Landlord Complaint Record: #22-9899

Pitt Blue Holdings LP    |    Samantha Rawagah    |    Pittsburgh    ,    Pennsylvania 15213    Landlord Complaint 22-9899


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CASE CLOSED MET MINIMUM REQUIREMENT Mar 4, 2013


REQUIREMENT MET: After mediation it has been determined that the landlord met the minimum requirement for this complaint.
 



Case Number : 22-9899 Filing Date : Jul 3, 2012
Investigating Agent : Kept Private Case Disposition : Met Minimum Requirement
Complaint Level : Code Landlord Response : Case Closed

SUPPORTING DETAILS
Type Title / Link Posted By Date Uploaded Comments
upload Kept Private RPA Mailing Center Jul 3, 2012 The following attachment is a copy of the mailed complaint notice that was processed and sent out the Landlord/ Manager.

LANDLORD / MGR : Samantha Rawagah RENTER : Kept Private
Property Name : Pitt Blue Holdings LP      
Address : McKee Place Apartments 308 McKee Pl Address : Kept Private
City, State - Zip : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 15213. City, State - Zip : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 15213.
Phone : Kept Private Phone : Kept Private

COMPLAINT : Issues with Extermination and payment related to Bed Bug
Fair Resolution according to renter :
  1. Payment for Removal of Bed Bugs

RENTAL DETAILS
Address               :   
City, State - Zip   :   , - .

COMPLAINT DETAILS (from renter)

We have an apartment in a 3 floor apartment building. Recently my roommate found bed bugs in her room. She thought that she had been bitten over night and when looking for the spider she thought it might have been, found bed bugs. Immediately after finding the bugs my roommates contacted our landlords and began to take steps to contain the issue, including but not limited to those recommended by the landlord. Once I was notified I contacted the landlord about steps that needed to be taken. She informed me of what she told my roommates and that an exterminator would be there the following day. When I questioned where we, the tenants, stood as far as liability she said we were responsible for all of the charges, which are likely to amount to $1,100 +. In the mean time do to the parasite infestation of our apartment, making it unsafe for my roommates to live there, they have been staying elsewhere, only returning to continue to clean and help contain the issue. We were told that we were “responsible for bringing the bugs in” and that no other tenants in our building have had any complaints or evidence of bed bugs. However we were unaware of the issues until we search for it also we have not brought in any new used furniture, which I have been told is a cause; however I have witnessed this happen in other apartments in our building. When asked what steps the exterminator would take she said he would spray out apartment then later visit surrounding apartments and spray. I think it is unfair to for us to assume all responsibility for something that we did not cause, and that has put us in an unsafe living environment, causing us to have to find alternative places to live/stay.

LANDLORD / TENANT RESPONSES (3)
From Date IP Address Response
Renter Jul 9, 2012 216.118.82.254 After speaking with the exterminator about the issue of bed bugs on July 9, 2012 he informed me about the steps they had taken. He confirmed that the adjacent apartments had no signs of bed bugs when they were inspected. Also he informed me that the usual gestation period for bed bugs is approximately 3 months, this is what led my landlord to the conclusion that we are at fault for the bed bugs. However when asked if he could say with complete certainty that there is proof that we brought the bed bugs into the apartment, the answer was no, there is always a small chance or exception. Therefore unless our landlord had the apartments professionally checked, prior to our move in, then there is still a small chance that the outbreak was not cause by my roommates and I. In addition to this, our landlord said that payment for the treatment of our apartment, and the inspection of the adjacent apartment would come from out safety deposit. However it states in the lease that “Tenant agrees that during the term, landlord may decide to use all or part of the security deposit to pay for damages cause by tenant to the property." Also "The unit must be returned to the landlord in the same condition as it was provided, reasonable wear and tear accepted. Tenant is responsible for all damage to the unit that occurs after acceptance, reasonable wear and tear excluded.” First I would like to address that bed bugs are not damage to the property. They are a parasite that unfortunately found its way into out apartment. Nowhere on the list given to the tenants prior to moving in to fill out previous damage to the apartment was there a place for the examination for parasites, not that the tenants (untrained) could be expected to find them. Also since a parasite is not damage to the property, I feel it is important to point out that the lease does not contain a clause addressing parasites, pests, or bugs. Also in concern not only for ourselves, surrounding apartments, and future tenants we informed out landlord about the condition. Had we not done this we could have cleaned out the apartment and returned it to the landlord without any damages; however this would be irresponsible and risk a future outbreak. Finally as of right now we are only asking not to be expected to pay for the treatment of the apartment, especially since we did not have any part in the decision process about how to treat the apartment (there are different steps that may be taken). This is despite the fact that during this time period of treatment when we cannot bring any of our fabric, clothes, and other items we have cleaned and need for day to day living into the apartment we have had to find alternative places to live.
Renter Jul 9, 2012 216.118.82.254 Explain why you can't accept / Offer Alternative Resolution.
Landlord Jul 9, 2012 67.171.96.222 Explain why you can't accept / Offer Alternative Resolution.
Renter Jul 5, 2012 216.118.82.254 1.Since the complaint has been filled I have spoken more with my roommates and been updated on issues. First, I left out that not having an exterminator come to take care of the issue was not option. Also that we were told we would be charged for the exterminator to visit all surrounding apartments that share a wall with ours, in which case this seems we are being penalized for reporting an issue with the apartment building. The exterminator came on July 3, 2012 in the afternoon; he sprayed the apartments and spoke with the tenants (my roommates). We were told that there would be move visits and this could extend a three week period. He said it would be safe to enter the apartment that night but we would not be able to bring anything new in. This means nothing new as well as none of the bedding, clothes, or anything taken out to be cleaned and rid of possible bed bugs could return. So while it is safe for people to be in, we cannot stay there due to being unable to bring in living necessities, and have been forced to find new places to stay for the next three weeks.

INVESTIGATING AGENT - REMARKS (9)
Agent Date Response
SYSTEM Mar 4, 2013 The case has been resolved as 'Met Minimum Requirement'.
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 PENDING LANDLORD RESPONSE: The landlord or manager have been provided with the following response deadline: July 09, 2012 This deadline provides a reasonable time frame of 3 days for delivery of written notice and 3 days to respond to case # 22-9899 as outlined in the mailed notice. THIS CASE IS PENDING RESPONSE FROM LANDLORD OR MANAGER.
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 MAIL CONFIRMATION: The complaint notice has been processed and is currently in route for 22-9899.
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 COMPLAINT NOTICE PRINTED: The complaint notice has been successfully transferred to the nearest mailing center and is pending mailing confirmation. For Landlord
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 AUTOMATIC EMAIL TO LANDLORD: The system has automatically emailed the landlord a digital complaint notice. Initial Email to Landlord has been sent.
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 EMAIL TO TENANT: The system has sent an email to the tenant. The email included a copy of the complaint as filed by the tenant.
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 Complaint Accepted by System
SYSTEM Jul 3, 2012 Complaint 22-9899 has been filed.