If bed bugs have been found in my apartment and my landlord has not had them exterminated in nearly a month shouldI have to pay rent?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If bed bugs have been found in my apartment and my landlord has not had them exterminated in nearly a month shouldI have to pay rent?
I suspected bedbugs might have gotten into my apartment and informed my landlord. They had an inspection done quickly but neglected to schedule a follow up. It has been nearly a month and I haven’t been able to stay thee since. They have been avoiding my phone calls and and won’t return calls either.
Asked on December 2, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You do have legal recourse, but since taking action incorrectly against your landlord could result in you breaching your lease and being evicted, you should consult with an attorney in detail and person before acting. Some of your options are:
1) If you have provided written notice and a reasonable chance to correct the condition, you may be able to pay to have the bedbugs treated yourself, then deduct that cost--but no more--from your rent.
2) You may be entitled to monetary compensation, such as rent reduction (including a retroactive one) for the time you have been afflicted with bedbugs.
3) You could possibly have grounds to terminate your lease and move out.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.