Bed Bug Lawsuits
Bed bugs have been with around since earlier times. If I may be bold probably before Realtors even existed. Clearly, lawsuits about bed bug infestations are not new either.
What is new, or should I say amazing is that, two recent jury awards emphasized the exposure rental property owners face.
In one the recent lawsuits involved a very large Los Angeles rental complex The hard to fathom result was, that the jury awarded the plaintiffs $3.5 million.
The other case involved a hotel in Rancho Cucamonga, where the jury awarded the plaintiffs $546,000. As you can see this will just increase, since not only are we dealing with short term rentals, but there are new players, and they are the Airbnb’s. Mark my words this is just the beginning of the lawsuits in California. I am confident this trend will spread to the rest of the country. New ways to make a fast dollar.
California law, Civil Code section 1954.600 through 1954.604 provides that a landlord may not show, rent or lease to a prospective tenant any unit that the landlord knows has a current bed bug infestation. Additionally, the law requires that the landlord provide to all tenants by January 1, 2018, a notice containing certain information about bed bugs and the procedure for the tenant to report any infestations.
Now if you are a Landlord and you do not disclose the bedbug infestation, just look at the two recent cases. It might be beneficial to correct the problem and disclose it to potential tenants. Clearly it will save you money and lots of head aches.
Now if you want a Realtor to represent you who will look out and protect your interest, please reach out to me directly.
Here are a couple great links to learn more about bedbugs https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/BedBugGuidance.pdf
and here is the HUD Document
https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/12-05HSGN.PDF
If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly!! If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com. I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations.
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