Offering Cash For Keys To Subletting Tenant With Bed Bugs?

[Art Maydan]

I’m managing a 4-unit and the garden unit tenants were two roommates. Roommate #1 got bed bugs in his room. I sent a pro out to confirm that they were there and they did. The pro sent me a checklist of steps that need to be taken prior to them coming back to do their treatment, which I forwarded to the two roommates. Roommate #2 is subletting. Only Roommate #1 was on the lease. The lease is up 8/31 and Roommate #1 just vacated the unit, so it’s just Roommate #2 now. He’s also very unhygienic and I’ve given up doing showings until I can get him out.

He doesn’t want to take the steps the pro suggested and is sending me links to more “eco-friendly” companies that sound like they’re going to be less effective and cost more. He’s also saying he’s “not comfortable” leaving until the bed bug issue is taken care of because he doesn’t want to bring them to his next place. What I’d like to do is get him out ASAP, seal the vents, bug bomb the whole place a couple times, clean it, and start doing showings. I also just learned he's the reason another tenant didn't renew. The guy plays Grateful Dead at 6AM daily apparently...

I’m thinking of offering him cash for keys, pro-rating rent for whatever time he needs to remain in the unit, suggesting he take all of his stuff straight to a laundromat, and reminding him that he’s not even on the lease and that an eviction would make it difficult to find his next place.

I’m not sure how to handle a tenant who’s subletting either. Would it be more or less difficult to get him out? And is he now legally liable for the full rent now that Roommate #1 has moved out? Can I hold that over his head? And what amount of cash for keys would you offer? The rent is $1,500 and his half is $750. This guy has way too much time on his hands (dirty old hippie) and I would love advice on getting him out ASAP. Thank you!