Bed bug infestation and Grand Junction CO property management

A recent news that a jury awarded $800,000 in damages to a tenant on account of bed bug infestation has left many involved in Grand Junction CO property management shocked. This news leads us to the question: are landlords to be held liable if their residents file a lawsuit over the presence of bed bugs?

This is a complex legal question the answer to which is determined by the State and local governmental laws. The responsibility of a property owner in this matter varies from state to state, with some states charging zero liability to others giving complete exposure.

Property managers and owners must take all the steps to minimize tenant exposure to bed bugs. Tenants must be educated against bringing in furniture left outdoors.

The lease is an important document that can help provide a bit of clarity in such matters. Most lease agreements mention that a landlord may be responsible for extermination of bugs of different kinds.

Many landlords and property management firms are now adding 'bed bug addendums' to the lease document to protect themselves from liabilities. This includes a clause that states that if bed bugs appear soon after a tenant moves in, he may be liable for paying for the extermination. Such an addendum will help determine the responsibility and potential liabilities of the residents and owners if bed bugs are discovered in the rental units.