Are we the tentants or the landlord responsible for pest contorl of bed bugs?

April 26, 2010


We have never had a problem with bed bugs before. We have lived at this house for about 3 months when discovered bed bugs in the master bedroom. Are we responsible for paying pest control or is the landlord?
I live in texas and was wondering the state law on who pays for pest control of bed bugs, the tentant or the landlord?

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{ 5 comments }

Wildcat April 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm

Pest control is typically covered in your lease. It should say who needs to pay for it. If it is silent on the issue then it defaults to state law. This is true for most issues.

This website looks like it covers the basics: http://www.rentlaw.com/texaslandlordtenantlaw.htm

tro April 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm

unfortunately the bed bugs probably came with you
recently I have seen ads on tv telling you not to unpack your suitcase on a motel bed and other things you should do to prevent the additional travel companions that you take home with you

Ryan M April 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm

What does it say in your lease about what expenses are covered by the landlord?

chatsplas April 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm

dlifficult to say
READ your lease, carefully
LL certainly didn’t introduce Bedbugs although it is to their advantage to get rid of them BEFORE they spread to other units in his building.
Generally such pests are introduced by tenants.
LL should take steps to control this infestation ASAP, but may bill you for it, IF there have been none previously in building.
GET rid of them ASAP, no matter who pays, because once they get a toehold, they’re extremely difficult to eradicate.

Pouya April 26, 2010 at 4:43 pm

If it wasn’t there when you first moved in, it’s not the landlord’s fault.
Pest control isn’t that expensive. It’s best to just get it off your back as soon as possible.

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