City Ups Penalties for Landlords With Bed Bug Problems

In this file photo, two smitten bed bugs make sweet, sweet love—or, if you prefer, "traumatic insemination."

So far, Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council have appointed a bed bug task force, created a "bed bug czar," and started a “Bed Bug Academy” for building & property managers cursed with an infestation. But despite all these measures, the bed bugs continue to blithely feed on the nectar of our world class blood. Residential bed bug complaints have increased dramatically citywide, even infiltrating the offices of the Manhattan and Brooklyn district attorneys! But today city officials are turning things up a notch, with a hot new website and tough new rules for landlords with bed bug tenants.

Formerly the Department of Housing Preservation and Development was solely responsible for issuing issue violations to landlords over bed bugs, but now the Health Department can send bed bug scofflaw landlords to the city’s Environmental Control Board, which can fine landlords who ignore bed bug complaints. In addition, the city can now issue liens on properties whose owners ignore the fines. And property owners who don't take care of bed bugs could be required to get an exterminator to sign a sworn affidavit confirming the problem is under control.

The new website, unveiled today, is fortifying New Yorkers with the facts they need to make informed decisions about whether they have bed bugs, and their lives are ruined. The site features an audio bed bug primer to help you identify and understand bed bugs, and an informative report pdf about bed bug biology and behavior. “We’re sending the message that we’re taking this seriously,” Council Speaker Christine Quinn tells the Post. “People are very nervous about bedbugs.” Some, of course, are more nervous than others.

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By John Del Signore in News on March 29, 2011 12:13 PM

Comments [rss]

Adrian

We are seeing a a outbreak here in Chicago as well.
Diatomaceous Earth FTW

grumpynewyorker

The City will never get rid of bed bugs as long as it remains legal to sell used mattresses. The sale of used mattresses, also euphemistically called "refurbished" mattresses, just recycles the bugs from one place to another. It's like trying to cure a cholera epidemic while givng people dirty water to drink.

Tony King

This is so unfair to landlords. Say I have a flat in an apartment block and the tenants below me have aproblem and they dont get it treated and my tenant gets infested, why should I pay for it. The city should be supplying exterminators at a reduced cost to help combat the infestation. I am doing pest control in North London and the government here takes thee same view as the city of New York with regards to landlords and bedbug treatment but yet they can cut back on spending on priority services like pest control when they dont have the money