Santa Barbara Bed Bug Infestation Lawyer

Known as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year due to its Spanish Colonial architecture, beautiful Mediterranean climate, and gorgeous coastline. When people visit, they often stay at a motel, hotel, AirBNB, or other type of rental unit. While most accommodations are safe and healthy, many also contain bed bug infestations, a growing problem in California. When people leave these locations, they often bring bed bugs back home, where a secondary problem develops. If you can show that the property owner knew, or should have known, of the bed bug problem and did nothing to correct it, you may be able to file a claim for damages. These damages are meant to compensate for your losses, such as medical expenses, mental distress, and more. Filing these claims is not easy, though. Our Santa Barbara bed bug infestation lawyer can help you through the process so you obtain the best possible outcome.

What Causes Bed Bug Infestations?

When people travel, bed bugs often enter their home by crawling inside an object, such as luggage. Bed bugs have earned their nickname as ‘hitchhikers’ because they can easily travel from one place to another. In other instances, a person can develop an infestation in their home if they bring objects into their home that contain the pests, such as secondhand furniture.

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not enter a space because it is untidy. They only need a warm-blooded host, such as a person or their pet, to survive. That being said, cluttered or unclean spaces can make it more challenging to identify an infestation.

Does California Have Any Laws About Bed Bugs?

California has a high population, which means there is also a higher rate of bed bug infestations. To combat this issue, legislators in the state have enacted many laws pertaining to bed bugs. Under California Civil Code Section 1942.5, landlords have a duty to prevent bed bugs. In addition to this, landlords are also responsible for the following:

• Document any bed bug infestations that were previously present on the premises and inform any potential tenants of the issue in writing
• Provide full disclosure of any report from a pest control company or contractor who inspected the premises for bed bugs
• Refrain from leasing, renting, or even showing a rental unit that has an active bed bug infestation

In addition to the above, landlords are prohibited from penalizing tenants for reporting a bed bug infestation. Common retaliation tactics include reducing response times and increasing rent, which are both illegal. If you believe you have been exposed, a bed bug infestation attorney in Santa Barbara can help.

Our Bed Bug Infestation Lawyer in Santa Barbara Can Protect Your Rights

If a landlord, hotel owner, or another party was negligent and you now have a bed bug infestation in your home, it is important that you seek legal help. Our Santa Barbara bed bug infestation attorney at Brod Law Firm can provide it, answer your questions, and negotiate for the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to request a free review of your case and to get the sound advice you need.