Compliance: Pay Attention To New HUD Guidelines For Bed Bugs

Get residents and staff involved to comply with new rules

As bed bug infestations are becoming increasingly -- and alarmingly -- common, you have a growing responsibility to keep your units pest-free. Until recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been vague on how it expects you to prevent and control bed bugs -- and has offered few details on what you, your staff and your residents should do.

In response to pressure from the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and other industry heavy-hitters, HUD has re-issued a significantly revised version of its bed bug guidelines. In an April 23 notice, HUD makes updates and changes specifically addressing bed bugs in its "Guidelines on Addressing Infestations in HUD-Insured and Assisted Multifamily Housing" (Notice H 2012-5).

Although the changes to the guidelines are varied, the overarching idea is that HUD wants you to develop an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) specifically focused on preventing bed bug infestations for multifamily buildings. Thankfully, HUD also provides many recommendations on how you should create your IPM.

Note: The revised guidance applies to only properties receiving HUD assistance via project-based Section 8, not to properties taking vouchers. Although the guidance also applies to FHA-insured properties, it doesn't supersede state and local tenant laws.

Get Residents To Take An Active Detection/Prevention Role

Among the significant changes in the guidelines, HUD places a strong emphasis on "the shared responsibilities between prop[...]