Steeplechase Apartments    |    MAIN OFFICE | Steeplechase Apts    |    Lafayette    ,    Louisiana 70506    Landlord Complaint 23-0528

On October 25th 2012, It was discovered that our apartment was infested with bed bugs (we have been living at my aunt's house as of this day). We informed the front desk, and were asked to supply a sample, which we provided immediately. An Orkin Exterminator inspected our apartment the next day and told us how to prepare for treatment. We did everything that was asked of us (washing/drying clothes and removing them, disinfecting our daughter's toys and removing them, apartment was vacuumed and decluttered). We also threw out our infested mattress, as well as our daughter's. Treatment took place on October 31st 2012. We gradually went back to the apartment every day to begin unpacking. The Orkin exterminator inspected our apartment again about a week later and sprayed some type of substance. We decided that on November 14th 2012, it would be safe for us to resume sleeping in our apartment. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for a bug to resurface, and we went back to my aunt's house in the middle of the night. David spoke with the assistant manager the following morning about the bugs not being irradicated. On November 6th 2012 we recieved a letter requesting a "bed bug conference" with Ms. Tyra Casey. She informed me that we would be charged for the treatment, but reconsidered when I mentioned an attorney. She accused us of knowing we had the bed bugs for six months (time frame estimated by Orkin). There is also speculation on the terms in which our neighbors on either side moved out. The tenants to the left of our apartment (14-Y) moved out suddenly, leaving their encased mattress and other belongings on their porch for days. After they moved out, all carpeting was replaced. The tenants to the right of our apartment (16-Y) were reportedly evicted, and also infested with bed bugs. Management denies these scenarios. This experience has been an absolute nightmare. I have had a hives type of rash since mid-July, and now know bed bug bites to be the cause. We have uprooted our lives and moved my daughter out of her home. We all suffer anxiety and sleep deprivation and constantly check our bedding throughout the night. We have incurred close to $1000 in expenses and loss of property. The only solutions I see are ridding of the bed bugs completely, possibly by the effective heat treatment (offered by Terminix), or being excused from the remainder of our lease with assistance for moving expenses. We deserve a habitable home.