Bed bugs can be found in a vast number of places. These tiny creatures, which are less than a quarter of an inch in size, may hide anywhere there is clutter or crevices. They are known to be pests, as they typically feed on human blood and other warm-blooded animals; this causes their victim to suffer from itchy skin and welts. If a bed bug infestation occurs in your home, you may be uncertain about how to proceed with treating them. The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) provides detailed information for handling bed bug infestation.Bed bugs are an ongoing problem in New York City. The New York City Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) requires landlords to sign a consent form and distribute it to tenants, disclosing the condition of their apartment and the landlord’s plans to correct problems.

Nyc Bed Bug Disclosure Act

Introduction

In March 2010, the NYC Bed Bug Disclosure Act went into effect. This act was passed in response to the growing bed bug epidemic in New York City and is similar (but not identical) to mold disclosure laws that were already in place. Let’s take a look at the specifics of the law and what it means for landlords and tenants.

In March 2010, the NYC Bed Bug Disclosure Act went into effect.

The act is known as the Bed Bug Disclosure Act, and it requires landlords and sellers to disclose bed bug history. The law does not require landlords to remove the bugs or treat them, nor does it require them to pay for treatment. In fact, there are no penalties for not disclosing a history of bed bugs on your property—but disclosure is still required.

This gave a little more security for prospective buyers and renters, but not as much as many would have liked.

This gave a little more security for prospective buyers and renters, but not as much as many would have liked. The Act required landlords and sellers to disclose bed bug history, but it didn’t require that they remove the bugs first. This left the potential home buyer or renter in a tough spot—if they were concerned about bed bugs in their new place, they had to rely on how honest their landlord or seller was being.

The Act required landlords and sellers to disclose bed bug history, but it didn’t require that they remove the bugs first.

The Act required landlords and sellers to disclose bed bug history, but it didn’t require that they remove the bugs first. In other words, if a landlord knew that there were bed bugs in your apartment and you signed a lease with them anyway, then you could be stuck living with them indefinitely.

The law also did not clearly define what “bed bug infestation” or “evidence of bed bugs” meant. So if you had one small bite mark on your arm (one of their favorite areas), but no other evidence of an infestation or bites anywhere else on your body, then technically under this law your landlord would not have to tell anyone about it—or even warn potential renters!

Conclusion

There’s still a lot of work to be done for New York residents to feel fully protected from bed bugs. In the meantime, you should always make sure that the place you’re moving into—whether it’s a rental or purchase—is up to code on disclosure standards, and that your seller or landlord is following them. If they’re not, then it might be time to contact your local legislator and organize with other affected folks in your area!