Landlord Responsibility for Bed Bugs in Howard County MD

Landlords in Howard County, Maryland are responsible for providing bed bug-free apartments to all tenants at the beginning of the lease. However, many tenants move into new apartments and find bed bugs. Or, having lived in an apartment for a while with no problems, begin to find bed bugs.

When problems with bed bugs in apartments and rentals happen in Howard County, the lawyers at Whitney, LLP may be able to help tenants.

Whitney, LLP’s attorneys for bed bugs specialize in Maryland bed bug cases and have recovered over $13,000,000 for our clients in bed bug claims cases, verdicts and settlements. Consultations are always free.

If you are a renter dealing with bed bugs in Howard County, Whitney, LLP’s bed bug lawyers may be able to help. We provide representation in bed bug infestation cases throughout Howard County, including in Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Highland, Ilchester, Jessup (partly in Anne Arundel County), North Laurel, Savage, and Scaggsville.

We have helped tenants force their landlords to treat infestations, arranged early lease terminations, and recovered compensation for injuries, economic damages, property damage and emotional distress.

Read about and watch WBAL-TV’s report on our $65,000 bed bug settlement in Howard County against Morgan Properties, at the Columbia Pointe Apartments.

What Is Your Case Worth? We offer Legal Consultations and our Clients in bed bug cases pay no out of pocket fees or expenses. Call us at 410 583 8000, or use our Quick Contact Form, to discuss your potential case. Here is our YouTube Channel for our videos on bed bug infestations and legal rights.

Howard County Inspections and Complaints for Bed Bugs

The Howard County Department of Inspections, Licensing and Permits has done a great job in some of our cases in investigating tenant complaints of bed bugs. The Department has been among the best in Maryland for holding landlords responsible for bedbug infestations.

Tenant complaints of negligent landlords not treating for bed bugs or complaints of ineffective treatments in Howard County should be made to them, in addition to contacting Whitney, LLP for a Free Bed Bug Consultation.

Howard County Law on Insects and Bed Bugs in Rentals

Sec. 3.700. Of the Howard County Property Maintenance Code for Rental Housing adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018, with modifications as follows:

SECTION 309 PEST ELIMINATION

309.1 Infestation. Structures shall be kept free from insect, vermin and rodent infestation. Structures in which insect, vermin or rodents are found shall be promptly eliminated by a process approved by the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.

309.2 Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for pest elimination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure.

309.3 Single occupant. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or of a single-tenant nonresidential structure shall be responsible for pest elimination on the premises.

309.4 Multiple occupancy. The owner of a structure containing two or more dwelling units, a multiple occupancy, a rooming house or a nonresidential structure shall be responsible for pest elimination in the public or shared areas of the structure and exterior property. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupant and owner shall be responsible for pest elimination.

309.5 Occupant. The occupant of any structure shall be responsible for the continued rodent and pest-free condition of the structure. Exception: Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure.

Bed Bugs Spread In Apartments

Practically speaking, in an apartment building, bed bug infestation usually spread from one apartment to the next through the walls, floor and ceilings. Bed bugs can easily spread, and negligent landlords often ignore tenants’ complaints, or use ineffective treatments that do not stop the bed bug infestation.

When bed bugs spread to a tenant’s apartment through a landlord’s negligence, tenants have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation against landlords for injuries arising out of a bed bug infestations.

If you were a tenant in Howard County, Maryland and were forced to live with a bed bug infestation, you have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation from the landlord and property owner. Landlords in Howard County can be held responsible for bed bug infestations and for treating infestations.

Whitney, LLP has experience helping tenants in Howard County with bed bug claims against their landlord.

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Daniel W. Whitney, Sr. and Daniel W. Whitney, Jr. of Whitney, LLP

Whitney, LLP’s Lawyers for Bed Bugs in Howard County

If you were moved into a bed bug infested apartment, or your landlord ignores your complaints or their treatments do not work, Whitney, LLP’s lawyers for bed bugs may be able to help.

Compensation for bed bug bites can be recovered for: