Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I found our apartment is infested with cimex lectularius (bedbugs) which we believe came from our upstairs neighbor who habitually brings in found furniture from off the street or alleys. We have lived there for just over a year but when we moved in we had purchased a new bed, bedding, boxspring, mattress and couch. Our renter's agreement does not have a specific section on pest control or extermination yet our landlord is trying to force us to pay $1250 (which is more than our rent) to have an exterminator handle this.


Asked on 10/04/10, 11:13 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

All leases in California have a warrently of habitability and quiet enjoy read into them. A bedbug infestation is a violation of that right. If the landlord will not comply woith your demands, you could do it yourself and deduct as to money actually spent up to one month's rent. You probably should first complain to the local health department to prevent the landlord from trying to evilct you. First assume the landlord just does not know the law and tell it to him before you actually do something. He also has to prevent the upstairs tenant from causing the problem again.

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Answered on 10/11/10, 6:47 am


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