Possible Bed Bugs

Started by TonyN2 • 6 replies • 315 views

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TonyN2 (Illinois)
Posts: 62

Posted:

An exterminator in our building alarmed us about bed bugs. For that reason we would like everybody in the building to have their units inspected. Our board is paying for the inspection or any remedy. I just want to make sure we, as a board, are able to enter into each unit for this reason. I don't know if this is considered an emergency or not. Thanks!

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

This is advice shared from California.

https://www.davis-stirling.com/HOME/B/Bedbug

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

I would not consider it an emergency. To me, an emergency is something that if immediate action is not taken there would be serious damage or injury. Of course, if your governing documents may define an emergency differently.

Outside of an emergency, it's always better to let the homeowner take care of their own issues. As far as I know, there is not a high probability of bedbugs traveling from one unit to another but you might contact the health department for advice.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Personally I do not consider it an emergency not is it the responsibility of the BOD to pay for any inspection/treatment other then common areas. What I would recommend is a letter be sent to all owners informing them there was an infestation of bed bugs in one unit so to be on the safe side, each owner should inspect their unit for and treat if necessary.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Agree with JohnC. The thing is, Tony, that as a board Assn. would be justified to enter every unit for an inspection IF bed bugs were a threat to your common areas or other condos (physically).

At least that's what our condo CC&Rs say. Or do you CC&Rs say otherwise? It sounds like they say he assn. enter in the case of an emergency. I don't think bedbugs qualify. I imagine you'd get quite a lot of push- back from some residents.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Do NOT go down that rabbit hole. It is one your HOA can't fill it back in. Unless Pest control is part of what your dues pay for already. Don't do it. Like other's said. Send out a notice by posting it in public. Nothing can go into a mailbox without a stamp. So have to factor in that expense if you were to mail notices.

Keep in mind people are going to demand the HOA pays for it. That is okay. It doesn't mean it has to do it. Simply explain that is an expense that will increase your dues to cover. A HOA is ONLY funded by it's members for it's members. So in the end your HOA is going to have to make everyone pay for it.

Bed bugs are usually not known to crawl around to other units from my understanding. They usually cling to a person's body or clothing. If you have a shared washing area, they may spread there. Sharing items from those unit amongst people are more likely to cause it to spread. I would assume the 4 that got the bugs know each other or shared something in common.

Former HOA President

JanineR (Tennessee)
Posts: 259

Posted:

I agree with the replies above.

Interior Pest Control:

Is there something written in the governing documents or past increase in assessments that would warrant the Association paying for unit interior pest control?

I'm guessing bed bugs don't affect the common areas, which usually are the responsibility of the Association.

What would be the threshold to cut it off, what if there are ants in someone's unit, or someone's cat got fleas.

Emergency Inspection of Units:

If I was a unit owner, I would consider this an invasion of privacy.
That feels more like a tenant/landlord relationship, and not an owner and member of the Association

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