Colorado Bedbug Laws: Explained by Attorney Matt Osborne
This video explains the legal obligations of landlords in Colorado regarding bed bug infestations, focusing on tenant rights and appropriate responses to bed bug issues. When a tenant reports bed bugs, the landlord must arrange an inspection within 96 hours and, if bed bugs are found, create a building-wide eradication plan within five days. The video clarifies that bed bugs can affect anyone, regardless of cleanliness, and dispels myths surrounding them. It also provides practical advice for tenants facing unresponsive landlords and offers steps to protect oneself from inadvertently spreading bed bugs to new locations.
Viewers are advised to document evidence of bed bugs and communicate with exterminators about the treatment plan to ensure effectiveness. The speaker also highlights the physical and psychological effects of bed bug infestations, such as itchiness, infection risk from scratching, and sleep disruption, which can impact overall well-being. Finally, the video covers legal options available to tenants if landlords fail to meet their responsibilities, including the potential to sue for violating the warranty of habitability.
Key Insights
- Landlord Responsibility: In Colorado, landlords must inspect for bed bugs within 96 hours of tenant notification and initiate a treatment plan within five days if found.
- Infestation Risks: Bed bugs can spread through hitchhiking on clothing, furniture, and other items, regardless of how clean a space is.
- Health Implications: Bed bug bites can cause itching, risk of infection from scratching, and sleep disruption, impacting daily functioning.
- Tenant Actions:
- Notify landlords immediately about bed bugs.
- Document bites and visible bugs as evidence.
- Discuss a detailed treatment plan with the exterminator.
- Legal Recourse: Tenants may sue landlords who do not address infestations as required, as this breaches the warranty of habitability.
- Red Flags in Treatment: A single spray treatment or lack of a multi-step eradication plan from exterminators can indicate ineffective pest control.
- What should I do if I suspect I have bed bugs in my apartment? Notify your landlord immediately, document any evidence (such as bites or bugs), and be ready to discuss a treatment plan with the exterminator.
- How soon must a landlord act if bed bugs are reported in Colorado? The landlord must arrange for an inspection within 96 hours of being notified and create an eradication plan within five days if bed bugs are confirmed.
- Can I still get bed bugs even if I keep my living space clean? Yes, bed bugs are not attracted to dirt but to blood, so cleanliness does not prevent an infestation.
- What are some signs of ineffective bed bug treatment? If the exterminator only sprays chemicals without using multiple treatment methods or fails to communicate the plan, it could indicate an inadequate approach.
- What legal action can I take if my landlord refuses to address a bed bug infestation? If your landlord fails to act within the legal timeframe, you may consider suing for breaching the warranty of habitability.
- How can I prevent bringing bed bugs to a new place if I move out? Carefully inspect and clean your belongings, especially clothing, furniture, and bags, as bed bugs can easily hitchhike on these items.