A hot topic that has been presented to our office by a variety of clients is…Bed Bugs! We call them the flea’s hitchhiking cousin.
Legislation AB 551:
Civil Code 1942.5: Amended. Prohibits landlords and property owners from retaliation against a tenant who has given notice of a possible bed bug infestation.
Civil Code 1954.602: Prohibits landlords/property owners from renting, leasing, or even showing a unit that is believed to have bed bugs. This code does not require the landlord or property owner to actively inspect for bed bugs. However, if a bed bug infestation is obvious, this code states that the landlord or property owner then is considered to have knowledge of bed bugs in the rental unit.
Civil Code 1954.603: Requires a bed bug notice to be given to any and all new tenants on or after July 1, 2017 and to all existing tenants by January 1, 2018.
Civil Code 1954.604: Deals with entry into a unit to inspect and/or treat for bed bugs. Landlords and property owners are required to give this notice of intent to enter (Please contact our office if you need the form). Tenants are then required to cooperate with these entry and inspection requests. Tenants must provide any information that is requested by the landlord/property owner in order to facilitate the detection and treatment of bed bugs.
Civil Code 1954.605: When a unit is occupied that has undergone bed bug inspection, this Code requires landlords/property owners to notify tenants within two business days after receiving certified results from a pest control specialist. If the infestation occurs in the common areas, notice must be given to all tenants.