bedbugs (state laws concerning landlords bed bug infestation)

Arizona. What are the Arizona state laws concerning landlords and bed bug infestation?

[sandra]

Overview of Arizona Residential Landlord Tenant Law
Overview of Arizona Residential Landlord/Tenant Law

For information regarding the Landlord Tenant Act please click here. For information regarding the Arizona Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act please click here. You may pick up a copy of the Landlord Tenant Act or the Mobile Home Parks publication from customer service at the following locations: 14 N. 18 Ave in Phoenix or 400 W. Congress 2nd Floor, Room 252 in Tucson.

AZ Residential Landlord & Tenant Act
WARDEX - AZ Residential Landlord & Tenant Act

Landlords vs. Tenants: Who Pays When Bed Bugs Invade? Legislation recently introduced in the New Jersey Legislature as Assembly Bill 3203 would force landlords to shoulder the entire financial burden of combating bed bugs by making them solely responsible for conducting annual inspections, distributing and displaying educational material created by the state, immediately treating reported bed bug infestations, and maintaining a bed bug-free environment throughout the apartment building or complex. Similar bills are under consideration in other states. Source: Landlords vs. Tenants: Who Pays When Bed Bugs Invade? - a knol by Douglas Stern

Buyer Beware: Bed Bugs Can Squash Real Estate Deals

An ancient human scourge has returned to cause panic among home and property owners, home buyers and realtors. Bed bugs have invaded every state in the U.S. and reports of infestations have increased exponentially nationwide over the past few years. In a national survey of pest control companies conducted by noted bed bug authority Michael Potter for Pest Management Professional, Potter found, “A whopping 91% of respondents reported their organizations had encountered bed bug infestations in the past two years. Only 37% said they encountered bed bugs more than 5 years ago.”

Until a few years ago, most pest control companies said it was unusual to receive even one or two calls a year about bed bugs. Since 2004, however, bed bug complaints have grown exponentially with pest control companies nationwide now averaging between 10 and 50 calls a week. In major metropolitan areas, some companies are fielding 100 or more bed bug complaints each week. Some experts are predicting that 2008 will be the Year of the Bed Bug. Cindy Mannes, spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association, said bed bugs have become a serious problem in every state, noting, “There are some who call it the pest of the 21st century.”

Read more:
Buyer Beware: Bed Bugs Can Squash Real Estate Deals


Landlord/Tenant Rights - State and Local Laws

Most states and some jurisdictions have Landlord Tenant Acts specific to the area. These laws vary significantly and state laws will govern the provisions of any lease.

ARIZONA: Security deposits cannot exceed one and a half times the monthly rent. To bring an eviction action, the landlord must first serve a five-day notice to vacate the premises in person, by certified mail, or at the premises. If notice is sent by certified or registered mail, the tenant is assumed to have received the notice on the date the tenant signs for it or five calendar days after it was mailed, which ever occurs first. State law mandates that the trial be held no sooner than three and no later than six business days after the complaint was filed. If the complaint is for non-payment of rent and the landlord accepts payment of all rent due and reasonable late fees identified in the written agreement, attorney fees and court costs, the rental agreement is reinstated and the case will be automatically be dismissed. An eviction order is issued no earlier than the sixth calendar day after judgment if the tenant has not moved out of the rental unit. The order instructs the sheriff or constable to evict the tenant. Lockouts and utility shutoffs by the landlord prior to 24 hours after the issuance of a writ are unlawful. Unlawful lockouts and utility shutoffs may entitle the tenant two months' free rent. Security deposits must be returned within 14 business days from the time the tenant vacates the premises.

More info available at:
Landlord/Tenant Rights: Encyclopedia of Everyday Law


Cockroaches and Bed Bugs
cockroaches and bed bugs


“Bed Bugs” Lawyer Looks to Flip Hamptons Real Estate
“Bed Bugs” Lawyer Looks to Flip Hamptons Real Estate - Law Blog - WSJ


Landlord Tenant Laws - Bed Bugs
Landlord Tenant laws - bed bugs - Landlord / Tenant - Avvo.com

I manager 700 apartments and all the problems with bed bugs are from Indian Residents, 99%, Indians or Pakastani bring them in their luggage, and so do their friends and guest. It is becoming an epidemic...

Maybe US customs shd check for that?

Interesting discussions. However, to address the question asked.

Pest management depends on the type of housing. If a multi-family property, the LL is responsible for pest eradication. If a single family unit, the tenant is responsible. The reasoning for this is clear. In multi-family housing, the pests could come from someone else's unit into yours. So the LL has the responsibility to exterminate. In a single family house, unless they are present when you move in, the pests are yours and your responsibility to exterminate.

Hello,
could you tell please, who pays for bed bugs treatment in California - landlord or tenant.
Thank you beforehand,

Alexandra

Again, this depends on the type of unit. If you rent a single family unit and/or if you did something to cause the infestation, you pay. Things you may have done are: visiting someone whose residence was infested, bringing in 2nd hand or used furniture or toys, bringing a box of used books, bring them home in luggage from a vacation, etc. If you live in a multiple family unit and this wasn't your fault, or if you live in a single family house that had them at move in, the LL pays.