Wilmington landlords must keep rental units free of insect infestations, including bed bugs, under the city housing code and Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code. Treatment cost generally falls on the property owner absent tenant fault.
Wilmington City Code Chapter 21 (Housing) incorporates property maintenance standards requiring rental units be free of vermin and insect infestation at the start of and during a tenancy. The Delaware Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (DE 25 §5305) reinforces the landlord's duty to maintain habitable premises. Bed bug complaints are investigated by the Wilmington Department of Licenses and Inspections, which can order professional treatment. Tenants must cooperate with access and preparation for extermination.
Failure to remediate after notice can result in housing code citations, daily fines, and potential rent escrow or repair-and-deduct remedies for tenants.
See how Wilmington's bed-bug rules rules stack up against other locations.
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