A while back, I saw a landlord asking for advice (on an internet forum I believe) on whether or not they should alert tenants to a possible bed bug infestation at the apartment complex they managed. I answered back that they should for a few reasons. Others in the thread seemed to believe the landlord didn’t need to and provided reasons why not. I disagreed then and I still disagree.
Then along comes The Ethicist at the New York Times.
Somebody asks The Ethicist:
We had our co-op apartment treated for bedbugs. When we informed the co-op board, they said it was up to us whether to alert our neighbors. The management company advised us not to, for fear of spreading panic. I want to give our neighbors a chance to be on the lookout, but I don’t want to scare them unnecessarily or alienate them with bad news. Should I tell?
The Ethicist has a nice response. It basically boils down to:
If you know that people face a genuine, albeit insect-size, peril, you have a duty to let them know so they can protect themselves.
You can read the rest here: The Ethicist – Bedbug Disclosure – Question – NYTimes.com.
It’s not just about the ethics though. Ignoring the problem only makes the situation worse. Communication and cooperation make a positive difference.