Renting an apartment with bed bugs: what to do and what to ask

The short answer: Tell your landlord or building manager in writing as soon as you find bed bugs, with photos and dates. Keep your belongings where they are, follow the treatment schedule and prep list, and keep your own notes. In an apartment building, neighbouring units may need checking too.

My first apartment had bed bugs, and they didn’t start with me. They came from another apartment in the building.

That’s the thing about renting in a building. Walls, hallways and laundry rooms are shared, and bed bugs can move from one unit to the next. So the problem is rarely just yours, and neither is the fix. Here’s what I’d ask before moving in, and what to do if you find them while you rent.

Before you move in

Ask about bed bugs directly

When you view a unit, ask the landlord or building manager plainly: “Have there been bed bugs in this unit or in the building?” If the answer is yes, ask when, and how it was handled.

It’s a fair question, and much easier to ask before you sign than after you move in. Asking is one of the things I’d do differently.

Look around the unit

Bring your phone and use its flashlight. You don’t need to search every inch, but a few minutes in the right spots can tell you a lot.

• Check the seams of any mattress or upholstered furniture that comes with the unit.
• Look along the edges of carpets and baseboards, especially in the bedroom.
• Look inside closets and in the corners of shelves.
• Watch for small dark spots, like marker dots, on walls or floors where a bed may have been.

Our guide to the signs of bed bugs shows what to look for. If something looks off, ask about it before you sign.

If you find bed bugs while renting

Tell your landlord or building manager in writing, right away

Don’t wait to be completely sure. I spent a whole winter telling myself the bugs I kept seeing were harmless beetles. Telling the building early gives them a chance to act before the problem spreads further.

Put it in writing, by email or letter, so there’s a record. Include:

• what you found, and where (bed, couch, bathroom)
• the dates you saw them
• clear photos, and a bug in a sealed bag or container if you caught one
• a request for your unit to be inspected

Keep your belongings where they are

It’s normal to want your things out of there, to a friend’s place, a family member’s home or a neighbour’s unit. Hold off. Moving belongings is one of the easiest ways to carry bed bugs somewhere new. Talk to the pest control professional first about what can go where, and how.

Your neighbours may need checking too

Because bed bugs can move between units, the apartments beside, above and below yours may need to be inspected, and sometimes treated as well. In some cases, the whole building may need treatment.

It also means bed bugs can come back after your unit is treated if a nearby unit still has them. If you see signs again, report it again, in writing.

Cooperate with the treatment schedule and prep

If the building arranges treatment, you’ll usually get a date and a prep list. Follow the list as closely as you can, and ask about anything that isn’t clear. If you can’t manage part of it, say so early, not on the day.

Our guide to getting ready for treatment walks through the general steps, alongside your pest control company’s own list.

Keep your own notes

Keep a simple log in one place:

• the dates you saw bugs or signs, with photos
• who you told, when, and what they said
• copies of every email and letter
• treatment and follow-up dates
• anything you threw out or had cleaned

It helps you remember what happened, and it keeps conversations with your building clear and calm.

If you’re thinking about moving out

I ended up moving out of that apartment, for reasons that were specific to my situation. If you’re considering it, talk to the pest control professional first about how to pack, so the bed bugs don’t come with you. You can read how I handled it in my story.

For questions about your lease, or about who handles what, your local tenant resources can explain your rights where you live.