Calif. Civil Code §§1954.601, 1954.602, 1954.603, 1954.604, 1954.605
Added and amended by A.B. 551
Effective date: July 1, 2017

A landlord is not required to inspect a dwelling unit or common areas for bed bugs if they have no notice or suspicion of a bed bug infestation. However, if a bed bug infestation is visually detectable during any landlord inspection, the landlord is deemed to be on notice of the infestation.

A landlord is barred from showing a prospective tenant any residential rental unit known to the landlord to be infested by bed bugs.

Beginning July 1, 2017, a landlord is required to provide a written bed bug notice to a prospective tenant prior to entering into a lease or rental agreement. Beginning January 1, 2018, the notice is required to be provided to both existing and prospective tenants.

The notice must be in at least 10-point font, and include information about:

  • bed bug identification, behavior and biology;
  • the importance of cooperating in bed bug prevention and treatment;
  • the importance of prompt written reporting of bed bug infestations to the landlord; and
  • the procedure for reporting suspected bed bug infestations to the landlord. [See future RPI Form 563-2]

A landlord may inspect or have a pest control operator inspect a property for bed bugs after giving reasonable written notice of their intent to enter the rented unit. Tenants are required to provide any requested information necessary to help detect and treat bed bugs. [See RPI Form 567]

Within two business days of receiving a bed bug inspection report from a pest control operator, the landlord is to notify tenants of inspected units of the pest control operator’s findings. If a bed bug infestation exists in a common area, the landlord must provide notice of the infestation to all tenants. [See future RPI Form 563-3]

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