bedbugs

Bedbugs Are the New STDs

As promised, state officials in New York issued a new disclosure form for landlords called the DBB-N, or Notice to Tenant: Disclosure of Bedbug Infestation history. It compels landlords to reveal whether bedbugs have been reported in the apartment for rent, or elsewhere in the building. The forms are based on a law signed by Governor Paterson a couple of weeks back. Brokers say that they will help clear the air as more tenants inquire into a building’s history with bedbugs. We guess the air will be nice and clear because of how fast potential renters will run in the opposite direction? Landlords, who apparently lie less than brokers, are worried that the form will make apartments and buildings unrentable, even if there’s only been a small case and it’s been treated. Sherwin Belkin, a lawyer who represents landlords, said, “You are going to put a scarlet B on a lot of apartment buildings.” This is all well and good, but we’d like to be able to stop squirming at the movies, so can someone do something about that? Something better than this lady’s homemade plastic-bag solution?

Bedbug Disclosure Required [WSJ]

Bedbugs Are the New STDs