My Landlord Says That I’m Responsible for Getting Rid of the Bedbugs in My Apartment. Is that True?
No. That’s not true. Your landlord is responsible for it. For tenants in New York, the right to a bedbug-free environment is included in the city’s housing and maintenance code, Subchapter 2, Article 4, which specifically names bedbugs in the list of insects the landlord is legally obligated to eradicate. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) lists bedbugs as a Class B violation, which means that they are considered hazardous, and that the landlord has 30 days to correct the problem. The landlord must eradicate the infestation and keep the affected units from getting reinfested.
If your landlord refuses to take the necessary steps, you can file a complaint with the city department of Housing Preservation and Development (by calling 311 or filing a complaint online) and/or taking the owner to Housing Court in an HP action; you can also file a complaint with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (if you are a rent-regulated tenant), but this can be time-consuming and may not be as effective in getting relief. As with any problem you have concerning repairs or services, in addition to calling the managing agent or speaking with the superintendent, it’s important to notify the landlord or managing agent of the condition in writing (send by certified mail, return receipt requested, and save a copy of your letter with the receipt), and let the owner and/or manager know what steps you expect them to take.
If you are suffering from a bed bug infestation, there is a way to get compensation for your damages – and your bites. You may need to commence a bed bug lawsuit in order to be properly compensated for your injuries and out of pocket costs. Our New York Bed Bug injury Attorneys at The Law Offices of Effie Soter, P.C. are here to help.
If you’ve been exposed to bed bugs or if you have any questions, our New York Bed Bug Injury Attorneys will discuss your legal rights with you during a free initial consultation. We can also help you through the process of filing a claim, and fight for your right to compensation. Call and speak to one of our New York Bed Bug Injury Attorneys at 646-504-7384 or via our contact page to learn more about your rights so that we can obtain the best outcome for you.