The Cornerstone Associates, LLC, Ridgetop Corp.    |    Ethan Addes    |    Englewood    ,    New Jersey 07631    Landlord Complaint 23-1265

Please be advised that this serves as my formal notice to terminate my lease at the above referenced Premises. On or about January 22, 2013, I notified the management office at (201) 567-1221 regarding an issue I had concerning sightings of bed bugs. I was advised by the woman who answered the phone to “catch one of the bugs and put it in a ziploc bag.” I was flabbergasted by this suggestion, as this was not the response I was expecting. After making subsequent phone calls and leaving messages, I was now frustrated and asked a family member to ‘catch’ one of these bugs. Not only that he caught one bug, but five (5) and left it on the counter as per their instructions.On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, I spoke with Mr. Harold Knebel, who informed me that someone will be by to inspect the apartment. Subsequently, after a follow-up phone call, management notified me that they will have an exterminator there on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 to treat the problem.Since my initial calls went unanswered, I have not resided (slept, showered, dressed, eaten) in my apartment, as I am in constant fear of being bitten by these bugs. I refuse to wear the clothing in my apartment and have either had to borrow from my sisters, or purchase new items as the number of bugs seems to be increasing. I have developed a sense of paranoia as I constantly scratch (either from real or imagined bites or itches) and shake my clothing out. I refused to live like that.Bed bugs are classified as parasites, so unlike other infestations, they present a breach of habitability than other bugs. Renting out an apartment “knowingly” infested by bed bugs is a definite breach of the implied habitability, usually warranted by landlords in providing a safe and livable unit. I have been made aware of two (2) other apartments within the building, with the same infestation. One tenant moved out on Saturday, February 23, 2013. During one of my numerous telephone conversations with the woman at the office, I was told that management was aware of the problem as they’ve had complaints from other tenants. In lieu of the foregoing, I have decided to terminate my lease and demand the return of security deposit in the sum of $1,897.50 as well as fees including, but not limited to my bed (valued at $1,470.83), travel costs to and from my Mother’s house in the Bronx ($250), the cost of filing a RPA report of approximately $57, and $2,500 for pain & suffering.