Bedbugs in Air-bnbs: Short-Term Rental Nightmares and Your California Remedies

Booking an Airbnb for a quick getaway only to wake up itching from bedbug bites is a vacation ruiner — and a legal violation. In bustling LA, where short-term rentals proliferate, hosts often overlook infestations, passing the problem to guests who expect clean, pest-free stays.

Even for stays under 30 days, California law treats Airbnbs as temporary rentals under the Guest Occupancy statute (Civil Code 1940), imposing habitability duties like pest control per Section 1941.1. The state's Bedbug Infestation Law (Health & Safety Code 1954) requires hosts to disclose prior issues and exterminate promptly. In Los Angeles, local ordinances under the Short-Term Rental Program mandate clean conditions. Victims may be able to claim breach of contract via Airbnb's platform or sue for negligence.

React swiftly: Inspect bites/marks, photograph evidence, notify the host and Airbnb immediately (demand refund and treatment), and consult a doctor for records. Remedies may range from full refunds and reimbursement for medical/laundry costs to small claims court awards, plus punitive damages if the infestation was hidden.

Tenants Law Firm extends our expertise to short-term renters, pursuing hosts and platforms for accountability. We've recovered thousands for bedbug ordeals, ensuring no one suffers in silence. Book a free consultation today. We are here for you!