By Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/ Producer
MANHATTAN — A bill that would require landlords to disclose prior bed bug infestations to potential apartment renters cleared a state Assembly committee on Monday.
The bill was approved unanimously by the Assembly's Housing Committee, BrickUnderground.com reported.
The original bill had also applied to apartment sales, but that clause was removed as part of an early compromise to increase the bill's chances of passing.
The original bill also called for a disclosure about any infestations within the past five years, but state housing experts said that would unfairly punish landlords who may have the problem under control.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal proposed the original bill after hearing many of her Upper West Side constituents had been hit by the blood-sucking insects.
The bill was paired with another for a tax credit of up to $750 to help with the cost of replacing bed bug-infested possessions, which is currently being reviewed by a separate committee.
Under the revised bill, landlords will only have to reveal whether there are any infestations in the building, as well as in the apartment the potential renter is viewing.
The ability for renters to get documentation on bed bugs "in a specific building and apartment gives prospective residents a first line of defense" against having to deal with an infestation, Rosenthal posted on her Facebook page.
