DC Apartment Bedbug Disclosure: What Renters Need to Know

If you're renting an apartment in Washington, D.C., understanding bedbug disclosure laws can help you protect your health and your rights as a tenant. The District of Columbia has specific rules requiring landlords to share information about bedbugs, respond to complaints, and disclose past infestations before you sign a lease. This guide explains what DC renters need to know about bedbug disclosures, complaint processes, and official resources available to you.

Understanding DC Bedbug Disclosure Laws

Bedbugs are not only an annoyance, but they can disrupt your home and health. In the District of Columbia, landlords must comply with bedbug disclosure laws to help prevent and address infestations. The main regulations are part of the D.C. Code – Bed Bug Control Act^[1] and local housing regulations.

Key Legal Requirements for Landlords

• Disclosure Prior to Signing the Lease: Before you rent, the landlord must tell you if there have been any reports or treatments for bedbugs in your unit within the past 120 days.
• Notice Upon Discovery: If bedbugs are discovered anywhere in the building, the landlord must provide written notice to all tenants about the affected units and what has been done for treatment.
• Inspection Response: Landlords must respond promptly to any tenant notice of a suspected infestation by investigating and, if needed, arranging professional pest control treatment.

What Should a DC Renter Receive?

• An official bedbug disclosure statement prior to signing the lease, if applicable
• Information about any bedbug inspections or treatments in your unit or building in the last four months
• Details about what to do and who to contact if you think you have bedbugs

Official Bedbug Disclosure Forms & Reporting in DC

DC landlords may provide a Bedbug Disclosure Form as part of the lease package. While there is no universally mandated statewide form number, the written notification must include:

• Date(s) and location(s) of any reported or treated bedbug cases
• Actions taken to remove the infestation
• Contact information for building management or pest control services

For example, if you're about to rent a unit and the previous tenant had a confirmed bedbug case within the last 120 days, you should be given this disclosure in writing. If you suspect bedbugs after moving in, submit a complaint in writing to your landlord.

To file a complaint about a bedbug problem that is not being addressed, tenants can use the Housing Inspection Request Form through the Department of Buildings (DOB).

• Form Name: Housing Inspection Request Form
• Form Link: Official Housing Inspection Request (DOB)
• When to Use: Use this online form if you have notified your landlord about a possible bedbug problem, provided them time to act, and the issue hasn't been fixed. You can request an inspection of your rental unit by DC officials.

Residential tenancy issues and complaints in DC are handled by the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) and the Department of Buildings (formerly DCRA). These agencies enforce the DC Housing Code and mediate tenant-landlord disputes.

What to Do if You Suspect Bedbugs in Your Apartment

If you think you have bedbugs, protect yourself with these steps:

• Document evidence: Take photos of bedbugs or bites.
• Notify your landlord in writing as soon as possible.
• Allow inspection and treatment professionals access to your unit.
• If unresolved, submit a complaint using the Housing Inspection Request Form.

DC law requires landlords to investigate reported infestations within seven days and take steps to treat the affected unit(s).

Relevant DC Tenancy Legislation

• D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. – Bed Bug Control Act
• Title 14, Housing – DC Municipal Regulations

These sources define both landlord and tenant obligations regarding bedbugs and rental housing conditions.

FAQs on Bedbug Disclosure for DC Renters

1. Are DC landlords legally required to tell you about previous bedbug incidents?
   Yes, landlords must disclose any reported or treated bedbug infestations in your unit from the past 120 days before you sign a lease.
2. What should I do if my landlord won't address a bedbug problem?
   Submit a complaint using the Housing Inspection Request Form with DC's Department of Buildings. Keep a record of all communications.
3. Can I break my lease if there is a severe bedbug infestation?
   Severe infestations could make the unit legally uninhabitable. Consult the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) for guidance before taking action.
4. Do I have to pay for professional bedbug removal?
   In most cases, DC law requires landlords to arrange and pay for bedbug treatment, unless tenant behavior directly caused the infestation.
5. Where can I get free legal help for rental disputes in DC?
   The OTA provides free legal and advocacy services for renters. See the resource section below for contact links.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for DC Renters

• DC law requires landlords to disclose recent bedbug incidents before you move in and respond quickly to any new infestation.
• Use the Housing Inspection Request Form if bedbug problems are not fixed after notifying your landlord.
• Contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate for free help if your rental housing rights are at risk.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) – Education, dispute help, advocacy, and legal referrals for renters
• Department of Buildings Housing Inspections – File formal housing or pest complaints
• Housing Inspection Request Form – Submit if landlord won’t resolve bedbug issues
• D.C. Code – Bed Bug Control Act
• Title 14, Housing – DC Municipal Regulations

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1. D.C. Code – Bed Bug Control Act §8-231.01 et seq.
2. Title 14, DC Municipal Regulations – Housing
3. District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate
4. DC Department of Buildings – Housing Inspections

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