Bed bugs travel between flats, so treating one home is often not enough. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) advises inspecting or treating the units above, below and either side of an infested flat. This post explains why neighbours matter and how to work with them.
If you want a quick answer, start by telling your landlord or managing agent in writing. Then ask them to arrange checks of nearby homes.
Why bed bugs spread between homes
Bed bugs do not stay put. The BPCA says they migrate, so a problem in one flat can reach the homes around it. This is why the advice is about the whole building, not one bedroom.
The BPCA also says bed bugs migrate, and it lists untreated neighbouring flats as a common reason for failed treatments. Because of this, one treated flat can be reinfested from next door. The problem can then look like a failure when the cause is the building.
Bugs also arrive through belongings. Our post on bed bugs, travel and second-hand furniture explains how luggage and furniture can bring them in. In a block, that can start the problem in more than one flat at once.
Which flats to check
The BPCA advice is simple. Inspect or treat the units above, below and on either side of the flat with the problem. That way, you cover a ring of homes around the source.
Start with your own home. Our post on signs of bed bugs and where they hide shows what to look for with a torch. First, look at beds, sofas, skirting boards and the gaps behind furniture. Then ask the neighbours to check theirs.
Do not assume that the flat with the most bites is the source. The first person to notice may not be the first person affected. For that reason, a calm conversation works better than blame, and it keeps everyone willing to help. Our post on telling bed bug bites from other causes can help a neighbour judge what they are seeing before they worry.
Shared rooms and communal areas
The BPCA says shared rooms can be the source of an infestation. For example, in a block that could mean a laundry room, a storage area or a lounge. Bugs can ride in on clothes, bags and furniture.
If you see bugs in a shared space, tell your landlord or managing agent straight away. First, photograph what you find and note the date and place. Also avoid moving items out of the room in a rush, because that may carry bugs into new places.
Who coordinates treatment?
In a rented block, the landlord or managing agent often has to coordinate access and treatment. Citizens Advice sets out when a landlord must deal with pests in a rented home in England. It also notes that your tenancy terms matter. Our post on who pays when tenants have bed bugs covers the detail.
However, if you own a leasehold flat, the lease may set out who handles shared areas. Check it, then ask the managing agent in writing. Housing rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check local advice there.
Landlords and agents can read our landlord and property manager guide for how coordinated treatment works. They can also read about the Renters’ Rights Act and bed bugs. Coordination matters because treatment only works if the technician can reach every affected flat.
What councils say about shared buildings
Councils differ on what they will do. Manchester City Council, for example, classes houses in multiple occupation as commercial, which affects its residential plan. Manchester also has the highest private rented share of the English cities we studied, at 32.3% of households in the 2021 Census. Our Manchester area page has the detail.
Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council says it can treat bed bugs only in Your Homes Newcastle properties. Private renters go to its Public Safety and Regulation team. See our Newcastle area page for the wording.
In Edinburgh, the council page invites council tenants to make contact and offers insect identification. It does not name bed bugs. Our Edinburgh area page explains how we read it, and our post on whether councils treat bed bugs compares more cities.
What a good building plan includes
A plan turns a worry into a set of jobs. First, agree who is in charge, whether that is the landlord, the managing agent or a named contact. Second, list every flat that needs a check. Third, agree dates so that technicians can visit nearby units close together.
Then decide how you will share results. For example, a short message to each household after the checks keeps people informed. Meanwhile, the landlord or agent can keep one written record of dates, findings and actions. That record makes it easier to see whether the problem is shrinking.
Finally, plan a review. Treatment can take more than one visit, so ask when the contractor will check again. If the same flat keeps showing bugs, that may point to a neighbouring unit that has not been treated yet. Our post on what to expect after treatment explains the weeks that follow.
Talking to neighbours
A calm approach helps. Start by saying you have found bed bugs and that you want to stop them spreading. Then offer to share what you have learned, such as the signs to look for.
Also, avoid blame, because bed bugs can come from travel, visitors or second-hand items. Instead, suggest working together with your landlord. If a neighbour will not give access, tell your landlord or agent and keep a written record.
You can also share simple facts. The BPCA says there are no known disease risks from bed bug bites, and the NHS says bites do not usually cause other health problems. However, they can cause itching and lost sleep. Our post on whether bed bugs are dangerous may reassure a worried neighbour.
Preparing for a coordinated visit
Treatment goes better when every flat is ready. Manchester City Council says the occupier must complete preparation instructions or treatment cannot go ahead. Also, the BPCA suggests a written checklist of who does what.
So ask your contractor for one list for the whole building. Then agree the dates and the access, so nobody is left out. Keep spare keys or contact details for anyone who cannot be home. Our prepare for a visit guide has a simple checklist.
If bugs return after treatment, tell your landlord and contractor quickly. Our post on what to do when treatment fails explains how to escalate.
Finding a professional
Also, a firm that has handled shared buildings will know how to plan access and checks. Ask whether the quote covers neighbouring units, and who will coordinate. Our guide to finding a bed bug exterminator lists what to compare.
You can also request help through the form on this site. However you start, it lets you describe the building, how many flats are affected and what you have found. That gives you a starting point for talking to your landlord.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Can bed bugs spread between flats?
Yes. The British Pest Control Association says bed bugs migrate, so the units above, below and either side of an infested flat should be treated or inspected. Treating one flat alone can leave the problem alive next door.
Who arranges treatment in a block of flats?
Usually the landlord or managing agent coordinates access and treatment, though this depends on your tenancy or lease. Ask in writing who is responsible. Citizens Advice explains the position for tenants in England.
Should I tell my neighbours?
Yes, it usually helps, because treating one flat alone may not work. Keep the message calm and factual, and suggest they check for signs. If you rent, tell your landlord or agent too.
Can shared rooms be the source?
They can be. The British Pest Control Association says shared rooms can be the source of an infestation. Because of this, tell your landlord if you see bugs in laundry rooms, halls or storage areas.