FOR REAL!
Just last week, a Maryland jury awarded a tenant $800,000 after her new landlord moved her into his bedbug-infested property. County records showed that the landlord knew of the bedbug and mouse infestation, and attempted a home-remedy plan that failed. He did not disclose or remedy the problem before moving a new tenant into his property and even denied any knowledge when she came to him reporting hundreds of painful bites and a rash on her body. In the end, she lost all of her belongings, as everything she owned was infested with the creepy-crawling blood suckers. Ewwww!
Courtesy http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cimex_lectularius2.jpg
There have been cases in the past were tenants were awarded large settlements, however the $800,000 case is the largest one yet, and the courts are sending a message to landlords that this type of neglect will not be tolerated. (I wonder how this applies to houses being sold?)
In reading more about the issue around bedbug infested homes, it can be easy to overlook that you have an infestation (although I'm sure they are in my hair and clothes right now because I can't stop itching and squirming as I write this...) They can hide cleverly in your mattress, furniture cushions, electrical outlets, even in your suitcase or briefcase. Then at night, as you sleep, the mini-vampires feast on you! Follow this link to a great video as it offers some good information on how to detect the nasty critters in your home or rental. Happy itching!!!
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Janell is a member of Rentec Direct, a web-based property management software program designed to help streamline tenant criminal and credit checks and the day-to-day operations of landlords and property managers. You'll find many other useful articles like this on the Rentec Direct Blog.
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