Click2Daily: Bed bug knowledge for renters, travelers, homeowners

HOUSTON – Couch cushions, seats in movie theaters and on airplanes, despite their name, bed bugs will take up residence just about anywhere.

One Houston man called consumer expert Amy Davis when he found them in his apartment and managers stuck him with the extermination bill.

The Texas Apartment Association has a strong lobby, and in this case, it is holding consumers responsible because when you sign a lease at most apartment complexes you're given a bed bug addendum.

The addendum says that renters may be required to pay all costs of cleaning and pest control treatments for bed bugs, regardless of how they got into the apartment or if the treatment is effective at getting rid of them.

Marc Leblanc had his apartment sprayed on March 14 but found a bed bug on his sofa 15 days after his management company sent exterminators to get rid of the pests, even though he received a $378 bill for the service.

Leblanc then received a $378 bill for the service.

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Posted by KPRC2 Amy Davis on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

"I just don’t see the proof that I should be held responsible when they can’t prove that it was me," he said.

Leblanc has lived at the Eldorado View Apartments for six years, with no problems, until last month.

I was sitting on the sofa right here," he said. "I noticed something moving in the corner of my eye. And I looked down and it was a small, real small, bug about the size of a pinhead."

When it happened a few times, Leblanc said he called the front office. They sent Orkin, which confirmed the small insects were bed bugs.

The apartment manager told Leblanc he must have brought them in.  

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Posted by KPRC2 Amy Davis on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

"She said, 'Well maybe because you drive for Uber, they might have been attached to somebody’s clothing or luggage,' Leblanc said.

The bed bug addendum Leblanc signed along with his lease says that the apartment complex selects the pest control professional and type of treatment, and the tenant "may be required to pay all reasonable costs."

"Basically it's our discretion. And basically there were no bed bugs and now there is," the apartment manager said.

The manager at the complex maintained that even without evidence, Leblanc would have to pay for the pests.

She said the bug that was spotted after treatment was likely just a straggler and that all of the bugs would die within a few more days.

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Posted by KPRC2 Amy Davis on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

"We're very confident that his problem is going to be taken care of," she said

Leblanc made the first of three payments for the treatment on April 1. Nine days later, he found a bed bug on his arm, he said.
   
Davis asked the manager who will cover the cost to retreat Leblanc's apartment.

"Umm, it all depends. You know we are going to have to look at everything. Every individual case is different," she said.

When Davis contacted the corporate office of the apartment complex, a manager told her that the pest control treatments come with a warranty. If LeBlanc's apartment has to be exterminated again, he will not have to pay for another round.
  
When you move into a new apartment or home, before you sign the bed bug form, you need to go into the apartment you will be leasing. Look for bed bugs or signs that bed bugs have been there. When you sign the form, you are agreeing that the apartment had no bed bugs or signs of bed bugs before you moved in. If you get them at a later time, it is assumed that you brought them into the apartment. Ask the landlord if there are any bed bugs or if the previous tenant had any bed bugs.

Follow Amy Davis on Twitter and Facebook for how to check your hotel room for bed bugs and so much more.

 

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite! It's not so cute when your home or apartment is infested. Coming up at 5:45am on KPRC2 / Click2Houston, who is responsible for getting rid of the nasty pests if you Don't own your home?

Posted by KPRC2 Amy Davis on Wednesday, April 12, 2017

About the Author:

Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.