During the school year I mentor students at a local school in the West side of Grand Rapids. This school has a great supportive community behind it – as you can see from the photo I took a few years back.
I recall a conversation with one student whose family was transient – moving quite often and usually under unfortunate conditions. This student recalled to me the time that he and his mom lived in an apartment for a brief time and had to leave because of bed bugs. The emotion on the kid’s face as he recalled the story was evident. It was not a pleasant experience.
Last year a class action case against a Real Estate Owner reached a settlement involving payment of over $2 Million to 100 tenants – ABAJournal reported that story here
One of the primary complaints was that “the 26-unit building had a massive cockroach infestation.”
Infestations can be an issue that every property manager or owner of residential investment real estate may face.
One June 9th Michigan House Bill 4719 was introduced – by Representative Brandt Iden -himself a Developer and Property Manager in South West Michigan. check out the text here – the Bill would amend the Michigan statute governing landlord tenant relationships to include addressing the control of certain pests – including bed bugs.
What the Bill seeks to do:
Impose certain duties on landlords regarding bed bugs:
1. Mandates specifically that the Landlord is to keep the rental space free from bed bugs and provide educational literature about bed bug infestations to new tenants.
2. Prohibits Landlords from renting out space that the landlord knows is infested with bedbugs
3. Provides specific requirements for a landlord to respond to a complaint of bed bugs:
- within 7 days of receiving a complaint, Landlord shall order an inspection for bed bugs;
- within 7 days of confirming infestation, Landlord shall begin control and schedule inspections of adjoining rental units.
4. Limits damages against Landlord for infestations unless caused by Landlord’s Negligence.
Impose certain duties on tenants regarding bed bugs:
1. Tenant shall inspect for bed bugs when first occupying the space;
2. Tenant shall not move “infested property” into a rental unit
3. Tenant shall notify Landlord within 2 days of notice of infestation.
4. Tenant responsible for damages due to bed bugs caused by Tenant, or guest.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Law and Justice.
My thoughts:
Bedbug infestation is a problem. It can cause tenants problems. Unhappy tenants who withhold rent can cause landlord problems that end up in court.
This type of bill could provide clarity to landlords and tenants on their reciprocal duties and rights in such circumstances.
Questions? Comments?
email: Jeshua@dwlawpc.com
Twitter: @JeshuaTLauka
Purpose Driven General Counsel 