Terminating apartment lease early on account of bedbug infestation?

Question

The lease for my studio apartment expires in mid-January. The place has become infested with bedbugs. (They're not an urban myth, I assure you.) When I brought it to the attention of the super and building management, they attempted to blow me off - the super by simply handing me a can of insecticide, and building management by implying I was the cause of the infestation. I had to get my town's Health Department involved in order to make them get an exterminator. The latter came for a fourth and final time Monday 8/30. I noticed a significant decrease initially, but they're already making a comeback. I'm at my wits' end and have really grown to detest living in these conditions. Are there any legal grounds for getting out of the remaining 4 1/2 months of the lease? Thanks in advance for all knowledgeable and serious answers.

? · Accepted Answer

Bedbugs are more commonly a symptom of your mattress, its age and condition, not its surroundings. It's not like cockroaches. Unless you can show all other tenants have the same problem, it might be harder to break the lease than you think.

dannyboy · Answer

No, you certainly cannot terminate the lease on account of bedbug infestation. You will have to bide your time till mid-January. In the meanwhile, you can get your apartment treated by the Pest Control of India or from Godrej pest control. It will take care of the situation for the next 4 1/2 months. Get rid of the old mattresses, pillows, curtains and change the upholstery  of your furniture. Move into the new apartment with all new mattresses, curtains and other things on which bedbugs thrive and destroy them by burning. This will ensure that you don't infest the new apartment with the bugs.

hawkguy · Answer

I think you should be able to get out of your lease on the basis that your landlord can not provide sanitary conditions for you to live in anymore. Make sure you have evidence. Your landlord will probably keep your deposit and try to sue you for the remainder of the lease. You could probably sue the landlord for all of your deposit back because you are not at fault.

jeeper_peeper321 · Answer

That would depend on the source of the bed bugs.

If your furniture is the source, then without you correcting your problem

An exterminator is not gonna help.

IE: if your mattress is the source, then unless YOU rid your mattress of bed bugs

Nothing will help the problem.

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Terminating apartment lease early on account of bedbug infestation?

4 Answers