are landlords liable for pest control costs?

larswell

Hi there!
I was wondering if any of you can help me with my situation.

I've been living in this property since oct 2009. We found out 3 weeks ago we have bed bugs. We have been having bites on our body for a very long time (we can't even remember/prove for how long ).
I spoke to the Estate Agency (who is my landlord) and they said that they are not liable for it because the bugs weren't here when we first moved in.

There's a term in my contract that says. 'The T is responsible to pay and arrange for the removal of all vermin, pests and insects, if infestation occurs during the Term as a result of the negligence, misuse or failure of the T, woodworm and woodboring insects expected. Unless it is due to flaws within or around the property.'

I'm not sure if that means I'm liable for it or not.
We (my flatmate and I) are students and cant afford to pay for the treatment and are a bit desperate and don't know what to do. Please help!!!

CloudCuckooLand

You haven't countered the EA's comment that they weren't there when you moved in...so they presumably weren't there.

You don't appear to have dealt with it in the first year. Not acting and not telling anyone, would in itself be "failure of the tenant"...

Who decided they are bed-bugs? If a professional has stated that, they should know the source, cause etc...

Is it your mattress/linen? Is it a furnished or unfurnished property? If the expert says its in the furnishings, get scrubbing/disinfecting.

Elbow grease and some cheap spray from a pound shop would cut it down, and may eliminate it, hopefully.