Inherited Bed Bugs and Replacing Tenant's Possessions

[Ryan Cotter]

Hi All - curious if others have encountered similar situations and how they may have addressed it.

My partner and I recently closed on our second property in NW Indiana, and we've come to learn that all five units are infested with bed bugs to some degree. We're hiring an exterminator to address the issue but they've told us the tenant's bed in one of the units should be replaced to avoid the critters coming back. I'm curious if we should feel obligated to pay for the tenant's new bed - what do you think?

It's not a huge expense in the grand scheme of things, and seems like paying for it would be a defensive measure on our part to avoid more bugs, but we want to prevent a slippery slope of all the tenants asking for personal items to be replaced.

[Jared Hottle]

That is a very unique situation. I think I may say call them up and let them know the situation and see if they are willing to just do it themselves (I know I would be) If not or they balk at the cost of that see if you can work something out. Maybe offer to pay someone for removal and disposal of the beds as that will look like a nice gesture and will allow you to verify the beds got disposed of. If you go the cash or credit off rent though I definitely think you need to have someway to know they are disposed of.