Were you exposed to bed bugs while staying at a hotel or motel in North Carolina? Did you suffer injuries from bed bug bites in a North Carolina apartment? If you sustained injuries and destruction of property due to a bed bug infestation, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from your landlord or the business owner. However, it’s essential to understand North Carolina’s bed bug laws and how to prove that you are a victim of negligence by another party.
Normandie Law Firm has been fighting for the rights of bed bug injury victims for several decades. We represent clients throughout North Carolina in cities such as Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, High Point, Cary, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem. Our legal team is thoroughly familiar with the state’s bed bug laws and the legal actions that are available to you.
Simply contact us at your earliest opportunity and learn about your rights from a knowledgeable bed bug attorney.
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What are the Bed Bug Laws in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s House Bill 721 is one of the most notable statutes on bed bug infestations in North Carolina apartment buildings and rental properties. According to the bill, a landlord must provide tenants with a safe and sanitary unit that’s free of pests, such as bed bugs. If there is an infestation on the property, they must not rent the unit or put up a listing until the issue is fully resolved.
Landlords have the option to ask for a certification from the pest control company as proof that the property is free of bed bugs. This is not a legal requirement, but it’s highly recommended, as tenants have the assurance of knowing that they are moving into an apartment that’s free of bed bugs. In addition, the landlord has proof that that the property was not infested prior to the tenant moving in.
What to Do if There are Bed Bugs in Your Apartment
Many people in North Carolina have dealt with the nightmare of moving into an apartment that’s infested with bed bugs. So, what can you do as a tenant if there is an infestation in your apartment?
First and foremost, make sure to notify your landlord about the problem in writing. House Bill 721 requires that you do this within 5 days of an infestation. From the date of receiving your complaint, the landlord has 5 days to take either of these actions:
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Have the bed bugs exterminated by a professional service
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Provide the tenant with certification indicating that the property is free of bed bugs
Keep in mind that the responsible party may be an adjoining unit or another apartment in the building. So, if it is found that the problem is coming from another tenant’s property, that’s the person who must pay for the cost of extermination services. Alternatively, the tenant that filed the complaint may have brought in the bed bugs from an outside source, which is very common in situations where clothes and other belongings were kept in a storage facility.
If whoever is responsible refuses to pay for an exterminator, the landlord has the right to arrange for extermination services at the tenant’s expense. They can also move to evict the tenant and sue them for monetary damages. Conversely, if liability falls on the landlord, the tenant can file a claim for compensation, such as medical expenses, emotional distress, and value of lost property.
North Carolina Bed Bug Laws for Hotels
Hotel bed bug laws are based on the common law, which holds property owners responsible for the safety and well-being of their guests. So, that means hotel owners have to exercise reasonable care to protect people from bodily harm and property damage that can result from a bed bug infestation.
This is why daily cleaning and routine maintenance is so important at motels, hotels, and other similar lodgings. Cleaning doesn’t kill bed bugs, but it can draw people’s attention to eggs, bed bug shell casings (exoskeletons), feces, and other classic signs. They must also take immediate action if a guest reports signs of bed bugs in the room. If hotel management is aware of the problem and fails to take the necessary measures, affected guests may have grounds to sue for monetary compensation.
Keep in mind that the burden of proof is on you as the victim. That means you would have to show evidence that hotel management was aware of the infestation. Alternatively, they should have been aware of the situation, but their negligence prevented them from recognizing the signs of bed bugs on the premises.
Residential Housing Laws on Bed Bugs
Residential housing is a separate category of properties that can be infested by bed bugs. Campus dormitories, for example, are considered residential housing. Bed bug laws do exist for these places, but the laws can vary depending on the type of ownership (private versus publicly owned / operated). A North Carolina bed bug lawyer if your best source of information if you suffered injuries or property damage from bed bugs in a residential housing facility.
At the end of the day, bed bugs are a public health issue that must be dealt with immediately. But the statutes governing the rights of injury victims can be complicated, so it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced bed bug lawyer as soon as possible.
Help from a Bed Bug Lawsuit Attorney
A bed bug infestation is a horrific experience that no should have to live with, and help is available for those who suffered injuries and property loss due to negligence by a property owner. The bed bug lawyers at our office are here to provide you with information on your rights and legal options. We also have the skills and resources to go after the responsible party and bring you the compensation you deserve by law.
Bed Bug Legal Group takes all cases on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront if you need representation on a bed bug injury claim. Our lawyers only get paid by receiving a percentage of your settlement, so you pay $0 in legal fees if we fail to win your case.
To discuss your rights and legal options with a North Carolina bed bug attorney, reach out to us at your earliest opportunity.
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