a bug that turned out to be a bed bug. (I had seen bites on my arms here and there for about a month before that, but I thought they were sand gnats which I have always gotten welts from.) Once we figured out the bug was a bed bug, I immediately contacted the office. And the nightmare began.

In our lease, there is a BED BUG ADDENDUM – which I had signed with no problem. I followed ALL of the rules in this addendum and complied 110% with the treatment. I am very easily freaked out by bugs, to the extreme! The thought of bugs sucking my blood while I sleep was unbearable! With only two months left on the lease, we moved out, but we did not terminate the lease. I left everything there with the fear of bringing bugs to our new home, even though the exterminator said all was good and the bugs had been confined to one room. I continued to pay the rent for the next two months in order to keep my credit/rental history in good shape, and before turning in keys I disposed/removed everything and cleaned the unit.

NOW – AFTER I FULFILLED THE LEASE – I am getting an email of itemized charges (see below)

Please see your move-out statement regarding the balance due of $1248.78.

Listed below is the break down for your charges:

$55.10
Final water and Sewer 9/01-10/17

$500.00 Treatment of bedbugs

$693.68 Carpet replacement due to bedbugs, total due on carpet replacement is
$924.90, charging prorated life remaining of $693.68 (3 years)

They are giving me 30 days to pay or dispute. I told them I am going to dispute this. They then reminded me I signed a bed bug addendum and included this portion of the addendum:
If Resident or Resident’s family members, occupants, social guests, or invitees are responsible for causing or introducing bed bugs into the dwelling, Resident shall be in default of the lease, subject to eviction, and shall be liable for all rent, damages, cleaning and pest control fees, and other charges related to dealing with the bed bug issue, and Resident shall pay all reasonable costs of cleaning and pest control treatment Management incurs to remedy the bed bug infestation situation. If Management must move other residents out of their dwellings in order to treat adjoining or neighboring dwellings, then Resident shall be liable for payment of any lost rental income and other expenses incurred by Management to relocate the other residents and perform pest control treatment to eradicate an infestation in other dwellings.”

Is this addendum even legal? If so, how am I solely responsible? Now I see why people choose to try to treat the problem themselves, which leads to infestation as the bugs don’t die, they just run to another unit. I lived in a unit with people above and below me, as well as on each side of me. I have done a lot of research and read that they can travel between units, and the exterminator himself even told us they can live dormant for up to 16 months without coming out of their hiding place to feed.

I thought about offering to pay for HALF, since there is no way to know where the bugs came from. But should I even offer that? And if I continue the dispute, will they retaliate and try to charge me for other things? None of this seems legal.

Since this whole incident back in July, I am obsessed with bed bugs. I am constantly showering, itching, thinking things are crawling on me, changing/washing bedding, vacuuming, inspecting the contents of the vacuum container, picking up anything resembling a bug and magnifying/inspecting it and, still, cannot sleep through the night without turning on the light and picking up the mattress/pillows and sheets to inspect. It has been a nightmare, one in which I still live. My family wants me to see a psychiatrist it is so bad, but since moving out of state I do not currently have insurance.

Well, them sending me this email has made things even worse. What are my rights? Or do I even have any after signing that stupid addendum? My first reaction was to BLAST them on every social media outlet, Yelp, Google Reviews, etc. to steer people away from there, but I have not done anything as of yet.

Sorry for the novel – any advice?

Friday, October 25, 2019
Grant Schwarz:

Buggin,

Bed Bug Addendums are very common in rental properties. They are a way for landlords to limit their liability and costs relating to bed bugs being introduced into the apartment units. The language you cited from the addendum seems very harsh, especially considering we do not know where the bed bugs originated. Have you had your apartment inspected? How bad was the infestation? How many rooms were infested? Was a pest control expert able to determine the source of the bed bugs?

I would definitely not advise you to start “blasting” on social media. People seem to think that talking negatively about a company online will somehow solve their issues and create a positive result. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true in these situations. What you are experiencing is not an uncommon reaction to exposure to bed bugs. I would recommend speaking with your neighbors to find out if anyone else is having the same issue and what their individual results have been with working with the landlord.

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