To a landlord, there’s nothing worse than finding out your property is infested with bedbugs, or some other type of pest. With new legislation hitting 2017, California has made changes to the regulations on how landlords can disclose information about bedbugs and apply over-the-counter pesticides.

When the neighboring unit next to Ian B. was infested with bedbugs, he recalled that it created panic amongst his neighbors. His roommates spent hours checking everything in their rooms, only to find that (thankfully) the infestation had not spread to their unit. After moving out, friends living in the complex revealed that bedbugs, as well as spider and cockroach infestations, were a reoccurring problem. Although Ian remembers that the incident next door was resolved quickly, the continued outbreaks created a negative reputation for the property.

While eradicating all the pests from your property is a major priority, make sure you do so legally. Just like with Ian’s experience, repeated pest problems (combined with a lack of communication with the tenants) can ruin your reputation. The last thing you’d want is a bad online review, or a bad experience whispered around the neighborhood. To not only keep your property safe, your tenants happy, and your practices legal, ceck out the new California regulations, as well as their effective dates, below.

Landlord/Tenant Bedbugs Disclosure (AB 551)

This amendment requires landlords to give information about bed bugs (as specified) to new tenants starting July 1, 2017 and for existing tenants starting January 1, 2018. Notice must also be given to tenants of units inspected by a pest control operator and provide the findings within 2 business days. This bill also prohibits landlords from showing, renting, or leasing a vacancy that the landlord knows has a bed bug infestation. By law, tenants must cooperate with bed bug inspections, permitting entry into the unit by the pest control operator.

Pesticide Application in Common Interest Developments (AB 2362)

Homeowner associations in common interest developments must now provide tenants advance written notice when over-the-counter pesticides are applied to separate interest dwellings or common areas. Notice must be provided at least 48 hours before application, however, if the pests pose a high and immediate threat, notification can be posted one hour before pesticides are applied.

Avoiding repeated pest outbreaks like Ian’s and staying up to date on regulations involving pesticides are vital when trying to maintain your rental property and attract new tenants. As you want to protect your property from any threats, make sure your online rental application has space to include previous landlord references. This way, you’ll know if the renter inflicted significant damages to their previous property that required the use of pesticides.