Michigan Bills Define Landlord, Tenant Roles in Eradicating Bed Bugs

Michigan state representatives recently discussed a four-bill package that defines the duties and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in dealing with bedbugs, clarifies that public health departments can order property owners to correct infestations, and directs the state to develop a model policy for bedbug prevention, management and control, Mlive.com reports.

House Bill 5199 specifies that tenants must promptly notify their landlords in writing of any potential bedbug infestations, and landlords must have the units inspected within five business days. If an infestation is found, the landlord must inspect adjoining units and arrange for pest control within seven days. Tenants would have to grant access to their unit and prepare for treatment. The leasing contract would determine who has to pay for the service.

 Landlords also couldn't rent a unit that's known to be infected, and would have to disclose upon request whether a unit or adjoining units had been infested or inspected for infestations in the past 18 months.

http://legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28p5ruvg55iiannu55ppihid45%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2013-HB-5199