What are the Bedbug Laws and Regulations?

Bedbugs, more formally known as cimex lectularius, are a common pest in cities. Thought to be declining, the New Jersey legislature reports that in the mid-2000s, the population of this insect has gone up by a factor of 500. Both New York and New Jersey have bedbug regulations that seek to attack and destroy bedbug infestation.

The Problem

• In urban areas, especially in multi-unit dwellings such as hotels and apartment buildings, bedbugs are a significant problem. They are hard to detect, but bite human victims in the middle of the night, when they feed on human blood. They can be carriers of harmful bacteria and the bite itself can become infected. As a result, New York and New Jersey have passed stringent bedbug laws.

Regulations

• New Jersey passed comprehensive bedbug regulations in 2009. The New Jersey law is similar to laws passed in New York City and other metropolitan areas with high concentrations of apartments. The basic thrust of the regulation is that all citizens are to be educated on bedbugs, how to locate them and what to do. This is to be done through sending out of pamphlets that must be acknowledged by the tenant and landlord alike by sending a post-paid envelope back to the government, saying they have received and understood the information. If the notice has not been sent back, then state assumes that the landlord and tenant have understood the materials and are thus knowledgeable of the law.

Landlords

• Landlords must, under New Jersey and New York law, take remedial action against any bedbug infestation. Tenants can sue if an exterminator holds the landlord responsible for the infestation through his negligence. Landlords must have a regular schedule of inspections by exterminators with all extermination done my licensed professionals. The exterminators then can bill the landlord. If the landlord refuses to pay, the exterminator then sends a petition to the state government in New Jersey where the landlord is then cited and is possibly vulnerable to fines.

Eradication

• In New Jersey and New York, landlords and hotel owners must also take action to stop the causes of bedbug infestation. Holes must be sealed up. Baseboards must be maintained in good order. The same is true for owners of private homes. Bedbug infestations that can be traced to a specific area must be dealt with immediately by professionals at the expense of the owner or landlord.