California Bed Bug Disclosure Law for Landlords

Before a new tenancy begins, a California landlord must give the tenant a written bed bug information notice that includes how to report a suspected infestation. The rules are in Civil Code §§1954.600–1954.605 (AB 551, effective January 1, 2017), with retaliation protection in §1942.5. They apply to residential rentals generally, so a small landlord is covered.

What you must give, and when

• New tenancies: on and after July 1, 2017, “prior to creating a new tenancy for a dwelling unit,” the landlord must provide the written notice to the prospective tenant (§1954.603).
• Existing tenants: the same section required the notice to be provided to all other tenants by January 1, 2018. That date has passed, so a long-term tenant who never got it is a gap to close now.
• The statute does not require a signature. A signed or initialed copy is simply how you prove delivery (see the full disclosure checklist).

What the notice must contain

• At least 10-point type.
• General information on bed bug identification, behavior and biology, the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment, and the importance of prompt written reporting of suspected infestations to the landlord. The statute supplies the text, headed “Information about Bed Bugs,” and says to use it “in substantially the following form.” It covers appearance, life cycle, bites and common signs, and points to the websites of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Pest Management Association. Copy it; don't paraphrase it.
• The procedure to report suspected infestations to the landlord. The statute doesn't say what the procedure is, so spell out yours: who to contact and how.

The chapter does not mention the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The only agency it names is the Structural Pest Control Board, which licenses the “pest control operator” (§1954.601).

Before you show or rent a unit

A landlord may not show, rent or lease a vacant unit that the landlord knows has a current bed bug infestation (§1954.602). There is no duty to inspect when you have no notice of a suspected or actual infestation, but if an infestation is evident on visual inspection, you are treated as having notice.

When a tenant reports bed bugs

• Entry: entry to inspect must follow §1954. Entry to inspect any unit the pest control operator selects, and to run follow-up inspections of surrounding units until bed bugs are eliminated, counts as a “necessary service” under that section (§1954.604). Section 1954 requires written notice stating the date, approximate time and purpose, and presumes 24 hours reasonable (see the 24-hour notice article).
• Findings notice: tell the tenants of the units the pest control operator inspected what the operator found. It must be in writing and made within two business days of receiving the findings. For a confirmed infestation in a common area, all tenants must get notice of the findings (§1954.605).
• Treatment: the chapter sets no treatment deadline and doesn't say who pays. The legislature's findings do say that “inadequate or untimely response or planning by landlords may exacerbate an infestation” (§1954.600(d)). If cost is disputed, ask an attorney.

What the tenant must do

Tenants must cooperate with the inspection to facilitate detection and treatment of bed bugs, including providing information the pest control operator requests that is necessary for that purpose (§1954.604). The findings add that treatment often depends on tenants reducing clutter or washing clothes, though that is a finding, not a listed duty.

What not to do

• Don't retaliate. If the tenant is not in default on rent, §1942.5(a) bars a retaliating landlord from recovering possession, forcing the tenant out, raising rent or decreasing services within 180 days after the tenant, in good faith, provided notice of a suspected bed bug infestation. A tenant can invoke the protection only once in any 12-month period (§1942.5(b)). The legislature's findings say tenants “should not face retaliation for reporting a problem.”
• Don't blame the tenant. The statute assigns fault to no one and says cooperation among landlords, tenants and pest control operators is required. A rent increase or termination notice that follows soon after a report invites a retaliation claim.
• Don't rent a known-infested vacancy, and don't hand over a paraphrase in place of the statutory notice.

Related guides

• California Landlord Required Disclosures: The Full Checklist (2026)
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules for California Rentals
• California Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist (Free Template)

This article is informational, not legal advice. For your specific situation, especially anything disputed, talk to a California landlord-tenant attorney.