Renter with bed bugs

[Daisey Gemens]

We recently rented to a couple who claims that we provided them an apartment with bed bugs. Basically they signed the TAA BB Addendum with specific wording that they were aware the unit was free of BB but had not seen the unit yet. Upon move in inspection they sent photos of what they said was BB fecal smears. We called out an exterminator to inspect before they moved in and they found evidence of past infestation but no live bugs. We told the tenant that the unit was bed bug free. Within a few days of moving in they were being bitten and eventually brought in a live bug in a jar. Exterminator came out again to inspect and found live bed bugs. We think they brought them in and that the photos were a way to cover what they were doing.

We have run into problems with the exterminators not treating as promised and now, 2 months in, the renter is wanting to break the lease. Not sure if I stick my ground and enforce the lease or cut my losses. They claim they are still being bit and are moving out whether we let them out of the lease or not.

Any help is appreciated!