Indianapolis treats bed bugs as a habitability issue under the property maintenance code. Landlords must address infestations in multi-unit buildings; tenants must cooperate with treatment. MCPHD investigates complaints and refers cases to Code Enforcement when needed.
Indiana law (IC 32-31-8) requires landlords to keep rental units in safe and habitable condition, which courts have interpreted to include controlling pest infestations the tenant did not cause. In multi-unit buildings, the landlord typically bears responsibility because bed bugs migrate between units through walls and shared spaces. Indianapolis Code Enforcement and MCPHD investigate complaints, issue notices, and can require professional treatment with follow-up inspections. Tenants must allow access, prepare units, and avoid spreading items between dwellings. Self-treatment with foggers is discouraged because it scatters infestations rather than eliminating them.
Landlords ignoring written notice may face property maintenance citations starting at $100 per day, while tenants refusing access or sabotaging treatment risk lease termination and personal liability for re-infestation.
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