Landlord’s statement insulting
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Dear Editor:
Three-quarters of the way through the Jan. 17 article “Landlord frustrated by confirmed bedbug issue” I was stopped dead in my tracks by the sentence, “I feel I’ve been penalized for allowing low-income families in to rent my apartments”.
I had to go back and re-read this statement, as I was not sure I had read it right the first time. Surely Brenda Therrien is not suggesting bedbugs showed up in her apartments because low-income people had rented from her. The surmise here is that low-income people are not as clean or vigilant against such things as bedbugs, as perhaps a more well-to-do family would be. I do not know what her idea of low-income is, but not being wealthy myself, I am insulted by her words.
Perhaps she needs to educate herself on the subject of bedbugs. These critters do not seek out “dirty” people or places. They are found in all levels of homes and residences, even the finest five-star hotels. They are known to come in clothing, bedding, and soft furniture that is brand new. They may come from the foreign countries that produce these goods, hiding in seams, in plastic wrappings. All new items should be washed before being put in closets and cupboards. You only have to be where bedbugs are to bring them home.
When a person becomes a landlord, which I was many years ago, certain responsibilities come with that title, whether it is replacing a nonworking appliance or dealing with infestations. Please don’t put the blame on the low-income families.
Sandy Baker Anderson
