London's Property Sector Warned as Bed Bug Infestations Hit Businesses and Landlords

"From rental flats to serviced apartments and boutique hotels, infestations are spreading faster than many can contain - and the financial consequences are mounting. Reports of bed bugs are not limited to residential tenants. Offices with soft furnishings, shared workspaces and even retail units have also experienced outbreaks, often traced back to staff or customers inadvertently carrying the pests in on clothing or bags."

"Landlords in boroughs such as Islington, Tower Hamlets and Hammersmith have been particularly affected, according to local property associations. One managing agent in North London described having to replace multiple sets of furniture across a block of flats after chemical sprays failed to stop recurring infestations. "It's not just the cost of replacement," the agent said. "It's the fact that tenants lose confidence in the property and demand rent reductions or early exits.""

"Traditional chemical-based treatments, once considered the default, are proving increasingly unreliable. Bed bugs have developed resistance to many insecticides, meaning infestations often return within weeks. DIY products sold online or in hardware stores are not strong enough to deal with large-scale outbreaks, and in many cases, they simply drive the insects deeper into walls, floorboards and furniture."

Bed bug infestations have surged across London, affecting rental flats, serviced apartments, boutique hotels, offices, shared workspaces and retail units. Infestations often originate when staff or customers carry pests on clothing or bags. Single infestations can escalate rapidly, causing reputational damage, lost income and legal disputes with tenants or clients. Landlords in Islington, Tower Hamlets and Hammersmith have reported recurring outbreaks and costly furniture replacements after chemical sprays failed. Chemical-based treatments are increasingly unreliable due to insecticide resistance, and DIY products often worsen infestations. More landlords and business owners are turning to pest-control experts and whole-room heat treatment raising temperatures to 49-60°C.

Read at Business Matters