Here are some steps to take if you’re concerned about being blamed for a bed bug problem:
A bed bug addendum is an addition to the lease. By signing it, you are agreeing that the apartment you are renting is free of bed bugs. You are not required to sign it, but if you did, follow the directions above and take these additional steps:
Failure to comply with your lease may constitute a violation and provide a basis for terminating your lease. Written, dated communication with your landlord is essential to protect your rights.
Your landlord must remedy the bed bug problem if:
Who pays depends on whether the bed bug infestation is considered to be your fault. Your signed bed bug addendum can be used against you to show that the apartment was free of bed bugs when you moved in. If you and your landlord can’t agree about who is at fault, consider sharing the cost of extermination with your landlord.
Your landlord usually has around 7 days from receiving your written notice to deal with the infestation. If the landlord fails to act, you can sue in justice court for a court order forcing your landlord to hire a licensed exterminator, pay you back for expenses, and offset or refund your rent for the time you had to live with bed bugs.
It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for complaining about a condition on the property that affects the health or safety of its occupants, or for contacting a government or nonprofit agency about the problem. If the landlord takes action against you (for example, terminating your lease) within 6 months of your written complaint, the landlord is presumed to have improperly retaliated against you.
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Links
[1] https://texaslawhelp.org/directory/legal-resource/texas-riogrande-legal-aid-austin-office
[2] http://www.bedbugreports.com/city/tx-austin