Bed bug advice issued as warmer weather could increase activity

With cases of bed bugs on the rise, landlords must be prepared to absorb the cost of dealing with an infestation, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has advised.

Bed bug infestations have risen significantly in the UK in recent years, with figures from pest-control company Rentokil showing a 65% increase year-on-year in 2023. According to the British Pest Control Association, bed bugs usually thrive during the warmer months of the year and are more active during these times.

The NRLA has advised that in the event of an infestation, landlords deal with the issue as quickly as possible and avoid using amateur products to control it. Instead, they should arrange for a pest controller to attend the property and then follow their professional advice.

“This will often require several visits of different chemical spraying, in some cases alongside a boiling steam device and most often the mattress will also need to be replaced,” said a spokesperson for the NRLA advice line. “Landlords are reminded they should give their tenants appropriate notice of the pest controller’s visit – the usual 24 hours’ notice is required,” they added.

While each case can be different, the NRLA advises that landlords absorb the costs associated with eradicating bed bugs “as it will be impossible to apportion blame on the tenant in these scenarios”. Bed bugs can be present regardless of the level of cleanliness, and there is no association with a disrepair issue; therefore, a tenant can simply be unlucky in introducing them to a property.

The NRLA spokesperson said: “In some cases, where it could be proven the pest infestation can be attributed to something the tenant did, it may be appropriate to either pass the costs on to the tenant, or to take the money from the deposit, provided an appropriate clause in the tenancy agreement is present.

“It should be noted though that landlords are responsible for providing a home that is fit for human habitation, with the 29 hazards of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System being part of the fitness of the property. Among the hazards under the HHSRS system are domestic hygiene, pests and refuse.”