Landlords and tenants urged to work together to tackle growing bed bug epidemic

Landlords and tenants urged to work together to tackle growing bed bug epidemic

11:27 AM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago 17

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Landlords need to work “proactively” with tenants to tackle the bed bug crisis, a leading property association has warned.

The National Association of Property Buyers warning comes after reports of some landlords telling tenants to put their duvets in the freezer to deal with the problem.

Data from pest control company Rentokil reveals a 65% increase in bedbug infestations in 2023 compared to last year.

Evidence that the problem is getting worse

Jonathan Rolande, a spokesman for the NAPB, said the law over who is responsible for dealing with bedbugs was a grey area.

He said: “There does appear to be evidence that this problem is getting worse, and landlords and tenants need to work proactively to deal with this.

“Issues with pests can sometimes be something of a grey area when it comes to putting things right – what is the landlord’s responsibility and what is the tenant’s is often a cause of argument.”

He added: “A tenant could be held responsible if they do something that encourages pests. Examples of this could be keeping a pet that has fleas, discarding food waste or not storing rubbish properly.

“Landlords are unlikely to be liable for bed bugs unless it can be proved the infestation was there prior to taking up residence.”

Bed bugs can live for six months without food

Some reports over the weekend suggested some landlords have started to advise tenants of the steps they can take to mitigate an infestation.

Rik Smith, director of tenancy services at Goodlord, issued guidance to tenants worried about bed bugs.

He suggests if you are concerned that you may have brought the bugs into the house, you should ‘put affected clothes and bedding in the freezer for a few hours before washing’.

You should also take steps to ‘wash bedding and clothes on a hot wash (at least 60C) and tumble dry on a hot setting for 30 minutes’.

He says it is important to hoover the house thoroughly and empty the bag – as the bugs may still be alive.

Mr Smith told the Daily Mail: “They are incredibly small – 5 to 7mm long – and it’s easy for them to get into a home without anyone noticing.

“Considering the bugs can live for up to six months without food, one of the most difficult problems people face is the fact they’re so hard to remove – and may only be noticed when there is a full infestation.”

Check insurance policies

The National Association of Property Buyers is urging landlords to check their insurance policies to carry out any work.

Mr Rolande said: “Any issue should be reported to the landlord or their agent. Works can then be carried out to eliminate the issue. This may include such things as fumigation, clearing accumulated rubbish, blocking cracks where vermin could be entering, or laying poison.

“Landlords should check any insurance policy they may have that could cover the cost of sorting it out.

“In blocks of flats, the managing agent may need to be involved and the cost taken from the maintenance fund but this will only be in cases where neither landlord or tenant are at fault.”


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Luke P

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15:31 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

There were no bed bugs when I rented the property. I expect no bed bugs on the return of the property.

Why is this even a landlord issue??

Ben Sleat

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16:10 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Totally agree Luke P.

Sure if I let a property and 2 weeks later the new tenants report bed bugs then it could be argued that the bugs were already there, but if the tenants have been living there for say 2 years before any bugs appear then surely it has nothing to do with the landlord.

Hamish McBloggs

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16:14 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Get the property certified as free of bed bugs by a competent company before letting and have this as part of the inventory.

Hamish McBloggs

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16:27 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Perhaps, and for the avoidance of any suggestion that the competent company is in cahoots with the landlord, make any prospective tenant select and pay for a competent company to certify the property is free of bed bugs.

Ian Narbeth

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18:35 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Hamish McBloggs at 17/10/2023 - 16:27
Hamish, you immediately fall foul of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 if you try to require prospective tenants to do this.

Judith Wordsworth

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18:38 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Not just duvets that need sorting ( need to be commercially frozen for 3 -5 days at -19C).
Need replacement mattress and fumigating the rooms

Hamish McBloggs

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20:39 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Ah yes, I had quite forgotten.

What if the Landlord pays?

Hamish McBloggs

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20:50 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

not thinking straight, long day.
What if the prospective tenant selects and arranges a competent company and both landlord and tenant receive a copy.
The landlord gives the prospective tenant the money to do this?

Yes, might be simpler for the landlord to do it themselves ...

Roberta Goodall

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21:03 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

A few years ago my tenant informed me that they had bed bugs. They had lived there over a year, but said they'd been to E Europe a few weeks previously. I phoned Council who agreed to fumigate, then cancelled as tenant has to do it. Tenant went to CAB who said it was landlord's responsibility and I should get a private company in, and advised to get in touch with First Tier Tribunal. I asked tenant to phone council which she eventually did and flat was fumigated successfully. In the meantime said FTT, which can force landlords to keep properties in good repair had told me that they were sending 3 people from one side of the country to the other to hear why I was refusing to do anything to resolve the problem! I was less than impressed as they had not spoken to either me or tenant. I put them right!Click to Edit – A few years ago my tenant informed me that they had bed bugs. They had lived there over a year, but said they'd been to E Europe a few weeks previously. I phoned Council who agreed to fumigate, then cancelled as tenant has to do it. Tenant went to CAB who said it was landlord's responsibility and I should get a private company in, and advised to get in touch with First Tier Tribunal. I asked tenant to phone council which she eventually did and flat was fumigated successfully. In the meantime said FTT, which can force landlords to keep properties in good repair had told me that they were sending 3 people from one side of the country to the other to hear why I was refusing to do anything to resolve the problem! I was less than impressed as they had not spoken to either me or tenant. I put them right in no uncertain terms!

Jim K

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22:26 PM, 17th October 2023, About A year ago

Hi.A Reply to Luke.
I fully agree with you and see Roberta Goodhall below.
However (and your properties may not be), in HMOs or blocks of flats it is probably better to deal with the issue centrally.

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