Harford County is home to around 250,000 residents. A significant portion of those residents are renters. Determining whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for a bed bug infestation in Harford County requires reviewing the Harford County Code, but bed bugs also destroy property, infest and ruin valuable furniture, and can make your home or apartment unlivable.
Is My Landlord Liable for Bed Bug Extermination?
In Harford County, the property owner is responsible for extermination in and outside the structure before renting or leasing the property. If the tenant lives in a single housing unit, the tenant is responsible for exterminating any insects, rodents, or other pests in or on the property. If an infestation occurs in a multi-housing unit structure, the owner of the property is responsible for exterminating the infestation. However, if a tenant fails to take action to prevent the infestation in the unit, the tenant is responsible for extermination.
Harford County Code
The specific Harford County codes dealing with infestation are set forth below. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, and individuals with claims are advised to consult with an attorney to determine whether they are responsible for extermination services.
§162-15 Responsibilities of owners and tenants:
(E) Extermination:
(1) All structures. If necessary, the property owner shall be responsible for extermination within the structure and on the premises before renting or leasing the structure
(2) Single Occupancy. The tenant of a structure containing a single housing unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests in the structure or the premises.
(3) Multiple occupancy. Each property owner or operator of a structure containing two (2) or more housing units shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests in the structure or on the premises, except where infestation within a housing unit is caused by a failure of the tenant to take reasonable action to prevent the infestation within the housing unit.
Harford County Contact Information:
We suggest that you contact the Health Department and Code Enforcement when dealing with a bed bug infestation in a rental property. The phone numbers are provided below:
Harford County Health Department: (410) 838-1500
Harford County Code Enforcement/Housing Inspector: Jack Wilson (410) 638-3045
If you have been exposed to bed bugs, you may be eligible for compensation for injury, damaged property, illness, medical expenses, and lost income. Please contact one of our attorneys to discuss the rights and the responsibilities surrounding bed bug infestation.
To arrange for a free and confidential legal consultation with an experienced bed bug litigation attorney, call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000. We are prepared to handle cases arising throughout Harford County.