Tenant Complaining of Bed Bugs 4 months after moving in

athina_2

Hi, my husband and I let out our house beginning of January. 3 weeks ago, the tenant complained of waking up in bites. She wasn't sure if it was bed bugs as none of the symptoms of blood on sheets were present. She things there are bugs hiding in the furniture.

We lived at the house for 8 years prior and didn't have any problems so we are at a loss as to why 4 months after she moves in there is now a problem.

I've said that I would pay for pest control (£200) but to be honest I don't know if this will solve the problem.

Does anyone have any advice on what steps I can do to help solve the problem?

vegasbaby100

I dont understand how it is your problem surely it is their bed or bedding?

Scutigera Coleoptrata would be a good way of removing them.

braun_2

Is it furnished?

Good timing as it has been very hot for the last few days.

[Deleted User]

I lived in a rental house for well over a year and bed bugs appeared. All the furniture had been in use for a number of years.

We did however have some neighbours move in the house next door (terraced house) two months previously.

We suspect that the bed bugs moved in from next door although we have no proof of this.

I cleared the problem room, vaccuumed everything I could find, carpet, crevices, anything very thoroughly, steamed the carpets, bought a sprayer and bed bug killing solution, used that twice and the bugs have gone. I was told it was almost impossible to remove them, but perhaps we were very lucky. I will be doing the same thing again this week, just to be sure they are gone for good.

I also have bug traps (ebay or amazon) to make sure they are gone placed in all upstairs rooms.

My son's room contained a divan bed, which we had to take to the tip as it was very infested and very difficult to clean properly. Divan beds are now banned in our house.

If you want to be sure there are bed bugs in the house, buy some bug traps, leave for a couple of days and then u'll know for sure which if any rooms are affected.

I have heard of people throwing out infested mattresses and then the bugs can migrate to other houses. I live in Kent and it would have cost me £60 to have had two rooms sprayed, with a return trip required and no guarantee it would eradicate the bugs. I decided it was better to do it myself.

G_M

Legal angle first, then practical.

Since you lived there yourself, without problem, before the tenancy, it seems clear the tenants introduced the bedbugs. This can be easily done - London underground, for example, is a natural migration source for bugs. Or have the tenants recently been on holiday abroad? Could have brought them back? Or even an overnight stay in a UK hotel. Bed bugs are becoming increasingly common.

So, if the tenants introduced them, the tenants are responsible for eradicating them. So you could simply tell the tenants to deal with it (and optionally offer advice on how).

Indeed, by saying you will pay for pest control, you implicitly acknowledge liability, so if the bugs return, or the pest control fails, you will have to continue to take action.

You can mitigate this risk by writing to them to offer to take action as a gesture of goodwill on this occassion, whilst denying any liability, or legal duty to act in the future.

You can ask the council pest control to treat the property. Most councils now charge for this service.

You can employ a commercial pest company.

You can DIY. Google 'bedbugs' to find many providers of 'smoke bombs', sprays etc. Use several different methods, and repeat after a couple of weeks when the next load of eggs have hatched!

http://www.pestcontrolsupplies.co.uk/crawling-insects/bed-bugs?gclid=CLD_7KrGhrcCFRLLtAodEhYAxw

athina_2

Thanks all. The fact we lived there for so many years wirhout issue makes me pretty sure the problem originated from something she has done/been.

I offered 3 weeks ago to pay for pest control, my council charge £200!! However ill pay in this instance as good will and if this doesn't solve the problem then I'll be a bit more firm with her.

That's a really good idea about the sticky traps, I'll suggest that to her and hopefully she will catch something before the council come round so they can see what is biting her.
I'm just worried she's going to come back and ask me to change the entire carpet, bed and furnishings! !!

Better_Days

You do need to find out exactly what the problem is - bed bugs, fleas or something else. As has been suggested ask your tenants to set some traps. Do the tenants keep pets? Or have they recently purchased any second hand clothes, furniture or bedding? Sounds likely that tenants have introduced the problem if you did not have any prior issues.

The insecticide may well be different according to what the problem is.

ILW

Sue the tenants for infesting your house.

Leblanc_2

I believe that a 4 month gap before they appeared would indicate they were not present originally.

As someone has said they were probably introduced by the tenant.

The only exposure we had to bed bugs was in a posh French hotel. After a row with the owners who refused to acknowledge their presence, we left at 1 am in the morning and slept in our car. Since then we have been ultra cautious when checking into a hotel. We always check around the mattress and bedhead etc. Thankfully we have never come into contact with them again......thus far, but we are going on a touring holiday soon!

The problem is that they have evolved to cope with all treatments and are now resistant.

missy12345

Just to let you know, there may be no signs of blood on the sheet, however if she has marks to approve it then there will be. The best way I have treated it doing a thorough clean vacuuming everything, oh also, you can't even see the damn things but they do exist only when you sleep. I never actually saw one, but I use to get lots of marks on my legs.

purt

ILW wrote: »

Sue the tenants for infesting your house.

Good luck proving it.